General -

First Anglo-American settler at the site of the present metropolis built a single log cabin here in 1841. Two years later town consisted of two log cabins. By mid-1870's, Dallas had become a thriving business town and market center with cosmopolitan, urbane air unmatched anywhere on the frontier at the time, primarily due to several immigrations of skilled and cultured groups of French, German, Swiss, English and other Europeans.

The Southwest's largest banking center, leader in wholesale business, second in nation for home of insurance companies, third in the nation in terms of million dollar companies, and number two in convention sites.

If it doesn't sell in Dallas, it won't sell, say buyers to some 32 wholesale fashion and home furnishing markets each year. Beginning with the Dallas Market Center in 1957, today main building complex includes Homefurnishings Mart, INFOMART, World Trade Center, Trade Mart, Apparel Mart, Decorative Center District, and Menswear Mart.

Citizens pursue culture with almost as much enthusiasm as business. Any day or night of the year, one may choose from a lavish variety of events. Excellent major symphony orchestra and a steady stream of visiting groups: opera and ballet, theater and musical comedy, literary societies and debating groups. Visit flower shows, horse shows, art shows, bird shows, dog shows, and cat shows. Noted for abundant gourmet dining facilities.

Summer musicals are held Jun. - Aug. at Music Hall in Fair Park, nightly Tues. through Sat., and matinees on the weekend.

An excellent climate where fair skies are usual the year round encourages outdoor activities, especially water sports.

The State Fair of Texas in the fall of each year attracts more than 3 million visitors annually to 200-acre Fair Park. Traditional fair exhibits, plus Broadway musicals, extravaganzas, prize livestock and horse show performances, a huge midway that features the Texas Star - largest Ferris Wheel in the Western Hemisphere - and grid-iron rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma. Big Tex, gigantic cowboy symbol, looms over all festivities.

Professional sports are presented throughout the year; teams include:

Pro football's Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers baseball, Dallas Stars National Hockey League, Dallas Maverick's basketball, Dallas Freeze Central Hockey League, and Dallas Sidekicks Soccer.

For games schedules and other tourist details stop any of the many conveniently located city Visitor Centers.

Dallas and surrounding communities are home for Amber Univ., Bayler Univ. College of Dentistry, the Univ. of Texas Health Science Center, Dallas Baptist College, Dallas Theological Seminary, Paul Quinn College, Southern Methodist Univ., the Univ. of Texas at Dallas, and units of the Dallas County Community College enrolling more than 75,000 undergraduates.

Bryan Cabin -

In Dallas county Historical Plaza; reconstructed log cabin of an early resident, could have belonged to John Neely Bryan who, in 1841, was the area's first settler. North of Kennedy Plaza in downtown Dallas at Main and Record Streets.

Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden -

A 66-acre haven of natural beauty only minutes from downtown Dallas. Headquarters id in the Camp Estate, designed by Texas' most famous residential architect, John Staub, and completed in 1938. Also on the grounds is the historic DeGolyer House, a magnificent Spanish Colonial style mansion built in 1940 by Texas oil man Everett DeGolyer. Mansion of 21,000 square feet has 13 rooms, 7 baths, 16th and 17th century antiques and artworks,; surrounded by Old English garden, footpaths, rolling lawns and woodlands on White Rock Lake.

Gardens are open daily from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; (Nov. - Feb. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.). At 8525 Garland Rd. (Texas 78). Admission. for tour schedules call 214/327-8263.

Dallas Museum of Art -

Superb core collection of pre-Columbian artwork plus major American art. Examples by Monet, Sargent, and Matisse; sculptures of Rodin and Henry Moore, plus special traveling exhibits. Open Tues., Wed., Fri. 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Thurs. 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Sat., Sun., some holidays 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Mon. 1717 N. Harwood at Ross St. Telephone 214/922-1200.

Dallas Zoo -

Located three miles south of downtown Dallas, the Zoo covers 95 acres and offers many rare and endangered species in natural habitats. Key exhibits include the Lacerte Family Children's Zoo with educational, interactive exhibits for toddlers to pre-teens; the ExxonMobil Endangered Tiger Habitat featuring Sumatran and Indochinese tigers; and the 25-acre Wilds of Africa, named the best African exhibit in the United States.
Open daily. 650 South R.L. Thornton Freeway. Admission.

Deep Ellum Historic District -

Just east of downtown is the popular Deep Ellum area. In the early 1900's this was the center for African-American business, entertainment, and a center for popular blues music and artists. Today, the old two-story stores have become a home of shops, restaurants, and clubs featuring music from Country/Western to rock. Several block area bounded by Elm, Commerce, Oakland and Good Latimer Streets.

Farmer's Market -

One of the few remaining and one of the largest markets in nation. Some 1,000 farmers bring fresh produce for sale. During the year special crafts, plants and flowers are featured for holiday occasions. Open daily 5 a.m. - 7 p.m. Cadiz and Harwood Streets.

McKinney Avenue Trolley -

nostalgic early 20th Century trolley cars recommisioned to take visitors from downtown to uptown McKinney Ave. for a variety of antique shops, restaurants, and clubs. Trolley runs from Ross Ave. and St. Paul St. up St. Paul to McKinney Ave. and back. Schedule posted along the route. Fare.

Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center (the Meyerson) -

Multi-million dollar facility designed by architect I. M. Pei with acoustics by Russell Johnson. 260,000 sq.-ft. symphonic hall houses the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, which plays a full schedule of both home performances and tours. Available for group tours. Open for scheduled performances; 231 Flora St.

Old City Park -

A favorite place where nostalgia of yesteryear lingers in furnished log cabins, turn-of-the-century shops, a Victorian bandstand on the village green, a drummer's hotel and Southern Colonial mansions. Grounds open dawn to sunset. Guided tours (fee) Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.; Sun. 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. At 1717 Gano St. immediately south of downtown business district.

Reunion Tower -

focal point of the Reunion area, which was a settlement of French immigrants in the 19th Century. Fifty-story tower features observation deck (fee), restaurant and revolving lounge; adjacent to glass-tower is Hyatt Regency. Nearby, restored Union Station, c. 1914. Just off I-35 at southwest edge of downtown; Houston St., Reunion Blvd.

The Sixth Floor -

Permanent educational exhibition on the life, death and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. Exhibits feature photographs, artifacts, 30-minute audio tour and six films. Visitor Center at the former Texas School Book Depository has elevators up to the 6th floor. Open Sun. - Fri. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Ticket sales stop one hour before closing. At 411 Elm St. Admission.

Visitor Centers -

Visit the information office in North Park Mall, Mon. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. noon - 5 p.m. Also at west End Market Place Mon. - Sat. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. noon - 6 p.m.

West End Historic District -

Early day business district has been revived and restored with shops, push-cart traders, craftsmen, restaurants, and clubs occupying modern facilities within the original architecture. Also here is the 1892 red sandstone courthouse, one Dallas' oldest buildings at Main and Houston Sts. Several block area, centered around market St. from Pacific to McKinney. Served by DART Hop-a-Bus.