History of Dallas in Timeline
Dallas, Texas, is the ninth-most populous city in the U.S. and the third-most populous in Texas, with a population of 1.3 million as of 2020. It anchors the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the U.S., with 8.5 million residents. Dallas is the core city of the largest metropolitan area in the Southern U.S. and the largest inland metropolitan area lacking a navigable link to the sea. As the seat of Dallas County, it spans nearly 386 square miles and extends into neighboring counties.
1 day ago : Dallas City Council debates City Hall's future amid resident concerns and marathon meetings.
Dallas residents reacted strongly as the City Council discussed the future of City Hall, facing a lengthy debate and resident concerns regarding potential changes. The discussion included a vote on moving emergency operations.
1900: Largest inland cotton market
By 1900, Dallas was the largest inland cotton market in the world, becoming a leader in cotton gin machinery manufacturing.
1901: First branch of Dallas Public Library System built
In 1901, the Dallas Public Library system built its first branch, made possible by a grant from Andrew Carnegie, after fundraising efforts led by May Dickson Exall.
1903: Annexation of Oak Cliff
In 1903, Oak Cliff, once a separate city, was annexed by Dallas.
July 4, 1906: Lake Cliff Park opens
Lake Cliff Park opened on July 4, 1906, and was called "the Southwest's Greatest Playground".
1907: Construction of Dallas Firefighter's Museum
In 1907, the Dallas Firefighter's Museum was built along Parry Avenue near Fair Park.
1909: Construction of the Praetorian Building
In 1909, the 15-story Praetorian Building was built in Dallas, marking the prominence of Dallas as a city. It was among the first skyscrapers west of the Mississippi and the tallest building in Texas for some time.
1910: Lynching of Allen Brooks
In 1910, a white mob lynched Allen Brooks, a black man accused of raping a little girl, at the intersection of Main and Akard in downtown Dallas. The mob tortured Brooks and hanged him from an archway.
1913: Turtle Creek Parkway park built
Built in 1913, Turtle Creek Parkway park is a 23.7-acre (9.6 ha) linear park in between Turtle Creek and Turtle Creek Boulevard in the Turtle Creek neighborhood.
1914: Seat of the Eleventh Federal Reserve District
In 1914, Dallas was selected as the seat of the Eleventh Federal Reserve District.
1921: Visit of Mexican President Álvaro Obregón
In 1921, Mexican President Álvaro Obregón visited Downtown Dallas's Mexican Park in Little Mexico.
1921: Licensing of WRR-AM
In 1921, WRR-AM was licensed as the original sister station to WRR 101.1 FM. It became the oldest commercially operated radio station in Texas and the second-oldest in the United States.
1925: Texas Cotton Production
By 1925, Texas produced more than 1/3 of the nation's cotton crop, with 31% of Texas cotton produced within a 100-mile radius of Dallas.
1930: Demographics of Dallas
In 1930, Dallas's population was predominantly White (non-Hispanic Whites made up 82.8% of the population).
1931: Highland Park Village Opens
In 1931, Highland Park Village, the second shopping center ever built in the United States, opened in Dallas.
1935: Dallas purchases land to develop Reverchon Park
In 1935, Dallas purchased 36 acres from John Cole's estate to develop Reverchon Park.
1936: Fair Park built for Texas Centennial Exposition
In 1936, Fair Park was built for the Texas Centennial Exposition world's fair.
1953: Exhibition game for the New York Giants and the Cleveland Indians.
In 1953, the baseball diamond was host to a exhibition game for the New York Giants and the Cleveland Indians.
1959: Pool demolished after polio scare
In 1959, the pool at Lake Cliff Park, Dallas's first municipal pool, was demolished after a polio scare.
1960: Cowboys join the league as an expansion team
In 1960, the Dallas Cowboys joined the league as an expansion team.
November 22, 1963: Assassination of John F. Kennedy
On November 22, 1963, United States President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on Elm Street in Downtown Dallas' Dealey Plaza. He was pronounced dead at Dallas Parkland Memorial Hospital about 30 minutes after the shooting.
1963: John F. Kennedy assassination
According to the Warren Commission Report, in 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald shot and killed President John F. Kennedy from the former Texas School Book Depository.
