4th of July at White Rock Lake — 1946
by Paula Bosse
So much going on here! (Click for super-gigantic image!)
by Paula Bosse
I love absolutely everything about this photo of July 4th celebrants relaxing at White Rock Lake near the Bath House (back when people actually swam in the lake!). All that’s needed is a pet monkey on a leash and a few parasols, and you’d have an updated Tex-ified version of Seurat’s La Grande Jatte painting.
This is a photo definitely worth zooming in on. All images here are really big — click ’em! You can practically smell the wienies roasting/croissants baking. Have a happy and safe 4th of July!
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Copyright © 2016 Paula Bosse. All Rights Reserved.
Flashback : Dallas 
This is possibly my favorite photo of all time. It’s epic. The human drama just drips from the image. I know it’s just the angle of the lens, but the Mama at right center who probably took her kids to swim and cool off, looks like she has six toes on her left foot.
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Ha!
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I can’t stop examining this photo. Most of the men are stripped down to their trunks and most women are fully dressed. There is also an apparent time traveler from our current time. The lady standing behind Mama is dressed for today with her crops, shades and hairstyle!
Happy 4th!! Remember all gave some and some gave all so we could enjoy the freedom we celebrate today.
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I thought that same thing…In both photos!!!
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What a great photo! I was just a couple of weeks old when this photo was taken, but I’ve known the Bath House area my entire life. Thanks for posting this very appropriate 4th of July photo Paula.
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Thanks, Danny!
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This is such a good memory. I was 15 and am sure I was there cause that’s what we did on Saturday and holidays.!!! All greasy with baby oil, who knew that was bad.
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[…] “4th of July, White Rock Lake — 1946.” The war is over, and everyone looks happy and relaxed. This was the most-viewed photo I posted this year. I love it. From the Seurat-like composition (see the post for explanation) to the fact that a reader commented that she recognized her aunt and cousins in this photo (the five women sitting in a row, behind the two women with the legs propped up). So much is going on here — it was a great photo to zoom in on. […]
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[…] “4th OF JULY AT WHITE ROCK LAKE — 1946” This wonderful photo of White Rock picnickers and swimmers, taken near the Bath House on July 4th, […]
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Cool! I moved near the lake when I was 5. Spent many years at the lake during the summer. And loved the drive around it. In the gigantic pic I love the woman on the left outfit and hairstyle. So beautiful !
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[…] One of my all-time favorite Flashback Dallas photos: Dallasites at White Rock Lake enjoying the first Independence Day following World War II. See this photo really big (and there’s a lot to see!) in the original post from 2016, “4th of July at White Rock Lake — 1946.” […]
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This picture ranks right up there with the one showing the ’20s crowd breaking up after the parade (or whatever) has passed along Ervay on the east side of Neimans. They don’t make realities like that anymore.
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I there were no black or Latino people in a Dallas back then or.. could it be that they weren’t welcomed?
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Sadly, like many Southern cities of the time, Dallas was a very segregated city.
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All courtesy of works progress administration of the depression era! The development north I suppose rendered the lake unswimmaable. Though I do not know that.
A beautiful and wonderful memory of Dallas
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Can I purchase a copy of the photo?
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Sorry, I don’t know where one could purchase a copy of this.
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Loved it then, love the memory of it now.
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Just know my mom is out there somewhere. 1944 graduate of North Dallas High.
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