Billy Bob Barnett’s Influence in Texas Covers Over 3 Decades

Texas residents and visitors alike are interested in preserving the character of the state. Understanding what makes Texas unique leads to professional success for many types of businesses.

Local business leader Billy Bob Barnett has been a leading figure in the historic restoration of the Fort Worth Stockyards and other development projects. With diverse interests in many types of businesses, Barnett has been able to restore Texan character to the area.

The Fort Worth Stockyards

Recognized as a National Historic District, the Fort Worth Stockyards has helped to preserve Texas traditions. Built in the late 1880s, the Stockyards became centers for cattle trading and processing. Ranchers brought stock from across the Southwest, and businesses in the area thrived.

The Stockyards were the largest livestock trading center in the Southwestern United States. The facilities at the Stockyard sold primarily cattle, but also hogs and sheep. In 1912, the Horse and Mule Barns were built. The area experienced a commercial peak in the 1940s.

The 1950s brought the growth of the trucking industry and the decline of rail, meaning that cattle auctions largely moved to the countryside. The Fort Worth Stockyards retain the live auctions of prize-winning and show animals, together with a twice-daily live cattle drive through the streets. Visitors are able to catch a glimpse of the unique and iconic Texas longhorns.

In the 1980s, local business owners were unhappy that the Stockyards were owned by a firm in New York. Billy Bob Barnett bought the Stockyards in 1983, returning them to local ownership. Development of the Stockyards continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Local historical societies emerged and were interested in preserving the unique character of the Stockyards while bringing in business for entertainment venues, restaurants, shops, and hotels.

The work of these local historical societies and business leaders like Barnett eventually resulted in the creation of the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic Area. Barnett was a key figure in securing the federal designation which brought $100 million in public funding to the area, enabling businesses to restore their buildings to their historical character.

Prominent Businesses

Prominent businesses in the Stockyards include nationally known nightclubs like Billy Bob’s Texas. Billy Bob’s Texas was founded by Billy Bob Barnett and a business partner in 1981 and sold to a new management group in 1988, who continue to keep the original concept and retain the character of the business.

Billy Bob’s Texas is a 100,000 square foot entertainment center and nightclub with the ability to host over 6,000 patrons nightly. The venue has live entertainment each evening with well-known country and classic rock artists like ZZ Top, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Tina Turner, and Garth Brooks headlining. With an indoor bull riding ring, Billy Bob’s Texas celebrates the Lone Star State and helps visitors to understand the character of the area.

Legislative Work

In addition to his work in historic preservation and the entertainment industry, Barnett has been involved with legislative initiatives in the state of Texas. He was instrumental in the reintroduction of horse racing, a $5.5 billion industry that creates 36,000 jobs in the state. He has also worked on local sales tax issues in Fort Worth, Dallas and Irving in addition to his important work in the Stockyards district.

Beverage Industry

Another area where Barnett has impacted the state of Texas is in beverage distribution. His Miller distributorship expanded from $1 million annually to $80 million annually after the introduction of the long neck bottle.

Business Consulting

Barnett has also been involved in business consulting for entertainment, sports, and gaming facilities. Two of these facilities include Caesars Palace and Circus Circus in Las Vegas. Barnett has been able to extend his expertise to many other businesses both inside and outside the Lone Star State, using his business knowledge to help them succeed.

Moving Forward

Currently, the Fort Worth Stockyards are undergoing further restorations and the addition of dozens of new businesses including restaurants, shops, and hotels some of which will be located in the newly renovated horse and mule barns. These hotels and restaurants are expected to bring new energy and add significantly to the economic potential of the Stockyards.

An all-encompassing, unforgettable home to everything that’s grand about Texas, The Fort Worth Stockyards continues to attract local fans as well as be a vacation-oriented entertainment amenity for travelers from Texas and the U.S. and tourists from around the globe. With a comprehensive, revitalizing vision for the future now in place, The Ft. Worth Stockyards will continue to be a huge draw for the State of Texas’ historical preservation and economy.

Business Leadership

Thanks to the efforts of local business leaders like Billy Bob Barnett and his colleagues, the historical character of the Fort Worth area and the state of Texas as a whole are being preserved. There is still work to be done, but these civic leaders will continue to make strong efforts toward preserving Texas history and encouraging new development. Mr. Barnett was inducted into the Texas Trail of Fame in 2017 and has his star beside the front entrance of Billy Bob