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What Dallas looked like in the 1950s Through these Fascinating Historical Photos

Dallas entered a period of spectacular growth after WWII. The population of the city in 1950 was 434,462. Several large aircraft factories were established in the area, making the city one of the world’s largest technological centers. In 1957, two developers, Trammell Crow and John M. Stemmons opened the Dallas Market Center. It is one of the world’s largest wholesale trade complexes.

In 1959, the Dallas Theater Center, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, was opened. The same year, the Southland Center, the tallest building west of the Mississippi River, was dedicated.

Here are some fascinating historical photos that will take you back to the 1950s in Dallas

#1 A passenger points to one of the segregation signs removed from all Dallas Transit Company buses, following a Supreme Court ruling banning segregation on all public transportation within a state, 25th April 1956.

#3 State Fair of Texas Midway show “Sally Rand Texas Lil’ Darlin'”, Dallas, 1950

#4 Aerial view of Parkland Hospital, 1950

Aerial view of Parkland Hospital, 1950

#6 A mother washes clothes in the presence of her children in Dallas, Texas, 1950

#7 Texas Bank and Trust Company building, downtown Dallas, 1952

Texas Bank and Trust Company building, downtown Dallas, 1952

#8 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

#9 Arlington Heights vs Sunset Football, 1950

Arlington Heights vs Sunset Football, 1950

Jerry Rose of Sunset fights his way across the goal line to score the Bison's second touchdown against Arlington Heights at Dallas. Reaching for him is Ronald Clinkscale. Daivd McNair (77) is at left. The play started on the Jacket 11-yard line and was a pass from Joe Boring to Rose.

#10 Aerial view of Dallas Love Field Administration Building featuring parking area, 1950s

#11 Gone But Not forgotten, 1953

Gone But Not forgotten, 1953

A color guard from Carswell Air Force Base and civilian participants stand at attention in Greenwood cemetery as silver taps send out a tribute to 11 Canadian fliers of World War I who died while in training here.

#12 State Fair of Texas Midway ride “Roloplane”, 1950

#13 Hanger Row Love Field on the Lemmon Ave side, Dallas, 1950s

#14 State Fair of Texas show “The Flying Saucer”, 1950

State Fair of Texas show "The Flying Saucer", 1950

#17 Rock-O-Plane ride at State Fair of Texas, 1950

Rock-O-Plane ride at State Fair of Texas, 1950

#19 Offices of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1950s

#21 Offices of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith, downtown Dallas, Texas, 950

Offices of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith, downtown Dallas, Texas, 950

#22 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 958

#24 Aerial view of the Southland Center under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1957

Aerial view of the Southland Center under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1957

#25 Southland Center under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1957

#27 Skyline view of downtown Dallas, Texas looking north from the southside, showing a railroad yard in the foreground, 1955

Skyline view of downtown Dallas, Texas looking north from the southside, showing a railroad yard in the foreground, 1955

#28 Aerial view of fraternity and sorority houses, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, 1952

#29 Dallas Love Field,1950. There are airplanes parked on the parking lot. There are a lot of buildings on the background.

#30 Building under construction, downtown Dallas, 1950

Building under construction, downtown Dallas, 1950

There is a man in a crane and three men standing outside the crane. All of them are wearing a safety helmet. Buildings can be seen far in the background.

#31 TCU vs. SMU, 1953

TCU vs. SMU, 1953

#33 Building under construction, downtown Dallas, 1950 There are four men standing next to each other. Each of them are wearing a safety helmet.

#34 Aerial view, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

Aerial view, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

#35 Building under construction, downtown Dallas, 1950

#37 Dallas’ Love Field terminal exterior, 1958

Dallas' Love Field terminal exterior, 1958

#40 Central Expressway (Highway 75) with cloverleaf near Northwest highway, Dallas, 1954

#41 The industrial area near downtown Dallas, Texas, 1951

The industrial area near downtown Dallas, Texas, 1951

#42 Mercantile National Bank building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

#43 Mercantile National Bank building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1951

#44 Construction on the Adolphus Hotel, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1951

Construction on the Adolphus Hotel, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1951

#45 Construction on the Adolphus Hotel, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1951

#47 The Meadows building and Mockingbird Lane, 1957

The Meadows building and Mockingbird Lane, 1957

#49 Central Expressway and Lover’s Lane, Dallas, Texas, 1955

#50 Parade at All State Shriners meeting in Dallas, 1954

#51 Fair Park Esplanade with fireworks in sky at night during Texas State Fair, Dallas, Texas, 1950

Fair Park Esplanade with fireworks in sky at night during Texas State Fair, Dallas, Texas, 1950

#52 Parade at All State Shriners meeting in Dallas, 1954

#54 I-30 turnpike entering downtown Dallas, 1955

I-30 turnpike entering downtown Dallas, 1955

#55 Parade at All State Shriners meeting in Dallas, 1954

#57 Central Expressway, south leg, Martin Luther King Boulevard, 1957

Central Expressway, south leg, Martin Luther King Boulevard, 1957

#58 Night street scene, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

Night street scene, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

Looking east on Elm Street at Ervay Street and Live Oak Street with Walgreen Drugs, Mayflower Coffeeshop and the Mexico City Café.

