Sept. 30, 1990: Mansfield Drive-in on East Seminary Drive, Fort Worth. There is a sign visible that reads “The Mansfield Theatre” with a list of movies underneath, including The Exorcist III, Die Hard 2, Flatliners, and Another 48 Hrs.

Sept. 30, 1990: Mansfield Drive-in on East Seminary Drive, Fort Worth. There is a sign visible that reads “The Mansfield Theatre” with a list of movies underneath, including The Exorcist III, Die Hard 2, Flatliners, and Another 48 Hrs.

Milton Adams

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections

The year was 1990.

Fort Worth’s population was 447,619, less than half of what it is today. Interstate 30 was still an elevated highway over West Lancaster Avenue. A pound of ground beef cost $1.50, and CBS filmed “Happy New Year, America,” on New Year’s Eve at Billy Bob’s Texas.

Take a look back at these scenes from around Fort Worth, captured by Star-Telegram photographers in 1990.

Want more historic photos from the S-T? Scroll to the bottom of this story to browse more of our galleries.

April 1990: An aerial of downtown Fort Worth, looking northwest at the Mixmaster interchange of Interstates 35 and 30. This photo shows where Interstate 30 was an elevated highway over West Lancaster Avenue, a decade before it was realigned to the south closer to the railroad tracks. April 1990: An aerial of downtown Fort Worth, looking northwest at the Mixmaster interchange of Interstates 35 and 30. This photo shows where Interstate 30 was an elevated highway over West Lancaster Avenue, a decade before it was realigned to the south closer to the railroad tracks. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections Sept. 30, 1990: Riverside Drive-in theater converted to golf range along Northeast 28th Street in Fort Worth. The rotted frame for the movie screen is in background. Sept. 30, 1990: Riverside Drive-in theater converted to golf range along Northeast 28th Street in Fort Worth. The rotted frame for the movie screen is in background. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections Dec. 6, 1990: CBS cameraman Palmer Moynihan videotapes patrons of Billy Bob’s Texas for “Happy New Year America,” a special set to air on New Year’s Eve. Dec. 6, 1990: CBS cameraman Palmer Moynihan videotapes patrons of Billy Bob’s Texas for “Happy New Year America,” a special set to air on New Year’s Eve. Ricky Moon Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections April 1990: Aerial of downtown Fort Worth, looking northeast, showing construction of the Tandy building expansion, which today is the Tarrant County Plaza Building. The jail and courts buildings are in the foreground. April 1990: Aerial of downtown Fort Worth, looking northeast, showing construction of the Tandy building expansion, which today is the Tarrant County Plaza Building. The jail and courts buildings are in the foreground. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections March 8, 1990: Protesters stage a rally outside Fort Worth's John Peter Smith Hospital seeking better services for AIDS patients. March 8, 1990: Protesters stage a rally outside Fort Worth’s John Peter Smith Hospital seeking better services for AIDS patients. Jerry W. Hoefer Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections April 22, 1990: Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson, left, Emmitt Smith, center, and owner Jerry Jones make their way to a press conference announcing Smith as the Cowboys’ No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. April 22, 1990: Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson, left, Emmitt Smith, center, and owner Jerry Jones make their way to a press conference announcing Smith as the Cowboys’ No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. Ron Jenkins Star-Telegram Sept. 30, 1990: Mansfield Drive-in on East Seminary Drive, Fort Worth. There is a sign visible that reads “The Mansfield Theatre” with a list of movies underneath, including The Exorcist III, Die Hard 2, Flatliners, and Another 48 Hrs. Sept. 30, 1990: Mansfield Drive-in on East Seminary Drive, Fort Worth. There is a sign visible that reads “The Mansfield Theatre” with a list of movies underneath, including The Exorcist III, Die Hard 2, Flatliners, and Another 48 Hrs. Milton Adams Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections June 16, 1990: Members of the Junior Debutantes of Fort Worth participating in the Juneteenth parade. They are seen carrying signs reading "The Big Day is June 19" and "Jr. Debs 1990." June 16, 1990: Members of the Junior Debutantes of Fort Worth participating in the Juneteenth parade. They are seen carrying signs reading “The Big Day is June 19” and “Jr. Debs 1990.” Jerry W. Hoefer Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections April 1, 1990: Aerial of the Will Rogers complex showing Exhibit Hall and Equestrian Center, looking northeast. Along the top of the image is Camp Bowie Boulevard, the Kimbell Art Museum and West Seventh Street, long before redevelopment transformed the Cultural District. April 1, 1990: Aerial of the Will Rogers complex showing Exhibit Hall and Equestrian Center, looking northeast. Along the top of the image is Camp Bowie Boulevard, the Kimbell Art Museum and West Seventh Street, long before redevelopment transformed the Cultural District. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections Aug. 19, 1990: B. Don Magness poses with his new Jaguar and personalized license plates at the Will Rogers complex. Magness was a larger-than-life civic leader and longtime chair of the Miss Texas pageant. Aug. 19, 1990: B. Don Magness poses with his new Jaguar and personalized license plates at the Will Rogers complex. Magness was a larger-than-life civic leader and longtime chair of the Miss Texas pageant. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram Nov. 1, 1990: Aerial view of Color Tile building, 515 Houston St., Fort Worth. Today the building (known as STS Tower and Sanger Building) has a CVS at the corner of Houston and West Fifth streets. Nov. 1, 1990: Aerial view of Color Tile building, 515 Houston St., Fort Worth. Today the building (known as STS Tower and Sanger Building) has a CVS at the corner of Houston and West Fifth streets. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections March 15, 1990: Marty Leonard, right, and construction supervisor John Snyder, at the construction site for Marty Leonard Community Chapel, off Hulen Street and I-30. March 15, 1990: Marty Leonard, right, and construction supervisor John Snyder, at the construction site for Marty Leonard Community Chapel, off Hulen Street and I-30. Jerry W. Hoefer Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections Jan. 5, 1990: Don Roberts, Fort Worth ISD superintendent, visits with North Hi Mount Elementary students Danny Rodriquez, Olivia Simpkins, Joseph Grindle and Saquarius Mayberry. Jan. 5, 1990: Don Roberts, Fort Worth ISD superintendent, visits with North Hi Mount Elementary students Danny Rodriquez, Olivia Simpkins, Joseph Grindle and Saquarius Mayberry. Star-Telegram Sept. 17, 1990: Frank Diaz takes his children Ceci, left, and Frankie for a ride on the carousel at the 16 de Septiembre Fiesta at Marine Park in Fort Worth. Sept. 17, 1990: Frank Diaz takes his children Ceci, left, and Frankie for a ride on the carousel at the 16 de Septiembre Fiesta at Marine Park in Fort Worth. Matt Brunworth Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections Sept. 19, 1990: Maudrie M. Walton Elementary school third-grader Tatiana Keeling poses a question to CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather, who was invited to the school as part of KDFW’s “Great Expectations for Texas” campaign, a two-year spotlight on education. Sept. 19, 1990: Maudrie M. Walton Elementary school third-grader Tatiana Keeling poses a question to CBS Evening News anchor Dan Rather, who was invited to the school as part of KDFW’s “Great Expectations for Texas” campaign, a two-year spotlight on education. Joyce Marshall Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections March 8, 1990: Robert Hughes, head basketball coach at Dunbar High School, accepts good-luck wishes from a crowd of students, parents and teachers from Maudrie Walton Elementary School before the team's departure to Austin for the state championship tournament. March 8, 1990: Robert Hughes, head basketball coach at Dunbar High School, accepts good-luck wishes from a crowd of students, parents and teachers from Maudrie Walton Elementary School before the team’s departure to Austin for the state championship tournament. Norm Tindell Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections March 14, 1990: Celebrating political victories are Toby and Gloria Goodman, Chris and Tammy Harris, and Kent and Barbara Grusendorf. March 14, 1990: Celebrating political victories are Toby and Gloria Goodman, Chris and Tammy Harris, and Kent and Barbara Grusendorf. Brent Winn Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections June 3, 1990: Members of the Tarrant County Gay Pride Week Association carry a banner in front of a color guard of gay and lesbian veterans during the Gay Pride Week. They’re marching north on South Jennings Avenue, with the Fort Worth High School building visible at left. June 3, 1990: Members of the Tarrant County Gay Pride Week Association carry a banner in front of a color guard of gay and lesbian veterans during the Gay Pride Week. They’re marching north on South Jennings Avenue, with the Fort Worth High School building visible at left. Joyce Marshall Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections Nov. 19, 1990: Leann Adams, a teacher at Paschal High School's experimental Essential School, which brings about 200 students into closer contact with certain subjects. Nov. 19, 1990: Leann Adams, a teacher at Paschal High School’s experimental Essential School, which brings about 200 students into closer contact with certain subjects. Jerry W. Hoefer Fort Worth Star-Telegram July 30, 1990: The Rev. Brenda Hunt of Agape Metropolitan Community Church in Fort Worth. July 30, 1990: The Rev. Brenda Hunt of Agape Metropolitan Community Church in Fort Worth. Carolyn Bauman Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections Dec. 5, 1990: Much of far north Fort Worth was rural farmland before AllianceTexas. Dec. 5, 1990: Much of far north Fort Worth was rural farmland before AllianceTexas. Mark Rogers Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections July 1990: Cookie Lockhart, of Auction Company of America, takes bids during liquidation of Nelson Bunker Hunt's assets at Circle T Ranch in Westlake. July 1990: Cookie Lockhart, of Auction Company of America, takes bids during liquidation of Nelson Bunker Hunt’s assets at Circle T Ranch in Westlake. Beatrice Terrazas Star-Telegram

