Historical North Texas

When you learn about North Texas history, the information is always centered around Dallas and its surrounding suburbs. The reason this occurs is that before any of Texas was claimed it was home to the Caddo Native American Indians and was part of the Spanish Viceroyalty of New Spain in the 1500’s. The area has had various controlling forces including the French in 1819 with portions of the Dallas area still in the control of Spain until 1821. At this time, Mexico declared their independence from Spain and North Texas came under the rule of Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. In 1836, the Republic of Texas broke away from Mexico and was a country of its own for around 10 years.

John Neely Bryan was the first to survey the entire state of Texas in 1839, however, no one created a settlement in north Texas until November 1841, when he created a permanent settlement. His settlement was located where the Trinity Rivers three branches merged. In 1842, more settlers joined Bryan. At this time, this north Texas area was known as Peter’s Colony. Finally, in 1845, the name was changed to Dallas to honor U.S. Vice President George Mifflin Dallas.

Dallas became incorporated as a town in 1856 and as a city in 1871. The area grew slowly until the Civil War where it served Confederate troops as a supply depot. In 1872, the Texas Central Railroad came to the area and in 1873; the rail was routed through the downtown area. The population grew from 6,000 in 1872 to 36,000 by 1886.

North Texas was known for being the largest inland cotton market in the world, which helped the area become the financial center by 1900 serving all the cotton farmers in Texas.

Oil of course, was a major boom hitting Texas in 1930. Many of the north Texas residents became rich from petroleum related enterprises. However, oil and cotton was not the only things that people notice the north Texas area of the US. Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker grew up in north Texas and met in January of 1930. After all their terror throughout the northern Texas area they were ambushed by Dallas police in 1933, however, they escaped with only a few injuries.

Dallas has had its share of bad guys and bad memories other than the antics of Bonnie and Clyde. One terrifying memory is that of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as his motorcade passed by Dealy Plaza in downtown Dallas.

Dallas and the entire north Texas area has from that time worked hard to save their reputation and build safe and productive neighborhoods. Today, visitors can enjoy the history of north Texas while partaking of the many modern facilities and exciting activities that this area has to offer.