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Guide No. 206:

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

Overview of the Collection

Repository:

Dallas Municipal Archives
Office of the City Secretary
1500 Marilla Street, 5D South
Dallas, Texas 75201

Creator: Dallas Park and Recreation Department
Title: Dallas Park and Recreation Department Centennial History Working Papers and Research Materials
Dates: 1972 -1976
Quantity: One linear foot
Abstract: Manuscript drafts and research materials of the Dallas Park Department centennial history
Identification: 96 - 003
Language: Records are in English

Scope and Contents

Collection consists of manuscript drafts and research materials of the Centennial History of the Dallas, Texas Park System, 1876 to1976. 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 J. 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, 1,020 sports complexes, 490 playgrounds and picnic areas, 21 pools, six 18-hole golf courses, two driving ranges and the 100-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.

Collection consists of a photocopied draft manuscript with corrections and annotations, 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.

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Index Terms

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

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Box Folder
Title, Date
    Manuscript draft:
1 1 Memorandum concerning the origins of the centennial history project, 1975
  2 Centennial History of the Dallas, Texas Park System, 1876 -1976 draft, introduction through "Development Since 1945"
3 Centennial History of the Dallas, Texas Park System, 1876 -1976 draft, Chapter 1 through Chapter 4
4 Centennial History of the Dallas, Texas Park System, 1876 -1976 draft, Chapter 5 through Chapter 12
5 Centennial History of the Dallas, Texas Park System, 1876 -1976 draft, beginning of Volume Three through Index
 
Oral history transcripts:
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 faciltiies, circa 1910 - 1961
   

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