1968: Dallas Tornado plays in North American Soccer League
From 1968 to 1981, the Dallas Tornado played in the North American Soccer League.
1969: Anita N. Martínez becomes councilwoman
In 1969, Anita N. Martínez became the first Latin American to sit as a councilwoman in Dallas's city council.
1971: Frozen margarita machine
In 1971, restaurateur Mariano Martinez invented the Frozen margarita machine.
1972: Texas Rangers relocate from Washington D.C.
In 1972, the Texas Rangers franchise relocated from Washington D.C.
1980: Dallas Mavericks join NBA as expansion team
In 1980, the Dallas Mavericks joined the National Basketball Association as an expansion team.
1980: Record High Temperature
On June 26 and 27, 1980, during the Heat Wave of 1980, the all-time record high temperature of 113 °F (45 °C) was set at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.
1981: Dallas Tornado plays in North American Soccer League
From 1968 to 1981, the Dallas Tornado played in the North American Soccer League.
1984: Original Dallas Sidekicks operate
From 1984 to 2004, the original Dallas Sidekicks operated as a soccer team.
December 8, 1991: Belo's purchase of Dallas Times Herald
On December 8, 1991, Belo purchased the Dallas Times Herald, the Morning News' major competitor, and closed the paper down the next day.
1993: Dallas Stars relocate to North Texas
In 1993, the Dallas Stars moved to North Texas, relocating from Minnesota where they were known as the Minnesota North Stars.
1996: DART's First Light Rail System
In 1996, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) began operating the first light rail system in Texas.
1997: FC Dallas wins Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
In 1997, FC Dallas (MLS) won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
1998: Dallas Stars win Stanley Cup
Between 1998 and 1999, the Dallas Stars won the Stanley Cup.
1998: Dallas Magpies founded
In 1998, the Dallas Magpies, an Australian rules football team, were founded.
1999: Dallas Stars win Stanley Cup
In 1999, the Dallas Stars (NHL) won the Stanley Cup.
1999: Fewest Freezing Nights in Winter
The winter of 1999–2000 held the record for the fewest freezing nights in Dallas, with only 14.
2000: Fewest Freezing Nights in Winter
The winter of 1999–2000 held the record for the fewest freezing nights in Dallas, with only 14.
2003: Dallas Independent School District (DISD) data
As of 2003, Dallas Independent School District (DISD) has the majority of K–12 students in the city of Dallas.
2003: Acquisition of HBC by Univision
In 2003, Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation (HBC) was acquired by Univision and became Univision Radio Inc. The radio company remained headquartered in Dallas.
2003: Royce Hanson's statement on school districts
In 2003, Royce Hanson identified Plano, Richardson, and Wilmer-Hutchins school districts as the "most significant" for public school students in Dallas not within the Dallas ISD.
2003: Income statistics
In 2003–2007's survey, male full-time workers had a median income of $32,265 versus $32,402 for female full-time workers.
2004: Original Dallas Sidekicks stop operation
From 1984 to 2004, the original Dallas Sidekicks operated as a soccer team.
2004: John Kerry vote, Bush and Kerry
In the 2004 U.S. presidential election, 57% of Dallas voters supported John Kerry over George W. Bush. Lupe Valdez was elected Dallas County Sheriff.
September 2005: Mark Cuban purchased land
In September 2005, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban purchased land along Lamar Street near Cedars Station, with locals speculating he is planning an entertainment complex for the site.
2005: Closure of Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District
In 2005, the Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District (WHISD) was shut down for the 2005–2006 year, and students began attending other Dallas ISD schools.
2005: Designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science was designed by 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Thom Mayne.
2006: Good-Latimer tunnel torn down
In late 2006, the Good-Latimer tunnel was torn down to accommodate the construction of a light rail line through the site.
2007: Comerica Relocates to Dallas
In 2007, Comerica relocated its national headquarters to Downtown Dallas from Detroit.
2007: Income statistics
Per 2007's survey, the median price for a house was $129,600.
2008: AT&T Relocates Headquarters
In 2008, AT&T relocated their headquarters to Downtown Dallas.
2008: Obama victory and re-election of Dallas County Sheriff
In 2008, Barack Obama got 57% of Dallas County voters in the presidential election, and Lupe Valdez won re-election as Dallas County Sheriff.
