Century-Old Rivercrest Balances Close Urban Life with a Quiet Lifestyle

By Rick Mauch
Candy’s Dirt Contributor

For over a century, the Rivercrest neighborhood has been an elite place to live in west Fort Worth. Along with some of the most well-crafted and historic homes in the city, it is near downtown, yet quiet enough to raise a family.

Technically named Crestline — although no one calls it that — the neighborhood dates to 1911 when the first house was built there. Shortly before 1920, it grew immensely when leading oilmen started choosing it for their residences, a trend that has continued for the past 100-plus years.

The area has the highest average household income in the city, with households earning more than $200,000.

The neighborhood features one beautiful home after another. Those fortunate enough to live on the bluff on Crestline Drive have some breathtaking views overlooking the nearby river.

Good luck getting into one of those, however.

Rarely do they go on the market. Homes valued at $1 million or more are not uncommon in Rivercrest. That’s well over double the average price of a home elsewhere in Fort Worth. According to Neighborhoods.com, homes run an average of $441 per square foot.

The Baldridge House, a Georgian mansion built as the neighborhood was just beginning, has been beautifully preserved. In 1978, it was designated as a Texas Historic Landmark by the Texas Historical Commission.

The neighborhood also has modern touches. An interesting home on 4024 Bryce was once owned by pop artist known as Erzseke, a graduate of TCU. The eclectic-designed home was listed for $2.85 million.

In short, the 76107 ZIP code, where Rivercrest sits, is one of the most sought-after and exclusive places to live in the city. Its laid-back atmosphere creates an excellent blend of urban and suburban life, an escape from the city with that same city being just a short distance away for those with downtown employment or who just want to take in the entertainment and culture the area offers.

The neighborhood is also home to one of the top 100 high schools in the state — the Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences, situated on the grounds of Tarrant County College’s Trinity River Campus. It spotlights students in grades 9-12 who are seeking careers in the demanding fields of biomedical sciences, offering hands-on experiences for all grades.

Other top-notch schools in the area include Arlington Heights High School, North Hi Mount Elementary, and Stripling Middle schools.

The neighborhood is north of Camp Boulevard just west of the arts district.

As for entertainment and culture, nearby are the Kimbell Art Museum, the Modern Art Museum, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, and the Fort Worth Zoo, which is rated one of the nation’s top zoos. Also nearby is Dickies Arena, which hosts big-time sporting events, such as the NCAA Basketball Tournament, along with concerts featuring the likes of Paul McCartney and Rod Stewart, and much more.

The River Crest Country Club, which was established around the same time as the neighborhood (after all, it bears the same name), is the oldest golf course in Fort Worth, preceded in North Texas only by the Dallas Country Club (built in 1896). River Crest Country Club was among the first in the state to include residential development on its acreage.

Many of the homes in the neighborhood have outstanding views of this iconic course.
Rivercrest is also a safer neighborhood for residents. The crime rate is below Fort Worth’s average.