Harbor Group History - by Terri Rimmer, originally published by Associated Content, 2006

Most people do not know that Bill W., co-founder of Alcoholic Anonymous (AA), spoke at the Harbor Group in Fort Worth, TX once.

The group also happens to be the first AA club in the city.

Located near the cultural district, the Harbor Group is a popular spot for people in recovery, hosting many events besides the daily meetings that are held as early as 7 a.m. They also have meetings at 9, 11, 12, 1, 6, and 7:30 p.m. depending on the day of the week. The first Wednesday of each month birthday night is held at 7:15 p.m. for people in recovery to celebrate milestones in their sobriety.

In Sept. 2001, Harbor, located at 3000 W. 5th Street, was the site for a huge fundraiser for a fellow member who was battling cancer.

The unusual event which was practically standing room only raised $10,000 for this member's medical expenses. Nowhere else would you see a pie get auctioned off for $50.00. This particular female member, who had been sober over 30 years, had been the secretary for AA Central Office for many years.

Searcy W. of Dallas helped sober up Ebby T., Bill W.'s sponsor in the 1950s. Searcy passed away in Sept. 2003, having been a member of the White House Group. Searcy, who had 55 years sober and died at the age of 93, was also the founder and sponsor of the Gathering of the Eagles Old-Timers Convention/Reunion. An old-time in sobriety refers to someone who has multiple years of not drinking.

Searcy was born in 1910 and his wife was one of the founding members of the first Alanon groups in Dallas.

From the 1750s to the 1800s sobriety circles were formed which mimic the circle that is formed after an AA meeting when the Lord's Prayer is said.

AA was founded in 1935 by Bill W. and Dr. Bob S. with the book "Alcoholics Anonymous" published in 1939. In the early 1950s, membership surpassed 90,000.

Lois W., Bill W's wife, established a Clearing House for the growing number of Alanon Family Groups in 1951.

The late author Joe Worth wrote Bill's story and possibly Chapter 8/To the Wives in the AA textbook (Alcoholics Anonymous) also nicknamed "The Big Book."

Like all recovery groups today, the Harbor Group has evolved to include more young and gay people as well as recovering drug addicts. In the old days these individuals were not so welcome in recovery circles.

Many people also do not know that there is a well-established poker game that goes on upstairs at the Harbor Group on a regular basis.

The phone number for Harbor is 817-336-5255.