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Paula Louise Blincoe, front, and Wardell Whitley look closely at details of the Historic Wall art installation at the Fort Worth Central Station on Feb. 28, 2024. Blincoe and Whitley worked together on the murals over 20 years ago. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)
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Two decades ago, Wardell Whitley modeled for artist Paula Louise Blincoe. She used him as a reference point for a mural depicting Fort Worth’s Black history. 

They recently reunited at the anniversary of the Historic Wall at Fort Worth Central Station. They laughed as they reminisced about the time they spent over three weeks capturing every angle of Whitley needed for the art piece. 

“This means so much to me. It has brought me so much inspiration,” Whitley said.

The Historic Wall is a set of five murals that honor the history of Fort Worth’s Black community. Each mural captures a period of the commercial and warehouse district that neighbored Fort Worth Central Station from 1865 to 1940. Each piece shows community members and their contributions to Fort Worth.

“These murals represent the people who helped us shape our city with innovations, strength, as well as joy,” Brenda Sanders-Wise, executive director at Tarrant County Black Historical & Genealogical Society Inc., told a crowd during a ceremony at Fort Worth Central Station.

Five murals line the Historic Wall in Fort Worth Central Station on Feb. 28, 2024. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

Paula Louise Blincoe stands next to the Historic Wall on Feb 28, 2024. She worked on the art installation more than 20 years ago. After thorough research and interviews, she carved 75 years worth of Black history. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

Wardell Whitley stands in front of Panel A of the Historic Wall at the Fort Worth Central Station on Feb. 28, 2024. Whitley was a model used as a reference for the blacksmith shown on the panel. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

Attendees gather around the art installation at the ceremony celebrating the 22nd anniversary of the Historic Wall at the Fort Worth Central Station on Feb. 28, 2024. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

Trinity Metro CEO Rich Andreski speaks to a crowd gathered inside the Fort Worth Central Station on Feb. 28, 2024. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

Attendees clap during the ceremony for the 22nd anniversary of the Historic Wall at Fort Worth Central Station on Feb. 28, 2024. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

Artist Paula Louise Blincoe speaks during the 22nd anniversary of the Historic Wall at Fort Worth Central Station on Feb. 28, 2024. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

Panel A of the Historic Wall at Fort Worth Central Station is seen on Feb. 28, 2024. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

I.M. Terrell School’s state champion basketball team was carved into Panel D in the Historic Wall at the Fort Worth Central Station, as seen on Feb. 28, 2024. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

Panel C depicts a representation of Black history in Fort Worth from 1900 to 1920 on the Historic Wall at Fort Worth Central Station on Feb. 28, 2024. (Camilo Diaz | Fort Worth Report)

Camilo Diaz is a multimedia fellow at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at camilo.diaz@fortworthreport.org. At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.