Dallas Downtown Historic District in Dallas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
John Neely Bryan and Margaret Beeman Bryan
1810–1877 and 1825–1919
Photographed By Craig Baker, April 5, 2024
1. John Neely Bryan and Margaret Beeman Bryan Marker
In 1839 Tennessee lawyer John Neely Bryan chose this high bluff and shallow ford on the Trinity River as site for a trading post. Finding Indians scarce when he returned in 1844, he platted a town, installed a ferry, and called the place Dallas. In the 1840s, the Republic of Texas opened its Central National Road from here to the U.S. border, and drew settlers to this area with liberal land grants.
Margaret Beeman was a daughter of John Beeman, a prosperous man from Illinois, of North Carolina heritage. At 15, she met Bryan at the Cross Roads Camp Ground, Bowie County. Her father staked his claim about eight miles from Bryan's town. She and Bryan married in 1843, and became parents of six children. Margaret, her father, and other relatives strongly supported Bryan's work as "Father of Dallas."
Bryan went to the California gold rush in 1849, but gained no fortune. After his return, he donated 98 city lots for a courthouse and county seat, then sold his ferry and remaining interest in the townsite. In poor health for many years, he died in Austin at 67. Margaret Beeman Bryan lived to age 94, and saw Dallas attain a population of over 150,000
Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6605.)
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Location. 32° 46.76′ N, 96° 48.522′ W. Marker is in Dallas, Texas, in Dallas County. It is in the Dallas Downtown Historic District. Marker is on Elm Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is near the Grassy Knoll area of Dealey Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Dallas TX 75202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Abraham Zapruder (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to Dealey Plaza (a few steps from this marker); Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to Dealey Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); The Grassy Knoll (within shouting distance of this marker); Formerly The Texas School Book Depository Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Kennedy Assassination Route (within shouting distance of this marker); Dealey Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dallas.
Photographed By Kevin W., June 8, 2011
2. John Neely Bryan and Margaret Beeman Bryan Marker
Photographed By Craig Baker, April 5, 2024
3. John Neely Bryan and Margaret Beeman Bryan Marker
Photographed By Kevin W., June 8, 2011
4. John Neely Bryan and Margaret Beeman Bryan Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,894 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on November 28, 2009, by Steven Johnson of Richardson, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on April 17, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on June 14, 2011, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 17, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on June 14, 2011, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
