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Overview

Scope and Content

Collection consists of the official minutes of the Dallas City Council from 1866 to 1977. The minutes document not only the decisions, actions, day-to-day operations, services, and programs but also the laws, rules, and regulations of the City of Dallas. The early ledgers also contain newspaper clippings and broadsides pasted onto blank pages. During the years 1866-1977, the Office of the City Secretary recorded original minutes on various paper formats then later transcribed and copied them for preservation into a 13 x 18-inch ledger.  The department stopped using the ledgers in June 1977, when it began recording the official minutes on standard 8.5 x 11-inch paper. 

The first extant volume of minutes for the Town of Dallas dates to October 1866.  That earliest edition, from October 1866 to May 1867, is called Volume 1.  Also named Volume 1 is the minute book from September 1868 to June 1875.  Furthermore, in June 1907, to reflect the beginning of the Mayor-Commissioner government system, the minute books started again with Volume 1 as the title.  Consequently, three sets of volumes labeled 1 exist, and two sets of 2 through 33 exist.  The container list is divided to address this duplication.  Researchers should pay close attention to which volume is needed when making requests. 

Beginning February 1941, the City Council began assigning reference numbers to its meetings.  Prior to that date, council meetings were referenced only by date.  The ledgers themselves are fragile, and use is restricted.  Researchers will use either microfilm or paper copies, as available, to see the contents of the minutes.  To research Dallas City Council minutes after May 1977, contact the Open Records Center in the Office of the City Secretary.  That team will provide instruction on accessing the more recent minutes.

Organization

The books are arranged chronologically.  Index books are arranged first by subject or topic and second by ordinance and resolution number (when used).

Access

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from the Dallas Municipal Archives.  All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.  Minutes are available for viewing via paper and microfilm, except for the years 1956-1976; these dates are only available on paper.

Citation

Select the citation based on which type of minute book you used:

City Council Minutes - Bound Volumes, 1868-1977 (Volume #, Page #), Dallas Municipal Archives
City Council Minutes - Bound Volumes, 1868-1977 (Volume #, File reference #), Dallas Municipal Archives

Related Materials

Collection 1996-040—City Ordinances - Bound Volumes, 1871-1978​
Collection 1996-002—City Ordinances Index, 1871-1973​
Collection 1991-090—Early Council Minutes, 1866-1905

Index Terms

Dallas -- Texas -- History
Dallas (Tex.). City Council

Container List

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