No comments about Greetings from Dallas.

1 comments about Fodor's CITYGUIDE Dallas/Ft. Worth, 1st Edition: The Ultimate Sourcebook for City Dwellers (Fodor's Cityguides).

1. This guide gives a very good overview of Dallas, as well as Fort Worth, I am familiar with both cities and whomever wrote the guide has actually done their homework, which quite frankly is not always the case in guides of this sort. The guide's reviews for the most part are spot on, and I liked the maps, even though I am familar with Dallas I did learn a thing or two from this guide, which surprised me. Fodor's guides are normally well researched and this one does not disappoint and most of the guide is very current. If you are someone planning to visit the Metroplex, then I recommend you picking up this guide, it will give you a nice overview of the area and set you on the right track to having an enjoyable time in these most enjoyable cities.

No comments about Romantic Days and Nights in Dallas/Ft. Worth.

No comments about Placenotes--Dallas (Placenotes).

No comments about The Book of Dallas.

2 comments about Exploring Dallas with Children, Third Edition: A Guide for Family Activities.

1. I bought this book with hopes to show my kids around Dallas area. Well, some information in the book were outdated, and some others were no longer there. I would like to see the author rate each place by ranking them. This guide otherwise gave me a good place to start.



2. Exploring Dallas with Children, 3rd edition 2005, is an amazing family resource. Ms. Threadgill really knows Dallas as only a native can. The guidebook has provided many family outings that the whole group enjoyed as well as special activites for each of my children. As with all guidebooks, things can change overnight so it's always a good idea to call first or check the website. We have grown up with this book, starting with the first one in 1993. I look forward to additional editions. Even though my children are about grown, this information is still helpful.

No comments about Mapsco 2006 Dallas Street Guide & Directory (Mapsco Street Guide and Directory : Dallas).

No comments about The WPA Dallas Guide and History.

1 comments about Dallas Rediscovered : A Photographic Chronicle of Urban Expansion 1870-1925.

1. This book is filled with photographs of wonderful intriguing old buildings, and unlike many photograph-intensive books, it also provides great historical content.

   Starting with Dallas' early beginnings, it follows the growth of the different neighborhoods and explains the roles of businesses, natural resources, and the spread of railroads. Much of the content addresses the major real estate transactions and how land became subdivided among families, business partners, etc. There are maps showing the early layout of streets. There are stories about how many buildings were constructed, with special attention given to architectural details. In the downtown area, some of the finest buildings mingled with the most infamous. For example, the area around what is now the "West End," used to be Frogtown--one of the most notorious red light districts.

   Along the way, the book highlights the lives and contributions of many early residents--such as Robert S. Munger and Captain William H. Gaston--whose surnames are now the names of major Dallas streets.

   The influence of different ethnic and religious groups is also addressed. One example was the establishment of La Reunion Colony by European immigrants who wanted to create a Utopian society. When La Reunion failed, many of the settlers moved to East Dallas in the 1850s, rather than return to Europe, and this area of East Dallas was later called 'Swiss Avenue" in deference to them.

   Another movement was that of newly freed slaves at the end of the Civil War. Many freedman began settling in the area around an old rural black cemetary, which was eventually called Freedmantown. Other black communities developed around areas that provided greater employment opportunities. One of these areas was Deep Ellum, where many black-owned businesses operated in the 1920s.

   North Dallas began to grow as the southern part became increasingly industrial. Such was the case of The Cedars. The Cedars was an 'exclusive' address until the railroad lines began surrounding the region and the area became very industrialized. The final straw was the fouling of Mill Creek. Many of the wealthier residents moved north toward Highland Park and Swiss Avenue.

   This book is organized into several major sections based primarily on the different areas of Dallas. I would have liked to have seen better organization. The material is very interesting but there is much to wade through, and the use of minor headings to organize the material would have helped greatly. The photographs throughout the book are well-documented. In many cases, there is not only a brief history and details of the building's location, but also a follow-up on what later happened to the building.

   HOWEVER, if you approach this book like I did, and first run through each of the photos, studying the buildings and reading their descriptions--then, prepare for a terrible sense of LOSS. Because the vast majority of these buildings no longer exist, and the enormity of it will become more apparent as you try to search through the photos, looking for that rare building that might be still standing. Read their descriptions and you'll find that most of them were torn down to build parking lots, highways, sub-standard apartment complexes--or simply razed 'for commercial purposes.' You may get an overwhelming sense of how Dallas has demolished much of its history in return for quick commercial expansion.

No comments about Rand Mcnally 2008 Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex (Rand McNally Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex Street Guide).