DFW News App

When I first visited the Garden of Eden in northeast Fort Worth, I immediately noticed the contrasts in the landscape surrounding the community. The drive into the Garden of Eden Historic District passes through industrial and commercial land uses, eventually opening up to a row of well-kept homes on the eastern side of Carson Street. A sign designating the area as “Fort Worth’s 2004 Neighborhood of the Year” stood along Carson Street — just across from a salvage yard. This juxtaposition of industry and residential life was drastic, and it echoed places I had lived before.Growing up in north Baton Rouge, Louisiana, I witnessed firsthand the impact of industrial land uses on historically Black communities. Chemical plants lined the Mississippi River, gradually expanding outward and altering the landscape. Like many historically Black communities, the neighborhoods I called home experienced transitions over time — some driven by economic shifts, others by environmental degradation. The Garden of Eden’s story is no different.The Garden of Eden was named for its fertile soil and peaceful existence along a bend in the Trinity River. Major Cheney, the first African American to purchase land in the area, acquired over 200 acres. Community members cultivated the land, growing corn, greens, peas, tomatoes, grapes, peaches, pears, plums, watermelons and pecans. They used water from the Trinity to irrigate their crops and sustain livestock. The land was a source of both nourishment and pride.However, change came in the form of infrastructure development. The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1961 led to increased demand for gravel, and mining operations began along the Trinity River, including on Major Cheney’s property. Over time, gravel pits formed, and the landscape transformed as industrial businesses replaced much of the original homesteads. Today, only about 20 descendants of the original settlers remain in the Garden of Eden, surrounded by industrial development.Despite this, the community continues to take pride in its history and heritage. In 2005, the Fort Worth City Council designated the area as the city’s first African American Historic and Cultural Landmark District.Garden of Eden is in a historic district where homes are located near industrial sites. The playground of Valley Baptist Church is part of this landscape on March 6, 2025. (Billy Banks | Fort Worth Report)My engagement with the Garden of Eden began in 2023, and it was the next year when I first visited the area during the spring 2024 semester. Research on the Garden of Eden began with the “Reclaiming Black Settlements” project, a collaboration between the College of Architecture, Planning, and Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Arlington and the residents of five freedmen’s towns along the Trinity River. Started by Austin Allen, Diane Jones Allen and Kathryn Holliday, the goal was to document these communities’ narratives and advocate for equitable development that preserves their histories.Through my work, I have taught two undergraduate studios in sustainable urban design — one in the spring of 2024 and another in the fall of that year. My students and I have worked closely with the Garden of Eden community to develop sustainable land-use planning strategies. We sought to understand the history of the place, identify environmental concerns and create a plan for restoration and preservation. The project was more than just an academic exercise; it was an opportunity to support residents in reclaiming and restoring their land.One of the most rewarding aspects of our work has been fostering a sense of belonging through landscape architecture and sustainable urban design. By engaging with the community, we have helped to reimagine open spaces, propose green infrastructure and highlight opportunities for environmental restoration. The Garden of Eden is not just a place — it is a living history of resilience, adaptation and community.UTA students obtain soil samples in the Garden of Eden to assess the land for growing. (Courtesy photo | Letora Anderson)In response to the industrial development surrounding the Garden of Eden, we conducted soil and water testing to assess whether runoff from nearby land uses is affecting the gardens and cultivated land within the district. Additionally, we examined the condition of the adjacent lake, which was formed from a former gravel pit.This story is not unique to Fort Worth. Across the country, historically Black settlements have faced similar challenges: environmental hazards, industrial encroachment and land loss. In Fort Worth’s 76119 ZIP code, where another historically Black neighborhood Echo Heights is located, residents have a life expectancy of 73.4 years — 5.3 years less than the county average. This disparity underscores the urgent need for environmental justice and sustainable community planning.Despite these challenges, the Garden of Eden stands as a testament to the strength of its residents. The community’s commitment to preserving its history and advocating for its future is inspiring. As we continue our work, I hope that our efforts will help ensure that the Garden of Eden remains a place of growth, resilience, and belonging for generations to come.Letora Anderson is an assistant professor in landscape architecture at the University of Texas at Arlington. Garden of Eden has been like a home away from home for Anderson, where she’s developed relationships with its residents and been invested in its future.Garden of Eden

Total population: 1,826Female: 51% | Male: 49%

Age0-9: 17%10-19: 12%20-29: 7%30-39: 16%40-49: 17%50-59: 10%60-69: 11%70-79: 9%80 and older: 1%

EducationNo degree: 17%High school: 42%Some college: 14%Bachelor’s degree: 13%Post-graduate: 14%

RaceWhite: 28% | Black: 2% | Hispanic: 62% | Asian: 5% | Two or more: 2%

Note: Census data is for one census tract, not the neighborhood.

Click on the link to view the schools’ Texas Education Agency ratings for schools within one mile:

IDEA Public Schools 6-8

IDEA Public Schools K-4

Winfree Academy Charter Schools

International Leadership of Texas K-5 (ILTexas)

International Leadership of Texas 6-8 (ILTexas)