pyramid design grew from the space requirements of city
government. Public areas and citizen services near the bottom
of the structure required less space than what was needed for
offices and administration on the upper floors.
Below: Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center at Dallas
provides personalized, comprehensive and compassionate care
for patients with all types of cancer. Other Baylor cancer care
services in Dallas County are found in Carrollton, Garland, and
Irving. Baylor medical facilities are located throughout the county.
Also found within Dallas County is the
University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson.
The University of Dallas in Irving shares
its campus with Holy Trinity Seminary and
the Cistercian Monastery. Texas A&M-Dallas
Research and Extension Center is one of
fifteen centers throughout the state. Remington
College was established in 1997 in Garland,
and Dallas Christian College makes its home
in Farmers Branch.
C H A P T E R 4
4 3
The Cities of
All the towns and cities within
Dallas County are considered part of the
Dallas County Dallas/Ft.Worth Metroplex and each
one has a business community,
events and recreational opportunities
that distinguish it from its neighbors.
Addison —Addison is a popular entertainment spot with a theater
center and more than 170 restaurants in a two-mile loop. It features some of the area’s best-known multi-use developments and is a popular shopping DeSoto —DeSoto is one of the largest cities in the southern half of destination. A general aviation airport strengthens the business community, the County with a population of almost 50,000. Originally a residential
and the Cavanaugh Flight Museum and Mary Kay Museum attract visitors.
community, it now also features light industry and distribution centers.
The Taste of Addison is just one of its many festivals and events.
Duncanville —Duncanville, with a population of
Balch Springs —Balch Springs is named after John Balch, an 1870s
almost 40,000, is primarily a residential community and has
pioneer who settled near the springs east of what is now known as Balch Springs become a state powerhouse in girls’ high school basketball.
Road. Today, the city boasts a location close to two interstate highways for easy commuting in all four directions, and a population that has almost doubled since 1980.
Farmers Branch —Farmers Branch is one
of the oldest communities in Dallas County, having first
Carrollton —Carrollton is a vibrant residential community with many commuters.
been settled in 1842. Today, it is home to Brookhaven
The city also is home to more than 5,000 businesses and three DART light rail stations and has College and offers varied manufacturing, a station on
repeatedly been named by Money magazine as being one of the best places to live in the U.S.
the DART light-rail system, and distribution facilities.
Ferris —While a portion of Ferris, Texas, lies in Dallas
Cedar Hill —Located in the County’s rapidly-growing southwestern
County, the majority is in Ellis County. The city has a total land
corner, Cedar Hill is primarily a residential community. It is home to
area of only 4.8 square miles. Settlement of the area began in
Northwood University, a state park and Penn Farm and the highest elevation 1874 and within ten years it had a population of 300. In 2012,
point in the County. It hosts the annual Country Day of the Hill in October.
it had a population of 2,485, a 14.3 percent increase from 2000.
Cockrell Hill
Garland —Garland is the second-largest city in Dallas
—Cockrell Hill is completely surrounded by
County with more than 225,000 residents. Garland was ranked
the City of Dallas. In 2006, it elected the first all-Hispanic city council number 67 on CNN and Money magazine’s list of “Top 100 Places
in North Texas. An annual Festival of Brent is held to commemorate
to Live.” It is one of many Dallas County cities that primarily grew
the city’s founding by Brentwood Allen Cockrell and his son, Woodrow.
as a depot for the railroads in the late 1800s. Garland has a variety
of industries including electronics, steel fabrication, oilfield equip-
ment, aluminum die-casting, hat manufacture, dairy products and
Combine —Combine is a small rural community in the County’s far
food processors. Other features include the Spring Creek Forest
southeastern corner. Its population of nearly 2,000 residents has been
Preserve and the Rowlett Creek Preserve, parks and mountain bike
growing at a rate of more than 9 percent per year for the last several years.
trails, Lake Ray Hubbard, two stations on the DART light-rail system,
an arts center, a regional library complex, and Firewheel Mall.