#59 John “Preacher” Hays and an Unidentified Woman, 1954

#60 Parade at All State Shriners meeting in Dallas, 1954

#61 Parade at All State Shriners meeting in Dallas, 1954

Parade at All State Shriners meeting in Dallas, 1954

#62 Fair Park Midway entrance at night, Dallas, Texas, 1950

#63 Parade at All State Shriners meeting in Dallas, 1954

#64 Southland Center under construction, Dallas, 1957

Southland Center under construction, Dallas, 1957

#65 Southland Center under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1957

#66 Melba Theatre, later named Capri Theatre, 1311 Elm Street, downtown Dallas, 1951

#67 Southland Life building, Dallas, 1958

Southland Life building, Dallas, 1958

#68 Juilette Fowler Homes, 1234 Abrams Rd., Dallas, 1957

#69 Parade at All State Shriners meeting in Dallas, 1954

#70 Southland Center under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1957

#71 Southland Life and Sheraton Hotel buildings under construction, downtown Dallas, 1958

Southland Life and Sheraton Hotel buildings under construction, downtown Dallas, 1958

#72 Southland Center under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1957

#73 Southland Life and Sheraton Hotel buildings under construction, downtown Dallas, 1958

#74 Southland Life building, Dallas, 1958

Southland Life building, Dallas, 1958

#76 Southland Center under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1957

#77 Southland Life building, Dallas, 1957

Southland Life building, Dallas, 1957

#81 Banquet at Dallas, Texas, 1952

Banquet at Dallas, Texas, 1952

#83 First National Bank building drive thru, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1954

#84 Dallas downtown skyline from Commerce Street bridge with Studebaker truck in foreground, 1951

Dallas downtown skyline from Commerce Street bridge with Studebaker truck in foreground, 1951

#85 Reserve Life Insurance building under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1950

#87 Aerial view of the Meadows building, Dallas, 1956

Aerial view of the Meadows building, Dallas, 1956

#88 Aerial view of the Meadows building in downtown Dallas, 1956

#91 First National Bank building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

First National Bank building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

#93 Dormitory, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, 1958

#94 Republic Bank building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1954

Republic Bank building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1954

#95 Russell Stover Candies shop, interior, located at Main and Akard streets, Dallas, Texas, 1954

#97 Republic Bank building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1954

Republic Bank building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1954

#98 Southland Life and Sheraton Hotel buildings, downtown Dallas, 1954

#101 Southland Life and Sheraton Hotel Buildings, 1950

Southland Life and Sheraton Hotel Buildings, 1950

#102 Aerial view of Dallas Airmotive, Incorporated factory and its parking lot, 1956

#104 Southern Methodist University, Dallas, 1958

Southern Methodist University, Dallas, 1958

#105 Delta ticket counters at Dallas Love Field, Texas, 1958

#106 Sanger’s Department Store, downtown Dallas, 1950

#107 Two bridges over flooded Trinity River into downtown Dallas, 1957

Two bridges over flooded Trinity River into downtown Dallas, 1957

#109 Southland Building Annex, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

#111 Dallas Love Field, 1958

Dallas Love Field, 1958

#113 Whittle Music Company retail building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1952

#114 Dallas Love Field, 1958

Dallas Love Field, 1958

#116 Dallas Times Herald building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

#117 Skyline of Downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

Skyline of Downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

#120 Southland Center under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1957

#121 White Plaza Hotel, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1954

White Plaza Hotel, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1954

#124 Southland Center under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1957

Southland Center under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1957

#127 Dallas Love Field, 1955

Dallas Love Field, 1955

#129 Gibralter Life building ground floor, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

#130 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1959

#131 Wynnewood Village, Oak Cliff area, Dallas, Texas, 1954

Wynnewood Village, Oak Cliff area, Dallas, Texas, 1954

#133 First National Bank building drive thru, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1954

#134 Power plant, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953. The picture shows a view from outside the power plant in downtown Dallas. There is a railroad next to the plant.

Power plant, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953. The picture shows a view from outside the power plant in downtown Dallas. There is a railroad next to the plant.

