​Overview

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.

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 ​