Coppell —Located just northeast of DFW Airport, Coppell has under-Glenn Heights —Dallas County shares Glenn Heights
gone tremendous growth in the past thirty years as its population has increased with Ellis County, and it is primarily a residential community
from 3,826 in 1980 to almost 40,000 in 2010. Primarily a commuter suburb, that began development in the late 1960s. The city has grown
the city has also recently become a popular site for major distribution facilities.
from a population of 257 in 1970 to more than 13,000 today.
Dallas —Dallas is the county seat, the largest city in the County, and Grand Prairie —This city is home to more than 175,000 resi-the center of both the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex and the DART transit
dents and is noted for wholesale trade, aerospace industries and entertain-system. In addition to being home to a number of Fortune 500 companies,
ment. It has neighborhoods bordering Joe Pool Lake, and it possesses Lone Dallas is also the site of a Federal Reserve Bank, Richland College, El Centro Star horseracing track which is the only horseracing track in North Texas.
College, the University of North Texas-Dallas, and Mountainview College.
Dallas is considered a leader in a long list of business categories, including fashion, oil and gas, finance, computer operations, telecommunications,
transportation and distribution. The city ranks as a leading tourist destina-Grapevine —Only a portion of Grapevine is located in
tion and convention location. Hospitals and health care facilities, educational Dallas County. Another small portion is located in Denton
institutions and arts institutions are all listed among the tops in the nation.
County, with the majority sited in Tarrant County. It is named
for the native grapes which are ubiquitous in the area. It is
D A L L A S C O U N T Y : A 2 1 s t C e n t u r y M o s a i c adjacent to Grapevine Lake, a popular tourist attraction, which
also serves as a source of water. In 2007 CNNMoney.com rated
44
Grapevine as one of “America’s Best Places to Live.”
Richardson —Another city with a population of over 100,000,
Highland Park —This is a noted, very affluent
the University of Texas at Dallas, the Richardson symphony orchestra,
residential community located in the middle of the County.
the Charles W. Eiseman Center for the Performing Arts, and the Telecom
It is the home of many of Dallas’ famous millionaires.
Corridor are all noted features of Richardson. In 2008, Richardson was
ranked as the eighteenth best place to live in the U.S. by Money magazine.
The city is well-known for its role in the manufacturing of telecommunications equipment, medical devices, supercomputers, computer chips, and
Hutchins —Hutchins is a small community located
fiber optics, it features three stations on the DART light rail system, and it near the intersection of I-45 and I-20 with slightly more
possesses what is probably the most complete municipal trail system in North than 5,000 residents. It, along with Wilmer, shares the
Texas. Each May, Richardson hosts the annual Wildflower Music Festival.
Union Pacific Intermodal facility which is one of the largest
intermodal facilities in the U.S. and which is expected to
generate substantial growth in this part of the County.
Rowlett —Rowlett is known as a quiet, upscale bed-
room community in Dallas County located on Lake Ray
Hubbard. It is characterized by rapid growth with its popula-
tion having expanded from 1,600 in 1973 to more than 56,000
Irving —Irving is the third-largest city in Dallas
in 2010. It also possesses a station on DART’s light rail system.
County with a population of 220,000 and includes Las
Colinas, a unique mixed-use development that features
the corporate headquarters of Fortune 500 firms, residen-
tial housing, eclectic shopping, restaurants and nightlife,
Sachse —Dallas and Collin Counties share the city of
DFW Airport, Northlake College, and five DART light rail
Sachse located about one-mile north of the President George
stations. The city’s annual Dragon Boat Festival in May is
Bush Turnpike and the Firewheel Town Shopping Center. Its
a celebration of Chinese and Asian cultures.
population has jumped from 5,346 in 1990 to 20,239 in
2010, and it is the site of the Woodbridge Golf Course and
home of the Northern Texas Chapter of the Professional Golf
Association (PGA). An October Fall Fest is an annual event.