2008: Trinity River Audubon Center opens
In 2008, the Trinity River Audubon Center opened as a gateway to trails and nature-viewing activities in the Great Trinity Forest.
August 2009: Regional Transportation Council Agreed to Seek Federal Funds
In August 2009, the Regional Transportation Council agreed to seek $96 million in federal stimulus dollars for a trolley project in Dallas and Fort Worth, led by the Oak Cliff Transit Authority.
2009: Commuting Habits in Dallas
In 2009, 78.5% of Dallas commuters drove to work alone, while 10.7% carpooled, 3.9% used transit, 1.9% walked, and .1% cycled.
2009: Allen Americans founded
In 2009, the Allen Americans were founded in the Central Hockey League (CHL).
2009: Cowboys relocate to new stadium
In 2009, the Dallas Cowboys relocated to their new 80,000-seat stadium in Arlington.
2009: Meadows Museum partnership with Prado Museum
In 2009, the Meadows Museum at Southern Methodist University joined up with Madrid's Prado Museum for a three-year partnership.
2009: Cotton Bowl Classic football game moves to AT&T Stadium
The college Cotton Bowl Classic football game was played at the Cotton Bowl through its 2009 game, but has since moved to AT&T Stadium.
February 11, 2010: Record Snowfall
On February 11, 2010, Dallas experienced a record snowfall of 11.2 inches (28 cm).
February 2010: Dallas Awarded TIGER Grant
In February 2010, Dallas was awarded a $23 million TIGER grant towards the $58 million Dallas Streetcar Project.
December 6, 2010: Opening of First Stage of Orange Line
On December 6, 2010, the first stage of the Orange Line opened, extending its west end from Bachman to Belt Line Station in Irving.
2010: Demographics of Dallas
According to the 2010 U.S. census, 50.7% of the population was White (28.8% non-Hispanic White), 24.8% was Black or African American, 0.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.9% Asian, and 2.6% from two or more races; 42.4% of the total population was of Hispanic or Latino American origin.
2010: Dallas Population in 2010
At the 2010 United States census the city of Dallas had a population of 1,197,816.
2010: Influx of Black and African American Residents
Between 2010 and 2020, the Dallas area had the second-most new Black and African American residents only behind the Atlanta area and slightly above the Houston area.
2010: Household statistics
In 2010 there were 458,057 households, 33.7% of all households had one or more people under 18 years of age, and 17.6% had one or more people who were 65 years of age or older.
2010: Texas Rangers win American League pennant
In 2010, the Texas Rangers won the American League pennant.
2011: Dallas Mavericks win NBA Championship
In 2011, the Dallas Mavericks (NBA) won the NBA Championship.
2011: Texas Rangers win American League pennant
In 2011, the Texas Rangers won the American League pennant.
2011: New Year's Eve Celebration
New Year's Eve 2011 set a new record of 32,000 people in attendance in Victory Park.
November 6, 2012: Russian-speaking population estimate
On November 6, 2012, the Dallas–Fort-Worth metroplex was estimated to have 70,000 Russian-speakers, primarily immigrants from the former Soviet Bloc, and the population continued to grow.
2012: Obama victory in Dallas county voters
In 2012, Barack Obama received 57% of Dallas County voters in the presidential election.
2012: Dallas Sidekicks established
In 2012, the Dallas Sidekicks, an American professional indoor soccer team, were established in Allen, Texas.
2012: Iranian American Population
In 2012, the Plano-Richardson area had an estimated 30,000 Iranian Americans.
2012: Allen Americans win CHL championship
In 2012-13, the Allen Americans won the first of two consecutive Central Hockey League (CHL) championships.
December 2013: Foreign-born population data released
According to U.S. Census Bureau data released in December 2013, 23 percent of Dallas County residents were foreign-born, while 16 percent of Tarrant County residents were foreign-born.
2013: Parkland and recreation facilities data
As of 2013, Dallas has 477 athletic fields.
2013: Allen Americans win CHL championship
In 2013-14, the Allen Americans won their second consecutive Central Hockey League (CHL) championship.
August 2014: Opening of Second and Final Phase of Orange Line
In August 2014, the second and final phase of the Orange Line opened, providing DFW Airport with rail service.
September 2014: USS Dallas Decommissioned
In September 2014, the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Dallas was planned to become a museum ship near the Trinity River after her decommissioning, but this has since been delayed.
