City Park News

Dallas to memorialize victims of racial violence with historical markers

Martyr's Park in Dallas

www.dallasparks.org

The City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department will unveil two historical markers to memorialize victims of 19th century racially motivated violence in a ceremony at Martyr's Park downtown.

Remembering Black Dallas and Dallas County Justice Initiative are also participating in the unveiling, which happens at 10 am on Saturday, June 22.

The following leaders will present ceremony remarks: Mayor Eric Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins, Dallas Park and Recreation Board President Arun Agarwal, Dallas County Commissioner District 3 John Wiley Price, Author/Motivational Speaker Dr. Sharon Patterson, Remembering Black Dallas' Beverly Davis, and Dallas County Justice Initiative's Ed Gray.

Here are more details on each of the markers:

"Jane Elkins is significant to Dallas County and statewide history," is the lead-in on a marker that details how Elkins was the first documented enslaved person purchased in Dallas County and the first woman to be legally hanged in the state of Texas.
"The Fire & Lynchings of 1860" marker recalls the circumstances of three Dallas slaves falsely accused of starting a destructive fire in downtown Dallas. Sam Smith, Patrick Jennings, and "Old Cato" were hanged on newly built gallows at what is now Martyrs Park.

Martyr's Park is less than an acre in size and has had recent renovations, including new landscaping with crepe myrtles lining a newly installed walking path, irises planted on newly built berms, and shrubs gracing the park entrance. Refurbished pedestrian tunnel at the Triple Underpass off Dealey Plaza makes getting to park more accessible.

In March, the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture dedicated a public art sculpture at the park titled “Shadow Lines” to victims of racial violence lynched between 1853 and 1920.

santa's favorite city

Dallas dazzles as the No. 2 most festive city in America this year

Photo by Stevan Koye

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Dallas' holiday spirit is shining extra bright: The city was just named the No. 2 most festive city in the nation according to a recently released annual report by home services provider Thumbtack.

This is the third year in a row that Dallas has prevailed, hanging onto the coveted No. 2 spot since 2022, with only Austin in its way for total list dominance.

The study compiled data from millions of holiday light installation requests across all 50 states between October 2023 to October 2024 to reveal their list of the most festive cities in the nation.

Dallas residents have plenty of citywide light displays to pull inspiration from for their own homes, including the new Coca-Cola Classic Christmas experience in Arlington, Dallas Zoo Lights, and many more.

Texas cities are far merrier than many other places in the country. Austin leads the nation as the No.1 most festive city for the third year in a row, but Houston ranks just behind Dallas in the No. 4 spot. Poor San Antonio saw a drop this year, coming in at No. 10, after previously ranking No. 5 in the 2023 report.

Texans living in Dallas-Fort Worth will have to get creative when it comes to their holiday decorating, as the weather doesn't always cooperate with the classic "White Christmas" theme. But that's to be expected from the No. 3 top warm-weather travel destination nationwide.

"In the milder climates, you probably won’t find a winter wonderland, but you might see plenty of twinkling lights, tinsel, and bold colors outside the traditional red, green, and white palette," the report's author wrote. "Neon baubles, vintage plastic Santa molds, and playful LED lights keep properties festive and bright. Native eucalyptus, olive branches, and succulents are used as greenery in place of traditional pine and fir."

Outsourcing that outdoor holiday decorating will cost a pretty penny, according to Thumbtack's analysts. The study said the average cost to hire a holiday lighting specialist can range from $168-$300, depending on the scope of the project and home size. Thumbtack also recommends Dallasites avoid hiring a lighting specialist during Thanksgiving weekend, which is the time period that sees the highest demand.

Thumbtack's top 10 most festive U.S. cities in 2024 are:

No. 1 – Austin, Texas
No. 2 – Dallas, Texas
No. 3 – Seattle, Washington
No. 4 – Houston, Texas
No. 5 – San Francisco, California
No. 6 – Atlanta, Georgia
No. 7 – Sacramento, California
No. 8 – Charlotte, North Carolina
No. 9 – Raleigh, North Carolina
No. 10 – San Antonio, Texas

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