Aug. 27, 1988: Mrs. Baird's Bakeries, 1701 Summit Ave. Built in 1938, the landmark closed in 1992 and was demolished to make room for the widening of Interstate 30 and its service roads. The last loaf from the ovens was given to Mayor Kay Granger. Mrs. Baird’s moved operations to a plant off I-35W near Everman.

Aug. 27, 1988: Mrs. Baird’s Bakeries, 1701 Summit Ave. Built in 1938, the landmark closed in 1992 and was demolished to make room for the widening of Interstate 30 and its service roads. The last loaf from the ovens was given to Mayor Kay Granger. Mrs. Baird’s moved operations to a plant off I-35W near Everman.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections

The Star-Telegram’s end-of-year look back at the events of 1988 was dark.

Disasters, scandals, AIDS, impeachment, drugs, pollution, a trillion-dollar deficit, Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, the deadly crash of Delta 1141 at DFW … no wonder Billy Joel wrote “We Didn’t Start the Fire” the following year.

But life wasn’t all that bad in Fort Worth in 1988, a year dominated by presidential politics (both George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis visited Cowtown). Take a look back at these photos from the Star-Telegram’s archive.

Aug. 27, 1988: Mrs. Baird's Bakeries, 1701 Summit Ave. Built in 1938, the landmark closed in 1992 and was demolished to make room for the widening of Interstate 30 and its service roads. The last loaf from the ovens was given to Mayor Kay Granger. Mrs. Baird’s moved operations to a plant off I-35W near Everman. Aug. 27, 1988: Mrs. Baird’s Bakeries, 1701 Summit Ave. Built in 1938, the landmark closed in 1992 and was demolished to make room for the widening of Interstate 30 and its service roads. The last loaf from the ovens was given to Mayor Kay Granger. Mrs. Baird’s moved operations to a plant off I-35W near Everman. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections May 22, 1988: At Colonial Country Club, movie director Bobby Roth watches as Mark Karen, left, and Tim Suhretdet set up camera shots during filming of HBO’s “Dead Solid Perfect” starring Randy Quaid. May 22, 1988: At Colonial Country Club, movie director Bobby Roth watches as Mark Karen, left, and Tim Suhretdet set up camera shots during filming of HBO’s “Dead Solid Perfect” starring Randy Quaid. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections May 1988: Downtown Fort Worth looking north up Main Street. The pedestrian plaza that would later become the center of Sundance Square is a parking lot. May 1988: Downtown Fort Worth looking north up Main Street. The pedestrian plaza that would later become the center of Sundance Square is a parking lot. Tony Record Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Jan. 10, 1988: From left, Sam Brous, Terry Montesi, Pat McDowell and Jack Huff of the commercial real estate company Huff, Brous, McDowell & Montesi Inc., which formed in 1986. The company posted a profit in 1987 and planned to hire property managers in 1988. Jan. 10, 1988: From left, Sam Brous, Terry Montesi, Pat McDowell and Jack Huff of the commercial real estate company Huff, Brous, McDowell & Montesi Inc., which formed in 1986. The company posted a profit in 1987 and planned to hire property managers in 1988. Ron T. Ennis Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections June 18, 1988: Participants in a dance competition on stage in Sycamore Park in Fort Worth during Juneteenth festivities. June 18, 1988: Participants in a dance competition on stage in Sycamore Park in Fort Worth during Juneteenth festivities. Joe D. WIlliams Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Aug. 27, 1988: Mrs. Baird’s Bakeries, 1701 Summit Ave. Built in 1938, the landmark closed in 1992 and was demolished to make room for the widening of Interstate 30 and its service roads. The last loaf from the ovens was given to Mayor Kay Granger. Mrs. Baird’s moved operations to a plant off I-35W near Everman. Aug. 27, 1988: Mrs. Baird’s Bakeries, 1701 Summit Ave. Built in 1938, the landmark closed in 1992 and was demolished to make room for the widening of Interstate 30 and its service roads. The last loaf from the ovens was given to Mayor Kay Granger. Mrs. Baird’s moved operations to a plant off I-35W near Everman. