History buffs, this one’s for you. More than one year since a gas explosion shook the streets of downtown, the Sandman Signature Hotel remains temporarily closed with plans to reopen later this year.

While we wait for the official reopening of the hotel, let’s brush up on our knowledge of the structure itself. The W. T. Waggoner building — located on Houston Street — holds a century’s worth of history, so grab a cup of coffee and settle in.

What is the story behind the building?

The building was built by William Thomas (W. T.) Waggoner in 1920 for $1.5 million. It officially opened on March 8, making this Saturday its 105th birthday. It was one of the tallest buildings in Texas at the time, before 714 Main came along, which is now home to the Kimpton Harper Hotel.

This postcard features a drawing of the W.T. Waggoner building with people walking next to it. | Photo courtesy of UTA Libraries

Who was W. T. Waggoner?

W. T. Waggoner was a rancher, oilman, and banker born on August 31, 1852 in Hopkins County, Texas. His dad, Daniel Waggoner, owned the Waggoner Ranch in Vernon. It was there that the family accidentally discovered oil while out drilling for water. With plenty of wealth in his pockets, Waggoner moved to Fort Worth in 1904 and dabbled in several business affairs. He became the director of First National Bank and, with the help of architecture firm Sanguinet & Staats, became the builder of what we know today as the W. T. Waggoner building.

When the building first opened, it was home to the National Bank of Commerce + 37 years later, the bank merged to become the Continental National Bank. The neoclassical architecture of the building is a nod to the Equitable Building in New York City.

In 1933, Fort Worth awarded Waggoner the honorary title of "First Citizen of Fort Worth," just a year later, he died on December 11, 1934. His final resting place is at Oakwood Cemetery. The Waggoner family ranch sold in 2016, but its 535,000 acres remains the largest ranch in the state of Texas within one fence.

105 years strong

The Waggoner Building earned a place on the National Historic Register. | Rendering courtesy of Northland Properties

The Waggoner building has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979. In 1985, the building underwent restoration to become the headquarters of XTO Energy. It wasn't until 2019 that Northland Properties acquired the building and unveiled its plan to convert the building into a 245-room hotel. Enter Sandman Signature.

Perhaps W. T. Waggoner deserves a permanent spot on Fort Worth's Mount Rushmore. Tell us what history piece you'd like to learn about next.