MORE: Check out Star-Telegram archive photos in our collection here, including:

Dolly Parton’s 1977 concert in Fort Worth’s Panther HallFort Worth’s long-gone grocery stores100 years of Boy Scouts in Fort Worth/North TexasFort Worth’s Forest Park Zoo in the 1940s-50sLong-lost restaurants of Fort WorthHollywood movie stars in Fort WorthPaschal High School in the 1950sElvis Presley in Fort WorthPresident Jimmy Carter’s visit to Fort Worth in 1978Historic photos of Fort Worth Stock Show parade1972 demolition of 18-story Worth HotelLeonards Department Store in 1940s-50sFort Worth housewives in 1952 prepare for ThanksgivingWeatherford, Texas, from 1870s to 1950sPresident Kennedy in Fort Worth, the day he diedBilly Bob’s Texas, 1981 grand opening1939 opening of West Lancaster bridge in Fort WorthKeller, Texas, during the 1920s-1950sGreater Fort Worth International Airport, 1953 openingFort Worth Stock Show, 1930s to 1950sQueen Elizabeth visits Texas in 1991Fort Worth snowfalls, from 1880s to 1950sLabor Day in Fort Worth over the decadesSept. 11, 2001, in Fort Worth and DFW airportChurches in the Fort Worth region, back to the 1800s

This story was originally published February 24, 2026 at 2:38 PM.

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Matt Leclercq

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Matt Leclercq is senior managing editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He previously was an editor at USA Today in Washington, national news editor at Gatehouse Media in Austin, and executive editor of The Fayetteville (NC) Observer. He’s a New Orleans native.