2014: Christianity in Dallas
According to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center, Christianity was the most prevalently practiced religion in Dallas and the wider metropolitan area (78%).
2014: Evangelical Protestantism
According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2014, evangelical Protestantism constituted the largest form of Protestantism in the Dallas area, with Baptists as the largest single evangelical Protestant group.
2014: Dallas area hosts Final Four of NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
In 2014, the Dallas area hosted the Final Four of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament at AT&T Stadium.
2014: Allen Americans win ECHL championship
In 2014-15, the Allen Americans won the first of two consecutive ECHL championships.
2014: Oil price drop
Starting in mid-2014, a sudden drop in the price of oil did not significantly affect Dallas and its greater metro area due to the highly diversified nature of its economy.
2015: Households without a car in Dallas
In 2015, 10.2 percent of Dallas households lacked a car.
2015: Dallas economy strengthens
In 2015, Dallas and the metropolitan region continued to see strong demand for housing, apartment and office leasing, shopping center space, warehouse and industrial space with overall job growth remaining very robust, and significant national headquarters relocations to the area.
2015: Commuting Habits in Dallas
In 2015, the American Community Survey estimated that 75.4% of Dallas commuters drove alone, 12.8% carpooled, 3.5% used transit, 1.9% walked, and .2% cycled.
2015: Allen Americans win ECHL championship
In 2015-16, the Allen Americans won their second consecutive ECHL championship.
2015: Leading the nation in home sales
Since 2015, Dallas and the greater metro area have been leading the nation in apartment construction and net leasing, with rents reaching all-time highs and single family home sales along with home price appreciation, leading the nation.
July 7, 2016: Black Lives Matter Protest Shooting
On July 7, 2016, multiple shots were fired at a Black Lives Matter protest in Downtown Dallas. The gunman, Micah Xavier Johnson, killed five police officers and injured nine, as well as two bystanders, marking the deadliest day for U.S. law enforcement since the September 11 attacks.
October 2016: Jacobs Engineering Relocates
In October 2016, Jacobs Engineering relocated from Pasadena, California to Downtown Dallas.
2016: Plano has 6th largest Chinese American population
As of 2016, Plano, a northern suburb of Dallas, had the 6th largest Chinese American population among large-sized cities in the United States.
2016: FC Dallas wins Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
In 2016, FC Dallas (MLS) won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
2016: FC Dallas wins Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and Supporters' Shield
In 2016, FC Dallas won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the Supporters' Shield.
2016: Premiere of The Real Housewives of Dallas
In 2016, The Real Housewives of Dallas (RHOD), the ninth installment of The Real Housewives franchise, premiered on Bravo.
2016: Dallas Wings relocate to The Metroplex
In 2016, the Dallas Wings relocated to The Metroplex from Tulsa.
2016: Households without a car in Dallas
In 2016, the percentage of Dallas households without a car decreased to 9.1 percent. Dallas averaged 1.59 cars per household, compared to a national average of 1.8 cars per household.
2016: Hillary Clinton gets Democratic vote
In the 2016 presidential election, 67% of Dallas voters supported Hillary Clinton.
2017: American Community Survey estimates
In 2017's American Community Survey estimates among the demographic 35.5% were Mexican, 0.6% Puerto Rican, 0.4% Cuban, and 5.4% other Hispanic or Latino.
2017: AT&T Ranking
In 2017, AT&T was the ninth largest company in the nation by revenue.
2017: City's total budget
In the 2017–2018 fiscal year, the city's total budget (the sum of operating and capital budgets) was $3.3 billion.
2018: Housing Rate in Dallas
In 2018, the owner-occupied housing rate in Dallas was 40.2%, and the renter-occupied housing rate was 59.8%.
2018: City's total budget
In the 2017–2018 fiscal year, the city's total budget (the sum of operating and capital budgets) was $3.3 billion.
2018: City of Dallas's foreign-born population
The 2018 census estimates determined that the city of Dallas's foreign-born population consisted of 25.4% naturalized citizens and 74.6% non-citizens.
November 2019: Fair Park revitalization master plan presented
In November 2019, consultants presented to the public a master plan to revitalize the Fair Park area.
