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History of Dallas, Texas, USA
Journey back in time to Dallas, Texas, USA
Explore Dallas, Texas, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Dallas Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!
The integrated circuit computer chip (which became the microchip) was invented in Dallas in 1958.
The frozen margarita machine was invented in Dallas.
The first convenience store, 7-eleven, got its start in Dallas.
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Dallas Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Titche-Goettinger Bldg., Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Main Street, showing City National Bank, Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas, USA
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Race Track, State Fair Park, Dallas, Texas
Discover Dallas: History, News, Travel, and Stories
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1854 - Dallas
Dallas, a thriving post- village, capital of Dallas county, Texas, on the Trinity river, just below the mouth of the Elm fork, about 215 miles N. N. E. from Austin City. It is situated in the region known as the "Three forks of the Trinity." It had in 1851, 5 dry- goods stores.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
Dallas, a thriving post- village, capital of Dallas county, Texas, on the Trinity river, just below the mouth of the Elm fork, about 215 miles N. N. E. from Austin City. It is situated in the region known as the "Three forks of the Trinity." It had in 1851, 5 dry- goods stores.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.
1895 - Dallas
Dallas, a flourishing town, capital of Dallas co., Tex., on Trinity River, about a mile below the mouth of the West Fork, and on the Houston & Texas Central Railroad where it crosses the Texas & Pacific Railroad, 265 miles N.N.W. of Houston, and 73 miles S. of Denison. It is the most important place in Northern Texas. It contains a court-house, a convent, 10 national banks, several other banks, the Dallas Female College, a post-office of the first class, a Jewish synagogue, 33 churches, the Dallas College, a medical institute, 3 iron-foundries, 2 grain-elevators, 6 flour-mills, 2 planing-mills, a cotton-factory, a woollen factory, 3 soap-factories, gas-works, electric-light works, &c. Two daily and 7 weekly newspapers are published here. Pop, in 1890, 38,067
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Dallas, a flourishing town, capital of Dallas co., Tex., on Trinity River, about a mile below the mouth of the West Fork, and on the Houston & Texas Central Railroad where it crosses the Texas & Pacific Railroad, 265 miles N.N.W. of Houston, and 73 miles S. of Denison. It is the most important place in Northern Texas. It contains a court-house, a convent, 10 national banks, several other banks, the Dallas Female College, a post-office of the first class, a Jewish synagogue, 33 churches, the Dallas College, a medical institute, 3 iron-foundries, 2 grain-elevators, 6 flour-mills, 2 planing-mills, a cotton-factory, a woollen factory, 3 soap-factories, gas-works, electric-light works, &c. Two daily and 7 weekly newspapers are published here. Pop, in 1890, 38,067
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1916
Dallas, a city, capital of Dallas co., Tex., on the Trinity River, about a mile below the mouth of the West Fork, and on the Gulf. Colorado and Santa Fe, the Houston and Texas Central, the Texas and Pacific and other railroads, 265 miles NNW. of Houston. It is the most important place in northern Texas. It has several institutes of higher education for both men and women (including a female university in the suburb of Oak Cliff), Roman Catholic and Protestant- Episcopal cathedrals, a large court-house and city-hall, and the Confederate monument, erected in 1897. Its manufacturing and other industries are represented by cotton-, woollen- and flouring-mills, ginneries, compresses, several iron-foundries, machine-shops, wire-works, etc. It is an important cotton- and grain-centre and a shipping point for live-stock and farming-implements and machinery. Pop. in 1890, 38,067 ; in 1900, 42,638.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
Dallas, a city, capital of Dallas co., Tex., on the Trinity River, about a mile below the mouth of the West Fork, and on the Gulf. Colorado and Santa Fe, the Houston and Texas Central, the Texas and Pacific and other railroads, 265 miles NNW. of Houston. It is the most important place in northern Texas. It has several institutes of higher education for both men and women (including a female university in the suburb of Oak Cliff), Roman Catholic and Protestant- Episcopal cathedrals, a large court-house and city-hall, and the Confederate monument, erected in 1897. Its manufacturing and other industries are represented by cotton-, woollen- and flouring-mills, ginneries, compresses, several iron-foundries, machine-shops, wire-works, etc. It is an important cotton- and grain-centre and a shipping point for live-stock and farming-implements and machinery. Pop. in 1890, 38,067 ; in 1900, 42,638.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
1916 - FOUR KILLED WHEN AWNING COLLAPSES. WERE WATCHING PREPAREDNESS PARADE WHEN HEAVY SHADE GIVES WAY. MANY OTHERS HURT.
IMMENSE CROWD MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR AID TO REACH INJURED AT ONCE.
