812 Main Street
Fort Worth, Texas
www.delfriscos.com
In the 19th century, this area, now part of downtown Fort Worth, was known as Hell's Half Acre—a rough and rowdy district where outlaws enjoyed saloons, brothels, and gambling dens without anyone bothering them. This very address, where a two-story building with dark wood paneling now stands and houses Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse, was home to a bathhouse in the 19th century. It is said that a man was shot in the head and killed there. He apparently still wanders the hallways, which have been converted into banquet rooms and an upstairs bar. Although this steakhouse serves truly excellent steaks, during my visit I was mainly interested in the ghost.
As for Hell's Half Acre, I knew that it encompassed a large part of what is now the southern section of downtown Fort Worth and once stretched from Seventh Street to Fifteenth Street. According to legend, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid enjoyed themselves here, as did Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, to name just a few. So it is no surprise that several murders took place here, along with some intriguing stories involving trouble in brothels and prostitution. In fact, it is said that a beautiful young woman filled the bathtub by hand for the murdered man at the bathhouse, where he took his last hot bath.
After several disturbing incidents, such as a prostitute being found nailed to the door of a building, and, of course, the famous shootout involving Jim Courtright, who tried but failed to clean up the “Acre,” a major effort was made to clean up Hell's Half Acre. Eventually, Reverend J. Frank Norris decided to take serious action not only against the district but also against the corrupt city leaders. He encountered difficulties, but by 1917, Hell's Half Acre had virtually disappeared.
Today, in addition to the possible ghost of the murdered man, the staff will sometimes tell you about footsteps that belong to no one and can be heard after the restaurant closes. There are also the usual signs, such as cold spots, a gentle touch on the shoulder from an unseen hand, or simply the feeling that someone is watching you even though the room is otherwise empty.
Go there for a steak—it's one of the best in town. But while you're there, look around and see what else you discover.
