Dallas, like most cities, has a long history of sports and sporting venues for amateur, semi-professional, and professional athletes.  Newspapers mention baseball games as early as 1877, and football appears in the 1890s. The Sportatorium, Fair Park, Memorial Auditorium, PC Cobb Stadium, and Reunion Arena are a few of the venues called home by various sports and teams.

The Municipal Archives does not contain a vast amount of sporting history, but some information is available, as is shown in this Pathfinder.

Manuscript and Paper-based Materials

Collection 1991-016—Dallas City Code, 1889-Current
Collection 1991-024—WRR Municipal Radio, 1921-2020
Collection 1991-131—Dallas Boards and Commissions History, 1971-1991
Collection 1995-023—Dallas Department of Park and Recreation General Subject Files
Collection 1996-003—Dallas Park and Recreation Department Centennial History Working Papers and Research Materials, 1972-1976
Collection 1997-008—City of Dallas Sports Commission, 1965-1971
Collection 2002-001—Dallas Park and Recreation Department Plans and Drawings, 1911-2002
Collection 2006-005—Miguel Casanova Photographs, 1986-2001
Collection 2014-001—Reunion Arena, 1978-2009
Collection 2015-007—Dallas Convention Center Event Files, 2008-2010
Collection 2018-003—Dallas Park Board Minutes, 1905-2003

Maps, Plans, and Drawings

Collection 1999-001—Map Collection, 1868
Collection 2002-001—Park and Recreation Department Plans and Drawings, 1911-1960

Photographs

Collection 2003-002—Dallas Park and Recreation Department Photographs [Addition], 1942-2003
Collection 2014-003—Dallas Convention Center Photographs
Collection 1999-003—City Photographer, 1950-1997
Collection 2003-001—Aerial Map Photographs of Dallas, Texas 1930, 1949, 1974, 1979

City Council Minutes, Ordinances, and Resolutions

Collection 1994-010—City Council Minutes - Bound Volumes, 1866-1977
Collection 1996-040—City Ordinances - Bound Volumes, 1871-1978

Dallas City Council’s official records, including minutes of the Dallas City Council (and earlier forms of government), from 1868 to the present, are available for research in paper, electronic, and micrographic forms.  Complete earlier records for 1868-1955 and 1977-1997 are available for viewing via paper and microfilm; years 1956-1976 are available only on paper.  Records may be viewed at the Dallas Municipal Archives and Records Center.  Original contracts and memoranda are not included in the microfiche; contact the Archives for details.

Council minutes, agendas, ordinances, and resolutions from 1995 to the present are available in electronic form on the City Secretary’s Office website.