Here Are The Oldest Photos Ever Taken In Dallas-Fort Worth And They’re Incredible

Dallas and Fort Worth both have a Wild West past filled with entrepreneurs, developers, gunslingers, ranchers, and settlers looking to make Texas their home. Dallas was founded in 1841 as just another small town on the Western Frontier. Due some ingenious sneakiness by some forefathers, the railroad was tricked into coming through the town, ensuring Dallas' future as a commercial center. Fort Worth on the other hand, received its name in 1849 in honor of Army General William Jenkins Worth, who set up forts to mark and protect the west Texas frontier. Together, Dallas in the 1800s, along with Fort Worth, grew to become the population powerhouse that, today, is typically referred to as the Metroplex. Lucky for us, many old Dallas photos and postcards of the early days have been saved to be treasured. Take a look at these old pictures of Dallas, Texas.

1. Main Street, Dallas - 1872

Note the interesting storefront names, such as Lobenstein Hides Wool & Peltries, seen in the front right corner.

2. A pair of early settlers in Fort Worth - Undated

3. Illustrious Texas Rangers - late 1800s.

Whenever there was a threat to Texas, these cowboys came together to protect their state.

4. 13th annual State Fair of Texas - 1898

The first was in 1886, which drew in 14,000 people on opening day!

5. Downtown Dallas - early 1900s

6. Fort Worth territory - turn of the century

The Fort Worth Stock Yards brought in cattle drives from all over the West.

7. Dallas store interior - early 1900s

This photo shows the store clerks at full attention at Jack Browder's shop.

8. Dallas Parade - early 1900s

9. Overcrowded cattle pens at the Fort Worth Stockyard - early 1900s

10. Cotton Market, Dallas - early 1900s

The thriving textile industry and rail transportation helped cement Dallas' longevity as a city.

11. Fort Worth area - 1906

A group of surveyors breaking camp after a long day's work.

12. Armour & Co., Fort Worth - early 1900s

13. Dipping sheep, Fort Worth - 1907

This protects the livestock from infestation against parasites.

14. Flooded railroad tracks, Dallas - 1908

15. Ursula Convent, Dallas - 1909

16. The Akard Streetcar, Dallas - 1910

17. Fields of Flight, Dallas area - 1914

Looking at these old pictures of Dallas, Texas, really makes me think about how deep our Texas roots run. How about you? Would you have liked to have lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area during the days of the Wild West? What type of vocation would you have wanted and why? Let us know in the comments below!