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections 1988: This photo shows the undeveloped east side of Interstate 35W before North Tarrant Parkway and Heritage Trace Boulevard were built. The U.S. 287 ramps are seen to the lower left. The neighborhood shown is Summerfields. 1988: This photo shows the undeveloped east side of Interstate 35W before North Tarrant Parkway and Heritage Trace Boulevard were built. The U.S. 287 ramps are seen to the lower left. The neighborhood shown is Summerfields. DEBRA HALE HILLWOOD 1988: Far north Fort Worth is mostly empty farmland. This photo looking northward shows Basswood Boulevard running east-west near the bottom of the photo, with U.S. 377 seen in the lower right and Interstate 35W in the distance near the top left. The construction in the foreground is the future Park Glen subdivision. Alliance does not yet exist. 1988: Far north Fort Worth is mostly empty farmland. This photo looking northward shows Basswood Boulevard running east-west near the bottom of the photo, with U.S. 377 seen in the lower right and Interstate 35W in the distance near the top left. The construction in the foreground is the future Park Glen subdivision. Alliance does not yet exist. DEBRA HALE HILLWOOD Feb. 5, 1988: Vicki Priesmeyer, 17, of Pflugerville shows off Keppie, her grand champion steer at the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show and Rodeo (today the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo). Keppie sold at auction for $35,000. The winning bidders were a partnership between John McMillan, chairman of Coors Distributing Co., and Richard Dale, president of Western Insurance Co. They donated the grand champ to Cook-Fort Worth Children’s Medical Center. Feb. 5, 1988: Vicki Priesmeyer, 17, of Pflugerville shows off Keppie, her grand champion steer at the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show and Rodeo (today the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo). Keppie sold at auction for $35,000. The winning bidders were a partnership between John McMillan, chairman of Coors Distributing Co., and Richard Dale, president of Western Insurance Co. They donated the grand champ to Cook-Fort Worth Children’s Medical Center. Star-Telegram June 25, 1988: The Tarrant County Civil Courts building, built in 1958 on the west side (Houston Street) of the 1895 courthouse. Later in 1988, a new facade was added to make the building look more similar in style to the historic courthouse. It was demolished in 2013. June 25, 1988: The Tarrant County Civil Courts building, built in 1958 on the west side (Houston Street) of the 1895 courthouse. Later in 1988, a new facade was added to make the building look more similar in style to the historic courthouse. It was demolished in 2013. Norm Tindel Star-Telegram Nov. 9, 1988: The Assembly Ball, Ridglea Country Club; from left, Shirley Garvey, Glenn S. Whipple, Cornelia Blake, and Marsland Moncrief. Nov. 9, 1988: The Assembly Ball, Ridglea Country Club; from left, Shirley Garvey, Glenn S. Whipple, Cornelia Blake, and Marsland Moncrief. Donna Lemons Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Special Collections Feb. 19, 1988: Presidential hopeful Democrat Michael Dukakis, right, examines a cowboy hat presented to him by hatmaker Tom Peters at the Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth. Feb. 19, 1988: Presidential hopeful Democrat Michael Dukakis, right, examines a cowboy hat presented to him by hatmaker Tom Peters at the Worthington Hotel in Fort Worth. Paul Moseley Star-Telegram Oct. 6, 1988: Vice President George H.W. Bush leads a group of TCU students for a jog around the track next to Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Bush, who was running for president against Michael Dukakis, went for the morning jog after speaking to a group of law enforcement officers at the Worthington Hotel. Oct. 6, 1988: Vice President George H.W. Bush leads a group of TCU students for a jog around the track next to Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. Bush, who was running for president against Michael Dukakis, went for the morning jog after speaking to a group of law enforcement officers