Dallas, May 30. - Four persons were killed, two of them instantly, when a wooden awning, suspended by chains in front of a store in the heart of the business district, collapsed late this afternoon while an immense crowd was witnessing a demonstration in favor of preparedness.
The dead:
ALBERT CANNON, aged about 40.
MRS. F. E. ALLEN, aged 70.
A. E. LOTT, aged 60.
MILDRED BUTLER, aged 12.
A score of others were injured, some probably fatally. The crowd watching the parade had surged forward at the approach of a band. Persons standing on the awning crowded near the edge, and under the increased weight the structure tore itself loose from the supporting chains and crashed to the ground. At least a ton of bricks and mortar followed from the wall behind. On account of the crowd it was impossible for several minutes to render aid to those injured. One of the dead died in a drug store nearby while another died in... Read MORE...
IMMENSE CROWD MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR AID TO REACH INJURED AT ONCE.
Dallas, May 30. - Four persons were killed, two of them instantly, when a wooden awning, suspended by chains in front of a store in the heart of the business district, collapsed late this afternoon while an immense crowd was witnessing a demonstration in favor of preparedness.
The dead:
ALBERT CANNON, aged about 40.
MRS. F. E. ALLEN, aged 70.
A. E. LOTT, aged 60.
MILDRED BUTLER, aged 12.
A score of others were injured, some probably fatally. The crowd watching the parade had surged forward at the approach of a band. Persons standing on the awning crowded near the edge, and under the increased weight the structure tore itself loose from the supporting chains and crashed to the ground. At least a ton of bricks and mortar followed from the wall behind. On account of the crowd it was impossible for several minutes to render aid to those injured. One of the dead died in a drug store nearby while another died in... Read MORE...
1930 - Downtown Blaze Sweeps Through Block - Thousands See $100,000 Fire Defy Fighters - Radio Exaggeration of Size Adds to Crowd; Full Crew Called.
Two Dare Death
Busses Driven Through Flaming Wall; Barrels Blast in Volley.
With exploding paint barrels throwing flames high into the air, fire Friday night swept a spectacular path through a downtown business block. Damage was estimated at $100,000.
The damaged property fronted the 600 blocks of Commerce and Jackson streets, between Jefferson and Market streets.
A radio announcer from a near-by studio, seeing the flames, announced the location and described the scenic effects with such gusto that a gigantic crowd of onlookers pressed to the scene.
The Dixie Motor Coach Corporation shops, 605-11 Jackson street, were destroyed. The blaze swept through the rear of the vacated West End Athletic Club room, 606 Commerce street, badly damaging it, and ate into the J. Finks dry goods company, 604 Commerce street, wrecking that place.
Gets to Hotel.
The blaze then leaped to the Rex Hotel, on the second floor of the two-story brick at 600 Commerce, at Jefferson. The hotel was ... Read MORE...
Two Dare Death
Busses Driven Through Flaming Wall; Barrels Blast in Volley.
With exploding paint barrels throwing flames high into the air, fire Friday night swept a spectacular path through a downtown business block. Damage was estimated at $100,000.
The damaged property fronted the 600 blocks of Commerce and Jackson streets, between Jefferson and Market streets.
A radio announcer from a near-by studio, seeing the flames, announced the location and described the scenic effects with such gusto that a gigantic crowd of onlookers pressed to the scene.
The Dixie Motor Coach Corporation shops, 605-11 Jackson street, were destroyed. The blaze swept through the rear of the vacated West End Athletic Club room, 606 Commerce street, badly damaging it, and ate into the J. Finks dry goods company, 604 Commerce street, wrecking that place.
Gets to Hotel.
The blaze then leaped to the Rex Hotel, on the second floor of the two-story brick at 600 Commerce, at Jefferson. The hotel was ... Read MORE...
1932 - FOUR PERISH, FIVE HURT IN DALLAS HOTEL FIRE. ALARM SOUNDED BY GIRL SAVES MANY LIVES. VICTIMS TRAPPED WHILE ASLEEP IN SMALL SECOND STORY DOWNTOWN HOTEL.
Dallas, March 22. (AP) - Four men, two of them cripples were trapped in their rooms and burned to death early today when fire swept the Elm Hotel, a small second story establishment in the downtown district. Five others were injured.
The Dead.
The dead were identified as:
W. H. BODENHEIMER, 55, card writer and painter.
FRANK FISHER, 45, of Chicago, laborer.
GROVER HOBSON, cripple, unable to work.
FRANK G. GRANGER, 50, of Chicago, crippled real estate and rental worker.
The injured were:
J. W. LOPER, 48, who was seriously burned on the hands, legs and head as he slid down a post to safety.
T. HALES, 51, a peddler, who also was burned on the face, arms and hands as he slid down the post.
LIGE BURPO, 45, who suffered a broken nose and broken hand when he jumped from a window.
