by Dustin Durrett Paul Richard Alexander, known worldwide as “Polio Paul,” was a man whose life embodied resilience, intellect, and determination. Born in Dallas, Texas, in 1946, Alexander contracted polio at just six years old during a devastating outbreak that affected thousands of children across the United States. Paul Richard Alexander, known worldwide as “Polio…
Read more
From “Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County” (1892) A. S. Toppin, contractor and builder, is one of the progressive and energetic businessmen of Dallas. He has been a resident of Texas since June, 1883, when located at Greenville, Hunt county; here he was very prominently identified with the building interest for a period of…
Read more
Blind Lemon Jefferson (born in 1893, Freestone County, Texas and died in Chicago, Illinois in 1929) was a frequent performer in Dallas’s Deep Ellum venues. He was unquestionably one of the most influential early blues musicians and the first major male solo blues recording star. He was the eighth of approximately eight or nine children…
Read more
By Rose-Mary Rumbley From Proud Heritage, Volume III by DCPA. This 352 page hardcover book is now available online. The beloved Katy Railroad engine with passenger and Pullman cars left the Union Station in downtown Dallas, ran north through the eastern part of Oak Lawn, continued running by the east edge of Highland Park, and then took…
Read more
The decade of the 1920s may have been the high water mark for Deep Ellum movie and live entertainment venues. Some of the theaters are listed below. Tickets were usually priced at less than $0.50. Grand Central Theatre – Opened in 1908 by John “Fat Jack” Harris. Grand Central was an African American owned movie…
Read more
The flying red horse Pegasus should be a well known image most likely to everyone who is at least 40 years old. For decades, it was the trademark of Mobil gas stations and other Mobilgas products and facilities. Prior to 1911, the Standard Oil Company was the largest oil company in the world. It was founded by John…
Read more
Construction began on this building in 1921 and was completed in August of 1922. The primary architect was Sir Alfred Charles Bossom (a/k/a Alfred C. Bossom), a British architect. The style is referred to as Beaux-Arts classicism. Bossom is credited with the overall design and the local firm of Lang & Witchell, collaborated on the…
Read more
By Dustin Durrett In the historic Oakland Cemetery of Dallas rests Charley Sing, remembered as the city’s first Chinese butcher. His story reflects perseverance, partnership, and the shared spirit of a growing city. Charley Sing began his career in 1899, working at a Chinese restaurant in Oak Cliff as a cook. Through hard work and…
Read more
When01/31/202612:30 pm – 4:30 pm LocationDallas County Records Bldg500 Elm StreetDallas, Texas Dallas County Pioneer Association is pleased to announce our co-sponsorship of the 27th Annual Legacies Dallas History Conference. Please note the details below: Information about the 2026 conference, to be held on Saturday, January 31st. – We have a new location and new time!…
Read more
It may be difficult to imagine today, there was a time when personal transportation (besides walking, of course) relied on horses and mules, buggies and coaches. For decades, local saddle makers enjoyed a thriving business. Two such companies were Padgitt Bros. of Dallas and Tom Padgitt, Inc. (also known as Tom Padgitt Company Wholesale Saddlery)…
Read more
© 2026 Dallas County Pioneer Association. All rights reserved.
