Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas is a city that lives up to its slogan “Live large. Think big.” Its population of 1.3 million makes it the third largest city in Texas and the ninth largest city in the United States. It is a diverse and modern city home to several Fortune 500 companies. Its bustling economy makes the city an excellent destination for those interested in moving to Dallas. Besides having a large number of businesses, it also has some of the best shopping and dining in the nation, with more shopping centers and restaurants per capita than New York City (the largest city in U.S). Dallas is also famous for its barbecue, authentic Mexican, and Tex-Mex cuisine. When moving to Dallas, you will surely be in for a treat.
History:
Dallas was founded in 1841 when a lawyer from Tennessee, John Neely Bryan, settled near the Trinity River. Bryan had first visited the area in 1839 to survey a spot for a possible trading post for Indians and settlers. He then went back to Tennessee to settle his affairs. When Bryan returned in November 1841, he instead decided to build a permanent community. He invited people from a nearby community called Bird's Fort to settle in his new town. It did not take long for the new town’s population to grow, and in February 1856, Dallas was incorporated as a city.
Gradually the young city prospered. The residents’ positive attitude helped bring the railroads to the area in the 1870s, the Federal Reserve Bank in 1914, Southern Methodist University in 1915, Dallas Love Field Airport in 1927, the Texas Centennial Exposition in 1936, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in 1973 and the Republican National Convention in 1984, and other historic and economic milestones. Its pioneering spirit still lives in Dallas today as it continues to strive towards progress and attract more people. Its modern-day settlers keep Dallas moving companies constantly on the go.
Economy:
Technological industries lead the diverse economic climate in Dallas. Major industries include defense, financial services, information technology and data, life sciences, telecommunications and processing. ExxonMobil, Kimberly-Clark, Neiman Marcus, and Texas Instruments are among the 12 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the area.
The city is referred to as the “Silicon Prairie” because it is a center for telecommunications in the United States. A strip in Richardson, north of Dallas, known as the Telecom Corridor is the concentration of telecommunications companies. Nortel, Ericsson, Alcatel and other telecom companies call the area home. Real estate and tourism are also major industry sectors in Dallas.
Tourism:
Dallas attracts travelers from around the globe. It offers countless opportunities to experience the cultural and religious diversity of the city through events, festivals and attractions. Popular tourist destinations include the Reunion Tower, the Sixth Floor Museum (devoted to John F. Kennedy's life, work and death), the White Rock Lake Park, the Dallas Arboretum, the Dallas World Aquarium, and the Dallas Zoo.
Of course, a trip to Dallas would not be complete without a visit to one of its many shopping centers. Highland Park Village, opened in 1931, was declared a National Historic Landmark for being the second shopping center ever built in the United States. Malls such as the Dallas Galleria and the NorthPark Center are notable tourist magnets.
Colleges/Universities:
• University of North Texas at Dallas
• University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
• Texas Woman's University
• Dallas Baptist University
• Paul Quinn College
Interesting Facts:
• The popular convenience store chain, 7-Eleven, started in Dallas in 1922.
• The first integrated circuit was invented by Jack Kilby in 1958 at Texas Instruments based in Dallas.
• The Dallas Public Library displays one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence, printed on July 4, 1776.
• The Dallas Farmers Market is the largest working farmer’s market in the United States, with more than one million visitors annually.
• Movies “Leap of Faith,” “Pure Country,” “Ruby,” “JFK,” “Creepshow,” “Born on the Fourth of July,” “Robocop,” “The Karate Kid” and the Oscar-winning “Silkwood” were all filmed in Dallas County.
• The television series “Dallas” featured the Dallas area for 13 years and was shown in 95 foreign countries. The legendary Southfork Ranch still operates a short distance outside of the city
Helpful Links:
• Dallas Real Estate
• Dallas Storage Facility
• Dallas Insurance
• Dallas Dental Offices
• Dallas Moving Guide
• Dallas Official Website