2019: Demographics of Dallas in 2019
At the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 estimates, 29.1% were non-Hispanic White 24.3% Black and African American, 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native, 3.7% Asian, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino Americans of any race made up 41.2% of the estimated population in 2019.
2020: Income and Housing Values
According to the 2020 American Community Survey, the median income for a household in Dallas was $54,747, and the median price for a house was valued at $252,300.
2020: Christianity in Dallas
According to the Public Religion Research Institute's 2020 study, Christianity was the most prevalently practiced religion in Dallas and the wider metropolitan area (77%).
2020: Dallas Population in 2020
At the 2020 United States census the city of Dallas had 1,304,379 residents.
2020: Household Statistics
At the 2020 estimates, there were 524,498 households in Dallas, out of which 137,523 had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size in 2020 was 2.52.
2020: Influx of Black and African American Residents
Between 2010 and 2020, the Dallas area had the second-most new Black and African American residents only behind the Atlanta area and slightly above the Houston area.
2020: Demographics of Dallas in 2020
By 2020, Hispanic or Latino Americans of any race continued to constitute the largest ethnic group in the city proper, reflecting nationwide demographic trends.
2020: CBRE Relocates Headquarters
In 2020, CBRE moved its headquarters from Los Angeles to Dallas.
2020: Dallas Jackals announced as new Major League Rugby franchise
In 2020, Major League Rugby announced the Dallas Jackals as a new franchise.
2020: Joe Biden gets Democratic vote
In the 2020 presidential election, 69% of Dallas voters supported Joe Biden.
2020: Increase in Murder Rate
Since 2020, Dallas's murder rate has seen a notable increase. In 2020, Dallas recorded 251 murders, a 20-year high.
February 2021: North American Winter Storm
During February 2021, Dallas was hit by the North American winter storm. The temperature at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport reached −2 °F (−19 °C) on February 16, 2021.
February 2021: Winter Storm Impact on Horticulture
During the February 2021 North American winter storm, cold-sensitive plants such as Washingtonia filifera and Washingtonia filifera var. robusta palms died off in Dallas.
February 16, 2021: Low Temperature during Winter Storm
On February 16, 2021, the temperature at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport reached −2 °F (−19 °C) during the February 2021 North American winter storm.
2021: McKesson ranking
In 2021, McKesson was listed at number seven overall on the Fortune 500 list.
2021: End of The Real Housewives of Dallas
In 2021, The Real Housewives of Dallas, which had been airing since 2016, concluded after five seasons.
July 1, 2022: Population Decrease
As of July 1, 2022, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that Dallas lost 4,835 people since the 2020 census, leaving the city with a population of 1,299,544.
2022: Fortune 500 Companies
Fortune Magazine's 2022 annual list of the Fortune 500 in America indicates the city of Dallas had 11 Fortune 500 companies, and the DFW region as a whole had 23.
2022: Murder Rate Decreases
In 2022, Dallas's murder rate decreased to 214.
2022: Homeless Count in Dallas
The 2022 Point-In-Time Homeless Count found there were 4,410 homeless people in Dallas.
May 2023: Dallas Trinity FC founded
In May 2023, Dallas Trinity FC was founded by the Neil family and managed by Chris Petrucelli.
2023: Dallas becomes largest city with Republican mayor
In 2023, Dallas became the largest city in the United States with a Republican mayor after Eric Johnson switched parties.
2023: Murder Rate Increases
In 2023, Dallas's murder rate increased to 246.
2023: Texas Rangers win World Series
In 2023, the Texas Rangers (MLB) won the World Series.
2023: Texas Rangers win American League pennant and World Series
In 2023, the Texas Rangers won the American League pennant and the World Series.
2023: Households without a car in Dallas
In 2023, the percentage of Dallas households without a car decreased to 8.7 percent.
August 2024: Dallas Trinity FC kicks off inaugural season
In August 2024, Dallas Trinity FC kicked off its inaugural season playing Tampa Bay Sun FC in a 1 v 1 tie.
2024: Kamala Harris gets Democratic vote
In the 2024 presidential election, over 60% of Dallas voters supported Kamala Harris.
2026: Cowboys stadium to host FIFA World Cup matches
In 2026, the Dallas Cowboys' stadium in Arlington is set to host the most matches during the FIFA World Cup.
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