A. W. COOK, 35, injured by a fall down a stairway.
TOM SLOAN of Lisbon, burns about the face.
HALES and LOPER were most seriously burned.
Girl Sounds Alarm.
W. S. HUNTER, proprietor of the hotel ... Read MORE...
Dallas, March 22. (AP) - Four men, two of them cripples were trapped in their rooms and burned to death early today when fire swept the Elm Hotel, a small second story establishment in the downtown district. Five others were injured.
The Dead.
The dead were identified as:
W. H. BODENHEIMER, 55, card writer and painter.
FRANK FISHER, 45, of Chicago, laborer.
GROVER HOBSON, cripple, unable to work.
FRANK G. GRANGER, 50, of Chicago, crippled real estate and rental worker.
The injured were:
J. W. LOPER, 48, who was seriously burned on the hands, legs and head as he slid down a post to safety.
T. HALES, 51, a peddler, who also was burned on the face, arms and hands as he slid down the post.
LIGE BURPO, 45, who suffered a broken nose and broken hand when he jumped from a window.
A. W. COOK, 35, injured by a fall down a stairway.
TOM SLOAN of Lisbon, burns about the face.
HALES and LOPER were most seriously burned.
Girl Sounds Alarm.
W. S. HUNTER, proprietor of the hotel ... Read MORE...
1949 - September 17 - WFAA TV channel 8 in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (ABC) begins broadcasting
historyorb.com
historyorb.com
1957 - TORNADO RAKES DALLAS 10 DIE; MANY MISSING. 196 Injured; Damage Heavy.
By Whitey Sawyer
DALLAS (AP) - A huge, black tornado whirled and roared over a deadly, 21-mile path across Dallas yesterday as thousands watched in fear and awe. Ten persons were killed and police sought others reported missing.
Some 196 were treated at hospitals for injuries.
JESS CURRY, assistant police chief, said damage would be at least 1½ million dollars.
Tornadoes also plowed into southern Oklahoma and killed at least five persons. Another person was killed near Paris, Tex., as a series of tornadoes skipped around north Texas.
The tornado lashed out of a black rainstorm. An estimated hundred thousand people watched as it swayed a leisurely, jerky course from South Oak Cliff through west Dallas and northwest Dallas. For 40 horror-filled minutes the lashing funnel filled the dark sky above a frozen city.
Passengers and crew of a Braniff Airlines plane watched from the air as the plane circled after takeoff from Dallas' Love Field.
Traffic piled up into fantastic... Read MORE...
By Whitey Sawyer
DALLAS (AP) - A huge, black tornado whirled and roared over a deadly, 21-mile path across Dallas yesterday as thousands watched in fear and awe. Ten persons were killed and police sought others reported missing.
Some 196 were treated at hospitals for injuries.
JESS CURRY, assistant police chief, said damage would be at least 1½ million dollars.
Tornadoes also plowed into southern Oklahoma and killed at least five persons. Another person was killed near Paris, Tex., as a series of tornadoes skipped around north Texas.
The tornado lashed out of a black rainstorm. An estimated hundred thousand people watched as it swayed a leisurely, jerky course from South Oak Cliff through west Dallas and northwest Dallas. For 40 horror-filled minutes the lashing funnel filled the dark sky above a frozen city.
Passengers and crew of a Braniff Airlines plane watched from the air as the plane circled after takeoff from Dallas' Love Field.
Traffic piled up into fantastic... Read MORE...
1963 - November 22 - American President John F. Kennedy assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas, Texas
On Friday, November 22, 1963, a shockwave ran through the whole nation, followed by grief. President John F. Kennedy was shot as he rode in a motorcade through the streets of Dallas, Texas.
For the next several days, stunned Americans gathered around their television sets, as regular programming yielded to nonstop coverage of the assassination and funeral.
From their living rooms, Americans saw Mrs. Kennedy, still wearing her blood-stained suit, return to Washington with the president's body. They saw the murder of the accused assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, on November 24. Viewers followed the saddled, but rider-less horse in Kennedy's funeral procession from the White House to the Capitol. They saw the president's small son, John F. Kennedy Jr., step forward to salute as his father's flag-covered coffin was taken to Arlington National Cemetery.
Television played a large role in the collective mourning of American society. For the first time, a majority of citizens together... Read MORE...
On Friday, November 22, 1963, a shockwave ran through the whole nation, followed by grief. President John F. Kennedy was shot as he rode in a motorcade through the streets of Dallas, Texas.
