Deep Ellum Script

        In the late 1800s, a “freedman’s town” was founded by a former slave.  It was called Deep Elm after its main street.  When more and more residents began settling in, the name changed to Deep Ellum due to their drawling pronunciation.  By the early 1900s, it was booming.  In the 1920s, many of its now historical buildings were constructed.  In 1930, a tunnel was constructed to connect Deep Ellum to Dallas, but it was demolished in 2006 when the city built a new DART Rail Station.  However, Deep Ellum declined in the 40s, 50s and 60s when the railroads were removed to build the North Central Expressway.  
In 1916, a building called the Temple of the Black Knights Pythias or the Union Banker’s Building was built at 2551 Elm Street.  The building was designed by Texas‘ first black architect who happened to be the son-in-law of Booker T. Washington, William Sydney Pittman. The top floors held ballrooms and auditoriums while the lower floors were offices for Dallas’ first African-american doctors and lawyers.  Later on, the city and state headquarters of the YMCA were also located there.
In 1913, Ford decided to build an Assembly Plant in Dallas.  The company chose 2700 Canton Street in Deep Ellum as their location.  It was the first plant outside of Detroit.  The plant produced Model T. Automobiles, which were, for forty years, the only cars on the road.  Ford moved to a new plant in 1925, but they continued to use the building as a warehouse and showroom.  In 1959, Adam Hats-a subsidiary of Miller Brothers Hat Company-purchased the building.  They moved out about a decade later and the building was renovated into lofts in 1996.
In 1914, Robert S. Munger, a farmer and inventor, built the Continental Gin Company Complex on 3311 Elm Street.  It is made up of four buildings.  In 1888, Munger’s factory was the largest manufacturer of cotton equipment in the United States.  It was eventually renovated into lofts in 1997.
The Dallas Tent and Awning company was built and founded by Emile Ducourt in 1878 on 3401 Commerce Street.  In 1889, Emile’s wife took over the company.  It soon became the largest tent and awning plant south of Kansas City.  Shortly after World War II, the Murray Company bought the building and used it as a satellite office of its headquarters in Los Angeles.  The Rockwell-Standard bought the building in 1965.  It was finally renovated into lofts in 1996.
The Mitchell building was constructed at 3800 Commerce Street in 1928 for a man by the name of John E. Mitchell, owner of the Mitchell Company.  It was a manufacturing firm that through the years, produced cotton gins, automobile air conditioners, ICEE soft drink machines, artillery shells and missiles.  The company folded in 1981 and the building became a haven for musicians and artists.  In 1995, the City of Dallas was forced to close the building due to violations of code, but it was remodeled and sold as lofts in 1999.
In 1919, the Farm and Ranch building at 3300 Main Street was built for Franklin Pierce, founder of Texas Farm and Ranch Publishing Company.  The building housed the editorial and publication offices of its two magazines, Holland’s and Farm & Ranch.  In 1945, Carr P. Collins purchased and then sold the company to Brownlee Currey.  Later, in 1952, Hugh Wolfe bought Holland’s magazine and kept its editorial offices in the building, while Farm & Ranch was relocated to Tennessee and then Indiana.  The printing equipment was sold to a Chicago publisher.  After the company closed, the building was used by USDA, Randazzo Inc., Kee Lox Manufacturing and Help Unlimited before staying vacant for over a decade.  It was adapted for residential use in 1997.
Milam and Conner built, at 3200 Main Street, the first U.S. Customs warehouse in Dallas; a warehouse that stored imported merchandise.  It was billed as absolutely fireproof, since it was made of bricks and concrete.  Later, the Interstate Forwarding Company was located here until they built their own warehouse in the 1920s.  The building was also used by Goodyear Tire until 1929.  During the Great Depression, the building remained vacant and then it was converted into an art gallery and a theater.  In 1991, it was adapted for residential use.
Throughout the twentieth century, the seven buildings mentioned were modified, sold and purchased.  But when the cars became more and more popular, Deep Ellum slowly evolved into a near-vacant ghost town.  In fact, I believe the Ford plant began a new modern era, but also brought on the demise of Deep Ellum.  Now-a-days, it is steadily becoming popular again with its new nightclubs, cafes, art galleries and residences.  Hopefully, the City of Dallas will be able to revive the liveliness of Deep Ellum in the near future.