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YESTERDAY

Postcards from Dallas
By Tom Peeler |

“I just landed in Dallas and I don’t know what to do with myself. ”

-Fred, 1909

FROM 1900 TO 1920, THE CITY’S POPULATION NEARLY QUADRUPLED. With horse racing at Fair Park, vaudeville shows and shopping downtown, and concerts at Lake Cliff, the place was quite a sight for someone like Fred, who probably had spent most of his time looking at the back end of a mule. A record of the impressions of die visitors during this glorious era can be gleaned from the capsule comments noted on postcards that fanned out across the country decades ago, but which bave since come home to roost in local collections.

“I taken in the skating rink last night and it is a peach. The largest in the world! I can’t keep money here, have spent $228 in three weeks. But I like here about 579 million times better than Corsicana. ” -James, Lake Cliff Amusement Park, 1907



“This town is too big for me. I don’t like it.” – Bill, 1910



“Dallas is a lovely place. The wild plums are beautiful. There are so many different kinds, one can pick a lovely bouquet by the roadside. “

-Mrs. G.A., 1915



1 bave a room with a window on the top floor, but I don’t dare look jut. ” -Aunt L., 1907 (from THE SIX-STORY ORIENTAL HOTEL)



’Arrived here right side up and on time. Wouldn’t care if I never came hack to New York.”

-Howard, 1912



“Summer has come here. All the girls wear sunhonnets to school. ” –

-Bertha Mae, 1905



“This is some city and has the best people you ever saw. We live right on the car line and see something all the time.”

-Cousin M.,Ervay Street, 1914



“It has not rained down here for a month. It did not rain all last summer.” -W.H.S., 1910



“Longing for old Lake Michigan today. 106 in the shade and there is no shade. I won’t be able to stand much more of this. “

-John R., 1922



“Homes are scarce here. The five-and six-room modem houses rent for $40 and up.”

-Mrs. Wood, 1919



“Turn your money loose and come to the fair, for it is fine.”

-G.R., 1908



“Stop with me when in Dallas. If you can’t stay all night, check your valise and make yourself at home.”--Fred McJunkin, Manager, Southland Hotel, 1918



“We are just done picking cotton. We have out 12 bales and about one more to pick. We are making a rite smart of money. “

-J.W., 1909



“Only 17 years of age-getting $60 per mo. ” -MACK, 1908



“Say does this building look high to you? I was on the roof the other day but could not see you. ” -verna, 1914 (from the 15-story Praetorian Building)



“Would write more extensively, but my head hurts too bad. Am going out to see the town as soon as I can get me some dope. “

-H.W., 1909



“Shoes are awfully high-priced here. 1 saw a real nice white pair but they were $2.95.”

-KITTIE, 1916

“No cowboy is seen as yet. “

-Albert, 1908



“I tell you I wish you was here. We’d bave a time kiddo. “

-Mary, 1907



“Mama we are actually having such a time talking and seeing new duds there isn’t time to write. Everything is lovely. We went to a show and caught the 11:30 car. We were mortally tired. We are going to have a good time today and work tomorrow. “

-Lizzie, 1909



“As this building towers above every other building in Dallas,so may this new year bring you success and happiness above all the years that are past and gone. “

-Agnes Graham, 1910 (Praetorian Building)



“By artificial refrigeration, they keep the temperature of the dining room at 72 degrees, while outside it is anywhere from 90 to WO. ” -Uncle Everett, 1928 (Baker Hotel)



“Well, we landed alright and like the place. Effie isn’t going to move to the farm after all. “

-W.D., 1916

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