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A Brief History of Oak Cliff
1921-1940 |
Note: This history was originally compiled as a part of a
90th anniversary project at Tyler Street
United Methodist Church. It is a work in progress -- I'd appreciate any contributions,
corrections, information & pictures. --
Alan
Please visit some of the other pages on the
Oak Cliff site that include trivia, remembrances and history contributed by
web site readers.
Early History
| 21-40 |
41-60 |
61-80 |
81-2000 | 2001 &
beyond |
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1921 to 1930 |
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Growth: By 1921, Oak Cliff was becoming a great place for business. As a result, the
Oak Cliff and Dallas Commercial Association was set up up with L.O. Donald as
its first president. This organization later became the Oak Cliff Chamber of
Commerce.
In 1925, a second high school, Sunset High School was built. A great rivalry
emerged between the two Oak Cliff schools, and both schools dominated the state
in sports competition. From 1921 to 1923, even though Oak Cliff schools were
relatively small, they won state championships in basketball twice, and football
and tennis championships once each.
W. H. Adamson was
a revered principal of Oak Cliff High School. In 1922, this tribute appeared the
The Oak: "If Oak Cliff Spirit means good, clean sportsmanship; if it
means honorable dealing with both friend and foe; if it means a determination to
win or else to go down fighting gloriously, then Oak Cliff Spirit and W. H. A.
are synonymous! We revere him for his work as an educator as well as for his
sportsmanship. The purposes of education are said to be; the formation of
character, the inculcation of ideals, and the creation of real citizens of the
community. By both example and precept, Mr. Adamson stands fore these three
aims. A certain great writer one said that the first requisite of a gentleman
was “consideration for others,” and in this quality our principal is supreme.
His sympathy, unfailing kindness and generous understanding have compelled the
admiration of his students and his teachers – to all of whom he stand as a high
example of all that is implied in the term “gentleman.” Fellow classmates, we
ask that, whenever your glance may falls on these pages, you will stand for a
moment in admiration for and respect to Mr. Adamson – sportsman, educator and
gentleman – the man the influence of whose ideals and spirit may easily be
traced in hundreds of our Oak Cliff homes – your own included."
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W.H. Adamson |
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In 1927, the first ever 7-11 store opened on the corner of Edgefield and 12th
Street. This is a picture of that early store. The
location remained a 7-11 store until sometime in the 1980s. |
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This photo shows Lake
Cliff in the 1920's. At that time, the lake included an amusement
park. Lake Cliff is located on the corner of Colorado and Zang Blvd.
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This photo is from an Oak Cliff Little Theater production in
the 1930s titled "The Last Mile". The "Little Theater" movement in the 20s
and 30s saw a number of playhouses spring up all around the country and
troupes moved from place to place presenting productions. Some still exist.
(photo from David Wren)
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1931 to 1940 |
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Like the rest of the world, Oak Cliff’s economy staggered
under the weight of the Great Depression. With jobs hard to find, some people
resorted to crime. One of the nation’s most notorious crime duos, Bonnie and
Clyde, lived in Oak Cliff. When their reign of crime was stopped in 1934, they
were both buried (in separate cemeteries) in Dallas and Oak Cliff. Methodist
Hospital, which opened in 1928, almost went into foreclosure in 1934, and was
finally saved by private donations. The Texas Theater, seating an amazing 2,000
people, opened in 1931. For live theatre, Oak Cliff residents could go to the
Oak Cliff Little Theater, which was located across from Lake Cliff.
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Methodist Hospital, circa 1940 |
Several Oak Cliff churches that had grown and expanded in the 1920s found
themselves in a financial crisis as members lost jobs and income plummeted.
Tyler Street UMC members were shocked to find the doors of the church padlocked shut
on Easter Sunday morning in 1932. Services were held in the Rosewin Theatre, the
Calvary Baptist Church and Sunset High School until the building was bought back
(for half of what it originally cost.) On December 29, 1940, a dedication
service for the Church was held to celebrate the retirement of the debt. |
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Go to Oak Cliff Home History Page
Go to Oak Cliff History Year 1920-1940
Go to Oak Cliff History Year 1940-1960
Go to Oak Cliff History Year 1960-1980
Go to Oak Cliff History Year 1980-1999
Go to Oak Cliff History Year 2000 and
beyond
Treat other people the way you want to be treated.
This page was last edited on
April 18, 2008 | |
Those Who Served
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