For the next several days, stunned Americans gathered around their television sets, as regular programming yielded to nonstop coverage of the assassination and funeral.
From their living rooms, Americans saw Mrs. Kennedy, still wearing her blood-stained suit, return to Washington with the president's body. They saw the murder of the accused assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, on November 24. Viewers followed the saddled, but rider-less horse in Kennedy's funeral procession from the White House to the Capitol. They saw the president's small son, John F. Kennedy Jr., step forward to salute as his father's flag-covered coffin was taken to Arlington National Cemetery.
Television played a large role in the collective mourning of American society. For the first time, a majority of citizens together... Read MORE...
January 16, 1964 - Fort Worth, TX, received 7.5 inches of snow, and Dallas reported a foot of snow.
WeatherForYou.com
WeatherForYou.com
1964 - March 14 - Dallas, Texas; Jack Ruby sentenced to death for Lee Harvey Oswald's murder
historyorb.com
March 14, 1964
historyorb.com
March 14, 1964
1972 - EXPLOSION WRECKS CHEMICAL PLANT.
Dallas (AP) - Eight persons were killed Wednesday when tons of a volatile chemical exploded in a chemical plant, hurling steel girders, concrete and brick through the one-story building.
Firemen searched into the night in the rubble for bodies of the victims. The last of the dead was found seven hours after the first explosion.
The series of three sharp blasts occurred shortly before 2 p.m. and demolished the Penwalt Industries plant, makers of chemical food additives used in bakeries.
Seven of the eight dead were identified today as:
PAUL D. PIRKLE, 18, of Fort Worth.
VELMA WILSON, 47, of Irving.
BURTIS BURREL, 40. of Dallas.
JUDY MOERBE, 21, of Dallas.
BOBBIE JACKSON, 33, of Dallas.
FLUDIE MATTOX, of Dallas.
JAMES SPIKE, about 18, of Dallas.
The eighth victim was not immediately identified.
Capt. Larry Jones of the Dallas Fire Department said it was not determined at once what caused the 30,000 to 40,000 pounds of potassium bromate to explode. The chemical is used... Read MORE...
Dallas (AP) - Eight persons were killed Wednesday when tons of a volatile chemical exploded in a chemical plant, hurling steel girders, concrete and brick through the one-story building.
Firemen searched into the night in the rubble for bodies of the victims. The last of the dead was found seven hours after the first explosion.
The series of three sharp blasts occurred shortly before 2 p.m. and demolished the Penwalt Industries plant, makers of chemical food additives used in bakeries.
Seven of the eight dead were identified today as:
PAUL D. PIRKLE, 18, of Fort Worth.
VELMA WILSON, 47, of Irving.
BURTIS BURREL, 40. of Dallas.
JUDY MOERBE, 21, of Dallas.
BOBBIE JACKSON, 33, of Dallas.
FLUDIE MATTOX, of Dallas.
JAMES SPIKE, about 18, of Dallas.
The eighth victim was not immediately identified.
Capt. Larry Jones of the Dallas Fire Department said it was not determined at once what caused the 30,000 to 40,000 pounds of potassium bromate to explode. The chemical is used... Read MORE...
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Dallas, Texas:
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza: This museum is located in the former Texas School Book Depository and chronicles the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. It's a must-visit for history buffs.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden: Explore the stunning gardens, seasonal displays, and events at this beautiful 66-acre attraction located on the shores of White Rock Lake.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science: This interactive museum is a great place for both kids and adults, offering exhibits on science, technology, and natural history.
Klyde Warren Park: This urban park is built on top of a freeway and offers a beautiful green space, a variety of food trucks, and activities like yoga classes, concerts, and games.
Dallas World Aquarium: Step into a world of exotic animals and marine life at this unique indoor attraction in downtown Dallas.
Dallas Museum of Art: Home to an impressive collection of art spanning various cultures and time periods, this museum is a... Read MORE...
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza: This museum is located in the former Texas School Book Depository and chronicles the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. It's a must-visit for history buffs.
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden: Explore the stunning gardens, seasonal displays, and events at this beautiful 66-acre attraction located on the shores of White Rock Lake.
Perot Museum of Nature and Science: This interactive museum is a great place for both kids and adults, offering exhibits on science, technology, and natural history.
Klyde Warren Park: This urban park is built on top of a freeway and offers a beautiful green space, a variety of food trucks, and activities like yoga classes, concerts, and games.
Dallas World Aquarium: Step into a world of exotic animals and marine life at this unique indoor attraction in downtown Dallas.
Dallas Museum of Art: Home to an impressive collection of art spanning various cultures and time periods, this museum is a... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Dallas Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Dallas, Texas, USA
We currently have information about 18 ancestors who were born or died in Dallas.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
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