In the late hours of January 2, 2024, Fort Worth Fire Engine 15 responded to a distress call reporting a heavy fire at the Brown/Tadlock House, a locally designated Historic & Cultural Landmark located at 2117 NW 24th Street.
Upon arrival just before 10:45 pm, firefighters discovered the two-story structure engulfed in flames. Despite their quick response, the crews could only contain the fire to the main building, resulting in substantial damage to the historical property.
The Brown/Tadlock House, constructed in 1909 in the Colonial Revival style, holds significant cultural and historical value for the community. Originally built for Benjamin B. Brown, an employee of Swift and Company, the house was later acquired by James A. Tadlock, a prosperous livestock dealer and broker, in 1919. Tadlock, a partner in the Livestock Commission Company, Tuttle and Tadlock, owned the house until 1978.
The architectural beauty of the Brown/Tadlock House is characterized by its large, two-story structure clad in false bevel drop siding. The front features a full temple front portico supported by four Corinthian columns, and the hipped roof displays wide eaves with a simple classical frieze. Over the years, the house underwent modifications, including a later addition of a diamond-shaped window and an iron railing above the cornice.
Despite the extensive damage caused by the fire, there were no reported injuries, and the cause of the incident is currently under investigation. The City of Fort Worth Preservation & Design Development Services and Tarrant County Historic Resources Survey played crucial roles in documenting and preserving the historical significance of the Brown/Tadlock House, situated in the Upper North Side.
