Dallas, Texas

Dallas was settled by Caddo Indians because it was the only natural ford across the three forks of the Trinity River. In 1838, an old Caddo Indian trace was surveyed by the Republic of Texas to become part of a National Central Road to run north from Austin to the Red River. This road was also used as a segment of the old Shawnee Trail for cattle drives to Missouri. Today that road is known as Preston Road, the first paved street in Dallas and one of the first major highways in this area.

John Neely Brian became the first settler of the area setting up a trading post on the trail in 1837. Dallas became a major inland port because it sits at the intersection of two transcontinental rail lines and highways, and DFW Airport is one of the world’s largest. In 1907, John S. Armstrong began development of a residential community to be called Highland Park, so named because of its higher elevation as compared to the surrounding area and because of a plan to reserve 20% of the developed land for parks. Wilbur David Cook, the planner who had laid out Beverly Hills, California, laid out the plans for development of the area.