Mistletoe Heights sits at a rare intersection of location, historic architecture and a wonderfully diverse mix of residents.
As a third-generation Fort Worthian who has spent nearly my entire life in Council District 9, I’ve always been drawn to neighborhoods with an urban feel and a strong sense of place. Mistletoe Heights has had that pull on me since childhood.
I grew up near TCU, graduated from Paschal, and had friends who lived in the neighborhood. As an elementary school kid, I spent many nights at my buddy Wade Chappell’s house on the bluff, and even then the area felt familiar and comfortable in a way that stuck with me.
When Heather and I married 20 years ago, we first settled in Oakhurst, an area we still love. But once kids entered the picture, I was determined that we be in the Paschal pyramid.
My grandmother graduated from Paschal in 1946, and I wanted to keep that tradition alive.
Now my son is the first of the fourth generation in our family to attend Paschal.
Beyond the benefit of the nearby schools, the neighborhood offers unmatched access to the cultural life of Fort Worth. Bass Hall, the Amon Carter Museum, the Modern, the zoo, and so much more are all 10 minutes or less from our front door. It’s a rare combination of convenience, character and community.
My appreciation for historic architecture runs deep. My grandfather served as Fort Worth’s city planning director, and my mother studied architecture at UTA. My grandmother’s home in Fairmount even carries a state historical marker.
With that kind of family background and my professional background as a real estate broker, it’s no surprise that I developed a love for historic structures and the stories they hold. Mistletoe Heights is one of a handful of historic districts in the city, and with my ties to Fort Worth’s past, it feels almost inevitable that we ended up here.
Today, I serve as a commissioner on the Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission, helping protect the neighborhoods that give Fort Worth its identity.
Historic buildings can be replicated, but they never carry the authenticity of a structure that has been continuously and lovingly preserved.
That belief is why I formally submitted a Determination of Eligibility for Mistletoe Heights to be named a National Historic District, and we are currently awaiting the official response.
Still, as special as the architecture and location are, the people are what truly define Mistletoe Heights.
The neighborhood has a remarkably diverse mix of residents who genuinely care about the community and invest their time to make it better. I’ve served as president, and currently vice president, of the Mistletoe Heights Association, but the real credit belongs to the volunteers, the people organizing events, managing city interactions, supporting our historic committee, and handling the countless small tasks that keep a neighborhood vibrant.
Everyone contributes, and that shared commitment is what makes Mistletoe Heights a true jewel in Fort Worth’s crown.
I feel incredibly fortunate to call Mistletoe Heights home. It’s a place rooted in history, strengthened by community, and shaped by people who care deeply about preserving what makes it unique.
Graham Brizendine is a real estate adviser, homebuilder and commissioner on Fort Worth’s Historic and Cultural Landmarks Commission. He lives in Mistletoe Heights with his wife and two children.
Mistletoe Heights
Total population: 3,975
Female: 54% | Male: 46%
Age
0-9: 10%
10-19: 7%
20-29: 22%
30-39: 15%
40-49: 10%
50-59: 10%
60-69: 14%
70-79: 7%
80 and older: 5%
Education
No degree: 8%
High school: 15%
Some college: 23%
Bachelor’s degree: 31%
Post-graduate: 23%
Race
White: 66.5% | Asian: 4.2% | Hispanic: 21% | Black: 4.9% | Two or more: 3.4%
Click on the links to view the Texas Education Agency ratings for schools within 1 mile:
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