at the Worthington Hotel. Beatrice Terrazas Star-Telegram July 19, 1988: Workers endure Texas heat while laying bricks on Camp Bowie Boulevard. The project involved removing bricks between Hillcrest and Hulen streets, redoing the foundation and returning the restored brick to the boulevard. The laborers jokingly told a reporter they called themselves the “stars of the boulevard,” “working-class heroes” and “sons of the square-winged angels.” July 19, 1988: Workers endure Texas heat while laying bricks on Camp Bowie Boulevard. The project involved removing bricks between Hillcrest and Hulen streets, redoing the foundation and returning the restored brick to the boulevard. The laborers jokingly told a reporter they called themselves the “stars of the boulevard,” “working-class heroes” and “sons of the square-winged angels.” Beatrice Terrazas Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections July 31, 1988: Susan Munson recites a poem at the funeral of her father, the Rev. Dr. Paul A. Sims, at University Christian Church. The Fort Worth minister and civil rights pioneer died of a heart attack at age 65. About 1,000 people attended the service. July 31, 1988: Susan Munson recites a poem at the funeral of her father, the Rev. Dr. Paul A. Sims, at University Christian Church. The Fort Worth minister and civil rights pioneer died of a heart attack at age 65. About 1,000 people attended the service. Beatrice Terrazas Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Sept. 20, 1988: Miss Texas, Cathy Castro, unveils her name with a yellow rose embellishment on an Air Force KC-135 tanker at Carswell Air Force Base with the help of Col. John B. Sams, commander of the 7th Bomb Wing. She was a TCU graduate in 1992. Sept. 20, 1988: Miss Texas, Cathy Castro, unveils her name with a yellow rose embellishment on an Air Force KC-135 tanker at Carswell Air Force Base with the help of Col. John B. Sams, commander of the 7th Bomb Wing. She was a TCU graduate in 1992. Paul Moseley Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Oct. 26, 1988: From left, Michael Grant, Chip Moody and Mike Moncrief at the Fort Worth Club when The Fashion Group of Fort Worth announced the names of 10 best-dressed men by public ballot. Oct. 26, 1988: From left, Michael Grant, Chip Moody and Mike Moncrief at the Fort Worth Club when The Fashion Group of Fort Worth announced the names of 10 best-dressed men by public ballot. Donna Lemons Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections April 25, 1988: Elementary school children take a break from working on a garden project to grow food for those in need. The project is part of the “Take Pride in America Vegetable Garden Project,” benefiting the Food Bank of Greater Tarrant County. April 25, 1988: Elementary school children take a break from working on a garden project to grow food for those in need. The project is part of the “Take Pride in America Vegetable Garden Project,” benefiting the Food Bank of Greater Tarrant County. Beatrice Terrazas Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Jan. 29, 1988: First-term Tarrant County District Clerk Tom Hughes with a stack of docket books used to track cases. The 31-year-old, a former General Dynamics systems analyst, was going through the process of computerizing lawsuits and other records. “Eventually,” the Star-Telegram wrote, “the clerk aims to make it possible for lawyers using IBM or IBM-compatible computers to send and receive data direction from their offices. That means lawyers could prepare, file and track their cases by computer.” Jan. 29, 1988: First-term Tarrant County District Clerk Tom Hughes with a stack of docket books used to track cases. The 31-year-old, a former General Dynamics systems analyst, was going through the process of computerizing lawsuits and other records. “Eventually,” the Star-Telegram wrote, “the clerk aims to make it possible for lawyers using IBM or IBM-compatible computers to send and receive data direction from their offices. That means lawyers could prepare, file and track their cases by computer.” Mickey Torres Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections July 13, 1988: The Alliance airport groundbreaking with Fort Worth Mayor Bob Bolen speaking on the podium. July 13, 1988: The Alliance airport groundbreaking with Fort Worth Mayor Bob Bolen speaking on the podium. