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| In a change for
the better, I moved from Downtown Garland
to the outer edges of Uptown Dallas
in March 2018. Doing so meant that I would have to take the bus to
work instead of the train. On one of these many journeys, I noticed
a park on Lemmon Avenue situated next to the Dallas North Tollway
across from the Whole Foods Market. I decided I would one day visit
it if I ever had the chance. That opportunity arrived on a cold January
day when I decided it would be faster to walk to the store than wait
for the next bus. On my way, I passed Braddock Park at 4600 Lemmon
Avenue but paid a visit on the return trip. The park, established
in 1922, was considerably large and barren. According to the 1936
historical marker, constructed as part of the Texas
Centennial statewide celebration, credits the park as being the
earliest historic site in Dallas
County because it was the location of a forgotten town called
Cedar Springs. |
Cedar Springs
Centennial Marker
Photo
courtesy Clint
Skinner, March 2019 |
Cedar Springs
Centennial Marker in Craddock Park
Photo
courtesy Clint
Skinner, March 2019 |
| The granite marker
read: Visited in 1840 by Colonel Wm. G. Cooke's preliminary exploration
for a route between Austin
and Red River. A community also called Cedar Springs, established
in this vicinity in 1843 by Dr. John Cole, rivalled Dallas
in an election in 1848 for county seat. In 1929, the land was annexed
to Dallas. |
Cedar Spring
Historical Marker by the apartment complex
Photo
courtesy Clint
Skinner, March 2019 |
| Curious to know
more about Cedar Springs, I headed to my best friend's apartment complex
at the intersection of Kings Road and Cedar Springs Road. Located
only a few blocks from my own place, it had two historical markers
which I had never gotten around to reading for one reason or another.
I decided on the spot to check them out and see if they had anything
to do with the town's history. After entering the complex, I walked
through the familiar park and read the 1984 historical marker.
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Cedar Springs
Historical Marker
Photo
courtesy Clint
Skinner, March 2019 |
The sign stated:
Although settlement of the town of Cedar Springs did not begin until
after 1843, the area had been surveyed during the late 1830s by Colonel
G. W. Cooke in preparation for construction of a military road from
Austin to the Red River.
In 1843, Dr. John Cole and his wife, Mary, along with their eight
children, arrived in this area. Cole received a Peters colony land
grant about two miles east of the Cedar Springs branch of the Trinity
River. Preferring to settle closer to the springs, he purchased additional
acreage in this area, built a home, and opened a general store.
The name of the community possibly was taken from the abundance of
cedar trees near the springs. Cedar Springs gradually attracted additional
settlers, and several other businesses, including a distillery, steam-powered
flour mill, and grist mill, were begun.
Development of the Cedar Springs community declined following Dallas'
selection as the Dallas
County seat in 1850. Toward the end of the nineteenth century,
the area began to experience suburban growth and was renamed Oak
Lawn. The site of the early town of Cedar Springs was annexed
by the City of Dallas in a series of municipal actions between 1920
and 1940. |
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The Reichenstein
Home with historical marker
Photo
courtesy Clint
Skinner, March 2019 |
Although my
intention was to read both markers, I only read the one located in
the park. A few weeks ago, I finally got around to reading the third
marker. It refered to the building currently serving as the leasing
office and mail center. Beforehand, it was called the Reichenstein
Home.
The marker said: Dallas native Jacob Reichenstein (1881 - 1950) became
a leader in the city's retail lumber trade. Beginning as a clerk with
Cowser and Company in 1902, he was made a partner and general manager
in 1915 and president of the company three years later. This home,
built for his family in 1931, was designed by Dallas architects Marion
Fooshee and James Cheek. The Reichenstein home features decorative
brickwork, Palladian transoms, and a steeply-pitched hip roof. |
Thus ends this
tale of three markers and a forgotten town called Cedar Springs.
© Clint
Skinner |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
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