The neighborhood association teamed up with the Dallas County Historical Commission to honor the history of the neighborhood as residents recognize its changes
Attendees watch as the new historical marker is unveiled during a Juneteenth celebration in the Elm Thicket neighborhood in Dallas, Texas on June 15, 2024.Under the shade of a tree on Saturday, neighbors Alma Ayers, 88, and Joe Hearne, 82, stood and chatted with one another among the crowd. They were two of about 90 people gathered at the corner of Thedford and Lockheed avenues for the Elm Thicket-Northpark historical marker dedication.
During the dedication ceremony, Dallas City Council member Jesse Moreno spoke of different projects he has supported within the neighborhood, and the offices of U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett and State Rep. Rafael Anchia presented resolutions. Toward the end of the ceremony, the crowd sang “Lift Every Voice I See” — often referred to as “The Black National Anthem” — while the historical marker was unveiled. The fixture features a statue of two young children reading on a bench and a plaque recounting the neighborhood’s history.
Even as the neighborhood deals with new developers, residents — and former residents — say they take pride in Elm Thicket-Northpark. Lynn Maples-Edgerson, 59, said she moved out of the neighborhood after living there for over 30 years. However, she made sure to return for the historical marker dedication because the majority of her family is from the neighborhood., Breaking news intern. Gabrielle is a breaking news intern at The Dallas Morning News.