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Nov. 5, 1988: A crowd gathers at the abandoned James E. Guinn School at Interstate 35W and East Rosedale Street, at the unveiling of its historical marker. The school, one of the first for Black children in Fort Worth, was named after the son of emancipated slaves from Missouri who came to Fort Worth after the Civil War. It is now an entrepreneurial campus. Nov. 5, 1988: A crowd gathers at the abandoned James E. Guinn School at Interstate 35W and East Rosedale Street, at the unveiling of its historical marker. The school, one of the first for Black children in Fort Worth, was named after the son of emancipated slaves from Missouri who came to Fort Worth after the Civil War. It is now an entrepreneurial campus. Joe D. Williams Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Sept. 21, 1988: Melba Todd and Joe and Priscilla Martin. The International Friends of the Van Cliburn Competition were at Neiman Marcus at Ridgmar Mall to celebrate the store's 25th year in Fort Worth. Sept. 21, 1988: Melba Todd and Joe and Priscilla Martin. The International Friends of the Van Cliburn Competition were at Neiman Marcus at Ridgmar Mall to celebrate the store’s 25th year in Fort Worth. Star-Telegram Nov. 1, 1988: More than 2,000 people attend a “Chautauqua ‘88,” a political rally in Sundance Square featuring candidates from both parties, ahead of the presidential election between George H.W. Bush, Michael Dukakis and Ron Paul. Nov. 1, 1988: More than 2,000 people attend a “Chautauqua ‘88,” a political rally in Sundance Square featuring candidates from both parties, ahead of the presidential election between George H.W. Bush, Michael Dukakis and Ron Paul. RON JENKINS STAR-TELEGRAM Aug. 24, 1988: Martha Sorrel and Debbie Houser attend the Outdoor Benefit II for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, held at 2100 Main St. Cafe on fringe of Fort Worth's Stockyards area. Aug. 24, 1988: Martha Sorrel and Debbie Houser attend the Outdoor Benefit II for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, held at 2100 Main St. Cafe on fringe of Fort Worth’s Stockyards area. Donna Lemons Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Nov. 16, 1988: L. Clifford Davis, former Tarrant County judge and former attorney for the Fort Worth chapter of the NAACP, who helped bring about peaceful transition to desegregation and school integration in Fort Worth in the 1960s. Davis was one of numerous Democrats who lost the 1988 election, when many Republicans voted straight-ticket for George H.W. Bush. Nov. 16, 1988: L. Clifford Davis, former Tarrant County judge and former attorney for the Fort Worth chapter of the NAACP, who helped bring about peaceful transition to desegregation and school integration in Fort Worth in the 1960s. Davis was one of numerous Democrats who lost the 1988 election, when many Republicans voted straight-ticket for George H.W. Bush. Jerry W. Hoefer Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Feb. 18, 1988: Gary Hart speaks at Tarrant County Junior College (now TCC) as a Democratic presidential hopeful. Feb. 18, 1988: Gary Hart speaks at Tarrant County Junior College (now TCC) as a Democratic presidential hopeful. Joyce Marshall Star-Telegram Dec. 3, 1988: The Christmas home tour, in the Woody home on Elizabeth Avenue in Ryan Place. Dec. 3, 1988: The Christmas home tour, in the Woody home on Elizabeth Avenue in Ryan Place. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection/UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections Nov. 13, 1988: Working to revive Billy Bob’s Texas honky-tonk in the Fort Worth Stockyards are, from left, Don Jury, Steven Murrin and Ken Brixey. Nov. 13, 1988: Working to revive Billy Bob’s Texas honky-tonk in the Fort Worth Stockyards are, from left, Don Jury, Steven Murrin and Ken Brixey. Beatrice Terrazas Fort Worth Star-Telegram archive/UT Arlington Special Collections 1988: Fort Worth Mayor Bob Bolen at a UAW picnic. 1988: Fort Worth Mayor Bob Bolen at a UAW picnic. Star-Telegram

This story was originally published March 9, 2026 at 4:10 PM.