Dallas in Dallas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Elm Thicket/Northpark Neighborhood

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 20, 2024

1. Elm Thicket/Northpark Neighborhood Marker

Inscription. In 1881, a small agricultural community formed here around a dense thicket of plush elm trees surrounded by cornfields. They named their community "Elm Thicket." The neighborhood, one of several freedmen's towns in the Dallas area, evolved into a self-sufficient African American community with numerous churches, an elementary school, restaurants and various family-owned businesses. Residents describe a close-knit community where everyone looked out for each other. In 1917, Love Field School of Aeronautics confronted the neighborhood's growth with impending land and air quality changes. From 1920 to 1950, Elm Thicket faced racial segregation which led to numerous issues. The city of Dallas annexed Elm Thicket in 1929 but neglected the upkeep of the area, delaying connection to the city's water system, leaving streets unpaved and not providing access to the city's public transportation system. The Federal Housing Administration also "redlined" Elm Thicket, which negatively affected area home buying.

Despite these challenges, residents remained strong. From 1928 to 1949, students attended the local York

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School on Victoria Avenue, which was renamed in 1949 in honor of Kossuth B. Polk. In 1950, Hillard Golf Course was opened as one of the first golf courses for use by African Americans in the south. However, it closed just four years later when Love Field announced expansion and took a significant portion of Elm Thicket, containing more than 300 black-owned houses and businesses along with the golf course. During the 1970s, residents began referring to the area west of Roper St. as "Elm Thicket" and the area east of Roper St. as "Northpark" and they were eventually combined. The Elm Thicket/Northpark neighborhood remains a testament to the resilience of generations of families.

Erected 2022 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 23556.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 32° 50.46′ N, 96° 49.78′ W. Marker is in Dallas, Texas, in Dallas County. It is at the intersection of Lockheed Avenue and Thetford Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Lockheed Avenue. Touch for map.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, October 20, 2024

2. Elm Thicket/Northpark Neighborhood Marker

Marker is at or near this postal address: 6803 Lockheed Ave, Dallas TX 75209, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: F-105 Thunderchief or “Thud” (approx. 0.3 miles away); Grumman A-6 Series Aircraft (approx. 0.3 miles away); Junior League of Dallas (approx. 0.9 miles away); Oath of Office of President Johnson (approx. one mile away); Love Field (approx. one mile away); Texas’ First Airmail and Passenger Service (approx. one mile away); Love Field Airman Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); Love Field: World War I and the Early Years (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dallas.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 20, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 976 times since then and 144 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 20, 2024, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.