Lancaster —Lancaster was an early trading com-
munity within Dallas County that was first incorporated
in 1853. It has emerged as a regional transportation hub
with its own general aviation airport, freight rail service
Seagoville —Seagoville is located in the southeast corner
and transportation industries. The city also features
of Dallas County. The city prides itself on small town living in a
Cedar Valley College, the Commemorative Air Force
close-knit community of families from all walks of life.
Museum, the Cold War Air Museum, Bear Creek nature
preserve, an historic town square, and an Oktoberfest.
Sunnyvale —A city with a population of 5,130 near Lake Ray
Hubbard, the city prides itself on its rural, suburban setting. A July 4th celebration called Sunnyfest is one of the city’s annual highlights.
Lewisville —Lewisville lies at the southern
end of Denton County, with a portion of the city in
northern Dallas County. It is home to the MCL Grand
Theater, a venue for meetings, films and all sorts of
artistic performances. Though the MCL Grand opened
University Park —University Park, with a population of
23,068, is another of the County’s most affluent communities. It,
its doors in 2011, it has already won numerous awards.
along with Highland Park, comprises an area that is known as “the
In 2011 and 2012, The Flower Mound Connection news-
Park Cities.” Heavily residential, it is also the home of both Southern
paper named it the best event facility in Denton County.
Methodist University and the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Mesquite —Mesquite is one of the County’s larger cities
with 140,000 residents. Eastfield College is located in the city,
Wilmer —Wilmer is located south of Hutchins along I-45 and
and United Parcel Service and Dallas Regional Medical Center
had a 2010 population of 3,682. Because of Union Pacific’s Dallas
are the city’s two major employers. The annual Mesquite
Intermodal Terminal Whirlpool, Ace Hardware, and Unilever have
ProRodeo is one of the nation’s major rodeo events.
all recently located major distribution facilities in the community.
Ovilla
Wylie —Wylie, which was once solely located in
—Ovilla is located in both Dallas and Ellis Counties.
Collin County, now extends into Rockwall and Dallas
It is the oldest town in Ellis County. Country music legend, Boxcar
Counties. It was originally called Nickelville, supposedly
Willie, was born in the area, and downtown Ovilla was the set
after the name of the first store in the area. About 14.280
of an old Indian town in several episodes of Walker, Texas Ranger.
square miles, or 40.43 percent, of the 35.317 square
C H A P T E R 4
miles that make up the city is water.
4 5
Above: The Greenhouse on the Midway at the Texas State Fair houses the Texas Garden Railway, a collection of large-gauge model trains, and the Farmer Mike exhibit where giant pumpkins are whittled. The Greenhouse also has a plant collection, water features, exotic birds and musical entertainment.
Below: The Eisemann Center for Performing Arts and Corporate Presentations in Richardson is just one example of the art, theater and concert venues that exist in Dallas County beyond the Dallas city limits.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF RICHARDSON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Charles W.
Eisenmann Center
D A L L A S C O U N T Y : A 2 1 s t C e n t u r y M o s a i c 46
Bath House
Cultural Center
Above: The Bath House Cultural Center at White Rock Lake is operated by the Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs. It has a 116-seat theater, three gallery spaces, the White Rock Lake Museum, and a number of multi-purpose spaces.
Right: A historic marker at 200 South Main Street in Cedar Hill marks the land donated for a town square when Cedar Hill was established in 1847. The site has evolved from vacant land, to a city park and bandstand, to the site for government and city offices to today’s visitor attraction.
C H A P T E R 4
4 7
There are forty-two hospitals in Dallas
County, including five of the top fourteen
in the DFW region listed by U.S. News and
World Report. Baylor University Medical Center
in East Dallas ranks first in the listing and
second in the state. Other ranking facilities
are UT Southwestern Medical Center, Medical
City Dallas, Texas Health Presbyterian and
Parkland Memorial.
