The Last Era of Escalators
Ridgmar Mall opened in 1976 near Interstate 30, at the edge of Fort Worth’s westward buildout. Dillard’s, JCPenney, and Neiman Marcus anchored the site.
A year later, Sears filled the remaining slot. The layout was typical for its time: wide corridors, two levels, and natural light near the center.
The escalators ran quietly. People stayed longer than they planned. Traffic moved in loops. The space didn’t aim to impress. It aimed to work. In the early years, it did…