#136 First National Bank building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

First National Bank building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

The picture shows the building from the outside. There are cars parked in front of the building. A sign says "timepay."

#137 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1959

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1959

#140 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

#141 Love Field, aerial view, Dallas, Texas, 1952

Love Field, aerial view, Dallas, Texas, 1952

Southwest Airmotive repair shop can be seen to the right, a several aircraft's parked along the track.

#143 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

#144 Dallas Love Field, Dallas, Texas, 1955

Dallas Love Field, Dallas, Texas, 1955

#147 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

#149 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

#151 Power plant, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

Power plant, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

#152 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1959

#154 Love Field, interior, Dallas, Texas, 1958

Love Field, interior, Dallas, Texas, 1958

#155 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1959

#157 Exterior Of Decorative Center, Dallas, Texas, 1957

Exterior Of Decorative Center, Dallas, Texas, 1957

#158 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1959

#161 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1959

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1959

#163 Gibralter Life building under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

#164 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1959

Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1959

#165 Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, addition construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

#166 Multiple office buildings under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1952

#167 Ranch style homes, residential street, possibly Wynnewood subdivision, Oak Cliff area, Dallas, Texas, 1954

Ranch style homes, residential street, possibly Wynnewood subdivision, Oak Cliff area, Dallas, Texas, 1954

There is a winding road with houses on either side. Sidewalks and driveways lead from the street to the houses.

#169 Restaurant interior, 1958

Restaurant interior, 1958

Restaurant interior, the arranged tables with white table cloth can be seen. There are lamps hanging from the ceiling.

#170 Shed building, Industrial Boulevard, Dallas, Texas, 1958

Shed building, Industrial Boulevard, Dallas, Texas, 1958

The picture shows a building next to some awnings, which are meant to protect things from the weather.

#171 Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 Northwest Parkway, Dallas, Texas, 1958

Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 Northwest Parkway, Dallas, Texas, 1958

#172 Mercantile building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

#173 Love Field, Dallas, 1950

Love Field, Dallas, 1950

Air view of the airport From above we can observe there are buildings, airplanes parked, automobiles on the road and trees

#174 Otis Elevator Company building interior, Dallas, Texas, 1953

Otis Elevator Company building interior, Dallas, Texas, 1953

#175 Mercantile Securities Building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

#176 Shed building, Industrial Boulevard, Dallas, Texas, 1958

#177 Shed building, Industrial Boulevard, Dallas, Texas, 1958

Shed building, Industrial Boulevard, Dallas, Texas, 1958

#178 Otis Elevator Company building interior, Dallas, Texas, 1953

#179 Mercantile Securities Building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

#180 Entrance to westbound Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike from Industrial Boulevard, Dallas, Texas, 1958

#181 Otis Elevator Company building, Dallas, Texas, 1953

Otis Elevator Company building, Dallas, Texas, 1953

#182 Aerial of Southwest Airmotive at Dallas Love Field, 1950

Aerial of Southwest Airmotive at Dallas Love Field, 1950

There are airplanes parked. There are automobiles parked. There is a highway on the right side of the image

#183 Praetorian Building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

#184 Otis Elevator Company building, Dallas, Texas, 1953

Otis Elevator Company building, Dallas, Texas, 1953

#185 Mercantile building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1958

#186 Dallas Love Field at night, 1950. There are lampposts with the lights on. There are automobiles parked on the parking lot.

#187 Praetorian Building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

Praetorian Building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1953

#188 Black & Decker building, Oak Lawn industrial area, Dallas, Texas, 1954

#191 Neiman Marcus’ store at night, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1952

Neiman Marcus' store at night, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1952

#192 Employers Casualty Building in Downtown Dallas, Texas, 1950

#193 Neiman Marcus building under construction, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1952

#194 Great National Life building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1950s

Great National Life building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1950s

#196 Dallas Love Field at night, 1950. There are lampposts with the lights on, on the side of the street

#197 Cotton Bowl parade, downtown Dallas, 1952

Cotton Bowl parade, downtown Dallas, 1952

#198 National Biscuit Company building, Dallas, Texas, 1958

#199 National Biscuit Company building, Dallas, Texas, 1958

#200 Great National Life building, downtown Dallas, Texas, 1950

#201 Dallas Love Field at night, 1950

Dallas Love Field at night, 1950

#202 Dallas Love Field at night, 1950

Dallas Love Field at night, 1950

There are lampposts with the lights on. There are automobiles parked on a a parking lot.

