Dallas: “Amusement Capital of the Southwest” — 1946
by Paula Bosse
Something for everybody! (click for larger image)
by Paula Bosse
Post-war Dallas had it all, man: our unparalleled night life included swanky hotel nightclubs where the beautiful people sipped champagne and danced to the music of tuxedoed big bands, “quieter but none-the-less entertaining taverns on the outskirts of the city” where the less beautiful people drank beer and danced to the non-stop music coming from jukeboxes, “unusual” restaurants (“where there is no music to dull the solid enjoyment of well-seasoned viands served with sparkling wines of appropriate vintage”), theatrical presentations, movies, movies, movies, and outdoor sports and recreation, including baseball at Rebel Stadium. Something for everybody!
(click for larger image)
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Photo collage and text from “So This Is Dallas,” edited by Mrs. E. F. Anderson (Dallas: The Welcome Wagon, ca. 1946); photographs by Parker-Griffith.
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Copyright © 2016 Paula Bosse. All Rights Reserved.
Flashback : Dallas 
One of the few pictures I’ve seen on line of the Starlight Operetta.
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I might have some other pictures somewhere. I love seeing the Fair Park bandshell.
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Hi Paula, is there any way I can get a copy of this pamphlet!? I live in the house of James Franklin Parker, the owner of Parker-Griffith co. I am writing a small book on the history of the house and this is a fabulous find.
Rhody parrish
214-606-0774
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Hi, Rhody. I don’t know any place that has a copy of this for sale – keep an eye on eBay and used book sites, and check out the local history section at Half Price Books. The copies of this I’ve used (there are at least two editions) are from ones loaned to me by a fellow Dallas historian. If you want to look at a copy, I know the Dallas History & Archives at the Dallas Public Library has this in their inventory. Good luck!
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