Dallas County is responsible for Parkland
Memorial Hospital, which was named one of
the busiest community hospital emergency
departments by Modern Healthcare. Seven of
Parkland’s specialties have been designated
as high performing by U.S. News and World
Report, and the hospital is nationally-recog-
nized for its trauma care and burn treatment.
Top: UT Southwestern Medical School is one of four medical schools in the University of Texas system.
The school, located in the Southwestern Medical District, admits approximately 230 students each year in a highly competitive process.
Above: The Dallas Center of Texas Woman’s University is also known as T. Boone Pickens Institute of Health Sciences. The Dallas Center opened in 2011 and is located in the heart of the Southwestern Medical District. TWU is a public university that also has locations in Denton and Houston.
D A L L A S C O U N T Y : A 2 1 s t C e n t u r y M o s a i c 48
The religious composition of Dallas
parish was established in 1872. Many of
County has changed considerably over the
these houses of worship, such as First Baptist
years. Early Protestant settlers looked to
and Temple Emanu-El, continue to serve their
traveling missionaries for religious services.
congregations today. More than thirty churches
Between 1856 and 1897 the first Episcopal
in Dallas County are listed on the Hartford
African
parish was organized, the first Catholic
Institutes database of mega-churches com-
American
Museum of
Mass was held and houses of worship
prised of churches with average weekly atten-
Dallas
were built by the Methodists, Presbyterians,
dance of more than 2,000. The variety and
Baptists, Bethel African Methodist Episcopals,
number of houses of worship helped Dallas
Congregationalists, Seventh-day Adventists,
County earn a designation as a religious
Lutherans, Unitarians, Christian Scientists
stronghold by the turn of the century, and
Above: The African American Museum
and Mormons. The first Jewish synagogue
continuing growth marked the area as a city
in Dallas was founded in 1974 and is
was built in 1873 and the first Catholic
of churchgoers.
devoted to the preservation and display of
African American artistic, cultural and
historical materials. It has one of the largest
African American Folk Art collections in the
United States.
Left: St. Luke Catholic Church in Irving
hosted a visit of the International Statue
of Fatima. The statue serves as a United
National World Apostolate and the Pilgrim
statue circulates on regular visits and is
brought to the faithful to inspire and deliver
a message of hope.
The
International
Statue of
Fatima
C H A P T E R 4
4 9
Above: The Carousel at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas was built in 1923 by the famed Dentzel Carousel Company. It was brought to Dallas in 1950 from Carsonia Park, California.
Below: White Rock Lake is a unique 1,015-acre city lake, located in east Dallas, which offers a wide variety of outdoor activities such as hike and bike trails, bird watching, picnic areas, and fishing piers. Its central location in Dallas makes it the site of many charity runs and events.
D A L L A S C O U N T Y : A 2 1 s t C e n t u r y M o s a i c 50
Left: Horse racing at Lone Star Park
in Grand Prairie.
Below: Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie
offers live and simulcast racing and has
both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse
racing. It was opened in 1997.
Lone Star Park
at Grand Prairie
C H A P T E R 4
5 1
Taste Addison
Above: Taste of Addison is an annual event where more than sixty Addison restaurants serve samples. The event creates a festival experience with national musical entertainment, celebrity chef demonstrations and wine tasting seminars. Add to this carnival rides, midway games, award-winning children’s entertainment, and more.
Left: A drum line practices for an upcoming competition.
PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF IRVING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Below: The Marco Polo World Foundation sponsors the annual DFW Dragon Boat, Kite and Lantern Festival. The event is designed to promote intercultural understanding and acceptance of diversity in the community as well as to celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month.
DFW Dragon
Boat Festival
D A L L A S C O U N T Y : A 2 1 s t C e n t u r y M o s a i c 52
As the population of the region has
organizations that sponsor sports teams,
diversified, so have the religious faiths.
orchestras, bands, opera, religion and dance;
Temples, mosques, and other houses of
information resources such as libraries,
Downtown
worship now exist for the County’s large con-
newspapers, magazines, radio and television;
Dallas