Long before today’s traffic-packed streets of downtown Dallas and Fort Worth were days that were similarly filled with hustle and bustle of activity (though with fewer cars). Shops lined the main corridors of the town, and judging from these photos, the streets saw lively action, even back in the eras of cattle drives and horses and buggies. Here are 13 vintage photos that capture the charm of area in decades past.

1. Main Street, Dallas - 1872
coltera/Flickr
2. 13th annual State Fair of Texas - 1898
Courtesy of Big Tex
The first fair was in 1886, which drew in 14,000 people on opening day!
3. Main Street, downtown Dallas, Texas - early 1900s
coltera/Flickr
You can already see the significant growth of the city here!
4. New Exchange Building, Fort Worth - 1903
Courtesy of Stockyards Museum
5. The Fort Worth Stockyards filled with cattle and drovers - early 1900s
Courtesy of the Fort Worth Stockyards
6. Parade in downtown Dallas, Texas - early 1900s
coltera/Flickr

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7. President Roosevelt planting a tree in downtown Fort Worth - 1905
SMU Central University Libraries/Flickr
8. A night view of downtown Dallas - 1942
Arthur Rothstein/Wikimedia Commons
9. Old Fort Worth Gas Station - date unknown
Courtesy of John S
10. Texas Interurban Railway Building, Dallas - date unknown
Wikimedia Commons
11. Fort Worth's Main Street, leading up to the Tarrant County Courthouse - circa 1948
Courtesy of Kent Couch
12. Modern day H3 Restaurant in historic building at Fort Worth Stockyards
bryan.../Flickr
13. The roundhouse at Fort Worth Stockyards
bryan.../Flickr
Rail became a significant presence in Fort Worth, and the roundhouse remains today.

It’s amazing to see how full of life Dallas – Fort Worth was, long before we became the Metroplex. We’ve always known we live in a special spot, but seeing history come to live through photos really gives you a wonderful perspective of the past. Which photo is your favorite? Share you thoughts in the comments!

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