Every city has to start somewhere but not every city grows to be one of the largest in the nation. Dallas has played a huge part in innovation and even history itself. But how did it all start?
Did you know Dallas was technically founded as a river city? Farmer, lawyer, and tradesman John Neely Bryan founded the city along the Trinity River when he moved to the east bank in November 1841.
The farmer, unbeknownst to him, had settled on land granted by the republic to the Texan Land and Emigration Company of St. Louis, headed by William S. Peters. Bryan eventually got his claim approved, and word of the Peters colony’s future economic growth attracted residents to the area.
The city developed into a hub for services for the surrounding rural community. In addition to a weekly newspaper, the Dallas Herald, which was established in 1849, the city also boasted dry-goods businesses, grocery stores, a pharmacy, an insurance company, a boot and shoe store, brickyards, train stations, and saddle shops by the 1850s.
Dallas has changed dramatically since it was founded in 1841, going from a small trade town to a thriving metropolis. The city is now a bustling metropolis, renowned for its rich cultural diversity, strong economy, and vibrant arts scene. The city now attracts 25.7 million annual visitors, contributing to the total 75.5 million who visit each year.
There’s a lot of interesting Dallas history to uncover. What are some other things you’re interested in? Lets us know.
