Dallas Travel Guide

Dallas may have a shorter history than some of the nation's older settlements, but it is likely a more colorful one than most.

It began to take shape during the mid-17th and 18th centuries, when French and Spanish explorers moved in on the land where Native Americans, mainly Comanche, had lived for generations. From the dusty prairies these people found when they arrived would eventually emerge booming frontier towns.

A turning point came in 1841, when a man named John Neely Bryan came up with a vision to take a dusty river crossing and turn it into a thriving inland port by the name of Dallas. He left behind his native Tennessee, laid claim to over 600 acres and built his one-room cabin, which stood as a beacon on that lone prairie, much like a lighthouse on the ocean's edge, calling others to a new home.

Unfortunately, Bryan's dream of navigating the Trinity River from Dallas to the Gulf of Mexico for trade purposes ran aground. Nearly 30 years later, in 1868, a steamboat reached Dallas from Galveston; however, since the voyage took more than a year, there was little cause for celebration. And, for that matter, few people to celebrate with, for Bryan's dream of a thriving settlement languished until after the Civil War.

It was John Neely Bryan who first planted the seeds of Dallas' "can do" spirit. He never gave up on his dream, and in 1872—through the sheer force of his tenacious personality, along with a few opportune gifts—the Texas Central Railroad diverted its tracks to Dallas. In 1873, the Texas Pacific Railroad arrived, and a railhead was born, with the town's population increasing to 6,000. By this time, Dallas was well on its way to becoming the thriving inland port of Bryan's dream.

The early 1900s brought tremendous growth to Dallas. First, the city became a regional banking center for North Texas cotton farmers, who made up one of the world's largest inland cotton markets. Many insurance companies arrived and established their headquarters in Dallas, enhancing the city's position in the financial world. Neiman Marcus built its landmark store downtown in 1907, bringing fashion and elegance to the growing metropolis.

Although oil was the real catalyst for Dallas' wealth and prestige, Dallas has never had an actual working oil well in the county. However, the city's role as the financial and technical hub for the black gold's drilling industry paved the way for real estate development, cattle, healthcare, commerce and industry to make their way to Dallas. At this point, city officials realized the need for a major university, and in 1911, the Methodists voted to establish a university in Dallas. The city offered them $300,000 and 666.5 acres of land on which to build the campus, and in 1915, Southern Methodist University opened its doors. Shortly after, World War I began and Dallas became a key player in the nation's aviation efforts. Love Field was established as an aviation training ground, and Fair Park Coliseum was used as another training facility. In 1927, Dallas bought Love Field for use as a municipal airport. The Great Depression brought many more obstacles for the emerging city. More than 18,000 people became unemployed, and the city began a work-for-food program. Due to the discovery of oil, Dallas did not experience the severity of the Depression in the way that many of the nation's cities did. Many businesses continued on as usual, regardless of the fact that banks were closing. C.M. "Dad" Joiner struck oil just 100 miles east of Dallas in 1930 and with that find came the development of the East Texas Oil Field, the largest petroleum deposit in the world during this time. With Dallas already beginning to thrive, the city became the center of business for the nearby oil fields. Many local citizens became millionaires, and the city reaped the benefits of this newly acquired affluence. Bryan's "can do" spirit continued to spread like wildfire, and it infused the hearts and minds of other pioneers who were instrumental in bringing Dallas the Federal Reserve Bank. Soon after, the State of Texas chose Dallas as the site for the Texas Centennial Exposition, as well as the Texas State Fair. 50 buildings were built in Fair Park, and 10 million visitors participated in the $25 million event. With the addition of the DFW International Airport in 1974, the city grew to exceed Bryan's expectations.

Stepping back in history for a moment, November 22, 1963 brought a turning point in terms of both Dallas' and the nation's history. As thousands watched, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated during a motorcade through downtown Dallas. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the murder, only to be killed two days later by Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby. Dallas grieved and eventually moved on, but it never forgot that day. The John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial was created in 1970, and in 1989 the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza opened in honor of the fallen president.

Meanwhile, Dallas continued to gain state and national attention, and by 1960, Dallas was home to two professional football teams. The Dallas Cowboys earned the name "America's Team," experiencing great success and popularity. From then, the ball continued to roll: The Texas Rangers brought baseball to Dallas in 1972, the Dallas Mavericks brought basketball in 1980, the Sidekicks brought indoor soccer in 1984 and the Dallas Stars brought professional hockey in 1993. Today, Dallas is known as the banking center of the Southwest and is one of the largest cities in Texas. It is home to international corporations and is a well-known commercial center and major convention city. Amidst the city's changes, John Neely Bryan's one-room cabin now stands in the shadow of towering buildings in the heart of downtown Dallas, and it continues to be a beacon calling entrepreneurs and adventurous spirits home.2008-08-02T07:29:22.000 68