#204 Melba Theatre, later named Capri Theatre, 1311 Elm Street, downtown Dallas, 1951

Melba Theatre, later named Capri Theatre, 1311 Elm Street, downtown Dallas, 1951

#205 Praetorian Building, downtown Dallas, Texas,1953

Praetorian Building, downtown Dallas, Texas,1953

Praetorian Building, downtown Dallas, Texas

#206 Muntz TV building, Dallas. New site of Southland Life Insurance Company, 1954

#207 Aerial photograph of trapeze artists performing at Fair Park, Dallas, Texas, 1950

Aerial photograph of trapeze artists performing at Fair Park, Dallas, Texas, 1950

#208 Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 Northwest Parkway, Dallas, Texas, 1958

#209 Aerial photograph of trapeze artists performing at Fair Park, Dallas, Texas, 1950

#210 Runway at Love Field, Dallas, 1950

Runway at Love Field, Dallas, 1950

There is a landing track. There are also airplanes parked and buildings. There is also a road the runs along the bottom half of the image, there are automobiles on the road.

#211 Braniff Airways and Exchange Bank buildings with Dallas Love Field, 1950

Braniff Airways and Exchange Bank buildings with Dallas Love Field, 1950

Air view of buildings .There are parking lots around the buildings and cars parked in the parking lots. On the distance more buildings and trees can be seen.

#213 Braniff Airways and Exchange Bank buildings with Dallas Love Field, 1950

#214 Dallas Love Field, 1950

Dallas Love Field, 1950

#216 Building under construction, downtown Dallas, 1950

#217 Braniff Hanger at Love Field, Dallas, 1950

Braniff Hanger at Love Field, Dallas, 1950

#218 An aerial photograph featuring the Dallas Love Field in Dallas, Texas, 1950

#219 Dallas Love Field under construction, Dallas, 1950

#220 Building under construction, downtown Dallas, 1950

#221 Downtown Dallas, preparing building site for construction, 1950

Downtown Dallas, preparing building site for construction, 1950

#223 Downtown Dallas, preparing building site for construction, 1950

#224 Downtown Dallas, preparing building site for construction, 1950

Downtown Dallas, preparing building site for construction, 1950

#227 Downtown Dallas – Mercantile Building, 1951

Downtown Dallas - Mercantile Building, 1951

#229 The Mercantile Building in downtown Dallas, 1950

#231 Texas Press Association, Texas, 1950

Texas Press Association, Texas, 1950

#234 First Baptist Church with Pastor and lay, 1950s

First Baptist Church with Pastor and lay, 1950s

#237 Car park in Dallas, 1959

Car park in Dallas, 1959

#239 Maryland Terrapins v Texas A&M Aggies, 1957

Maryland Terrapins v Texas A&M Aggies, 1957

General view of players from the #2 ranked Texas A&M Aggies and the Maryland Terrapins stretch on the field as the band enters the stadium before an NCAA game on September 21, 1957 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.

#241 The Train “Sam Houston Zephyr” in Dallas, 1956

The Train "Sam Houston Zephyr" in Dallas, 1956

#242 General view as fans walk outside of the stadium before the Red River Rivalry Game between the #3 ranked Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns on October 8, 1955 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.

#243 General view as fans look on during the Red River Rivalry between the #3 ranked Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns on October 8, 1955 at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas.

#244 James Dean And Liz Taylor During The Filming of “Giant”, 1955

James Dean And Liz Taylor During The Filming of "Giant", 1955

#245 View up through the uncompleted steel framework of a bridge or road flyover, raised on reinforced concrete pillars, under construction in Dallas, Texas, 1955.

#247 Skyline of downtown Dallas, Texas from the backyards of tenement houses, 1950

Skyline of downtown Dallas, Texas from the backyards of tenement houses, 1950

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#248 Aerial view of White Rock Airport, Dallas, 1954

Aerial view of White Rock Airport, Dallas, 1954

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#249 Underpass from Industrial Boulevard, Dallas, Texas, 1952

Underpass from Industrial Boulevard, Dallas, Texas, 1952

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#250 T.L. Marsalis School building under construction. Dallas, Texas, 1958

T.L. Marsalis School building under construction. Dallas, Texas, 1958

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Written by Aung Budhh

Husband + Father + librarian + Poet + Traveler + Proud Buddhist. I love you with the breath, the smiles and the tears of all my life.

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5 Comments

    • Putting aside the racism, segregation, misogyny, homophobia, and other harmful aspects of the 1950s, it was during this time that many of our cities began to fully embrace the automobile. The 40s and 50s were a time when several of our people-oriented cities transformed into car-centric cities. This transformation brought about a loss of community, as people don’t have as many spontaneous interactions with others on the streets. Hence, it’s understandable to feel nostalgic for some of the positive aspects. That said, nostalgia without acknowledging all the negatives of the era is dangerous