Municipal Archives


Dallas Park and Recreation Department Centennial History Working Papers and Research Materials​, 1972-1976

Collection 1996-003

​Overview

Repository ​Dallas Municipal Archives
Office of the City Secretary
1500 Marilla Street, 5D South
Dallas, Texas 75201
Creator Dallas Park and Recreation Department 
TitleDallas Park and Recreation Department Centennial History Working Papers and Research Materials
Dates1972-1976
Quantity1 linear foot
AbstractManuscript drafts and research materials of the Dallas Park Department centennial history.
Identification 1996-003
Language ​​Records are in English
 

Scope and Content

Collection consists of a photocopied draft manuscript with corrections and annotations, and the complete transcripts of an oral history conducted with Louis B. Houston, Park Department director from 1939 to 1972, and black and white 8x10" photographs of historic Dallas park sites and facilities made between about 1910 and 1961.

On August 24, 1972, the Dallas Park Board approved a contract with Texas Tech University to conduct a historical survey of the Park and Recreation Department and to produce a history of its first one hundred years.  Principal authors were Professors Elo Urbanovsky and Harry Jebsen.  Additional authors include Patricia R. Hogan and Robert M. Newton.  The book was never published and is available free as a text-searchable PDF document here (file size 58 MB).

The City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department provides leisure, recreational and cultural activities for the citizens of Dallas and the general public and maintains more than 21,000 park acres through the Dallas park and recreation system, which includes 17 lakes, 62 miles of jogging and bike trails, 41 recreation centers, 1020 sports complexes, 490 playgrounds and picnic areas, 21 pools, six 18-hole golf courses, two driving ranges, and the 106-acre Dallas zoo.  The City's first two parks, City Park (purchased in 1876) and Fair Park (purchased in 1904) predate the organization of the Park and Recreation Department. In response to management issues and concerns, an administrative Park Board was created by City Charter amendment in early 1905, and the first Board members were appointed by Mayor Bryan T. Barry on May 23, 1905.

Organization

The collection is arranged by the following three subjects

Manuscript draft
Oral history transcripts
Photographic prints

Access​

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed 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.  It is the responsibility of the user to obtain copyright authorization for any images.

Citation

Dallas Park and Recreation Department Centennial History Working Papers and Research Materials, 1972-1976, (Box <x>, Folder <y>), Dallas Municipal Archives

Related Material

None

Index Terms

Dallas -- Texas -- History
Parks -- Texas -- Dallas -- History

Container List ​

Box Folder Title, Date
   Manuscript draft
11Memorandum concerning the origins of the centennial history project, 1975
 2Centennial History of the Dallas, Texas Park System, 1876-1976 draft, introduction through "Development Since 1945"
 3Centennial History of the Dallas, Texas Park System, 1876-1976 draft, Chap 1 through Chapter 4
 4Centennial History of the Dallas, Texas Park System, 1876-1976 draft, Chap 5 through Chapter 9

​5
​Centennial History of the Dallas, Texas Park System, 1876-1976 draft, Chap 10 through Chapter 12
 6
Centennial History of the Dallas, Texas Park System, 1876-1976 draft, beginning of Volume Three through Park Board Members

​7
​Centennial History of the Dallas, Texas Park System, 1876-1976 draft, Park Board Presidents through Index
   Oral history transcripts

8
​Elgin Crull oral history transcript
2
1
Louis B. Houston oral history tape 1, 1973 (C-60 audiocassette)

2
Louis B. Houston oral history tape 2, 1973 (C-60 audiocassette)
 
3
Louis B. Houston oral history tape 3, 1973 (C-60 audiocassette)

4
Louis B. Houston oral history tape 4, 1973 (C-60 audiocassette)


Photographic prints

5
Dallas parks and facilities, circa 1910-1961

​6
Parks, buildings, and personnel