Jump to content

DYK...Highland Park?


ADLER

Recommended Posts

Did you know that Highland Park existed from 1890 until 1933 when the City of Denton sold the property to The University of North Texas (then North Texas State Teacher's College) to build a golf course? Land developers in Dallas renamed their Philadelphia Place community after Denton's popular Highland Park in 1906. (there were some parks in their development, but they were all in lower areas along the Turtle Creek)

Denton dismantled the streetcar (trolly) lines from downtown to Highland Park in 1918 to contribute the steel to the war effort. Visitation to the park declined greatly in 1927 with the construction of Lake Dallas southeast of Denton, making Highland Park expendable for the city.

The only remnant of the name is Highland Park Drive which ran along the south side of the park. 

Highland Park has since been converted from a golf course into the Athletic Village at The University of North Texas and tailgating parties and football games take place on the Highland Park hill every football season.

Aerial-View-of-Apogee-Stadium-Photo-Cour

 

Edited by ADLER
  • Upvote 5
  • Lovely Take 1
  • Thanks 1
  • Confused 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The far better story is why was this property so special and what made it available to be turned into a park in 1890.

The three ponds on the property were fed by natural springs. This high water table was why the Fouts Field stadium could not have the track removed and the stadium dug deeper into a bowl configuration. These were the western most springs in the entire region, on the border of woods to the east and bison laden grasslands to the west,  and a coveted source of fresh water for the Wichita Tribe which had a permanent settlement for at least the last several hundred years.

By the 1870's barbed wire cut off the bison migration routes, and by the 1880's unregulated water drilling and drought had lowered the water table to the point where the springs often stopped flowing. The Wichita Tribe which had peacefully coexisted with European settlers soon departed for other regions to the north and west. Their land was kept for them surrounded by developers claims, and was eventually turned into Highland Park.

 

Edited by ADLER
  • Upvote 2
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, greenjoe said:

I believe every word you wrote, but just for fun, could I look through your bibliography cards please. 

6 for Heisman

GO MEAN GREEN

Here's a tiny part: http://www.ntxe-news.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=53&num=85890

https://dentoncountyhistoryandculture.wordpress.com/2017/11/17/native-american-heritage-month-denton-countys-original-settlers/

Highland Park, Pilot Knob across I-35W and Hickory Creek which runs between the two all have significant historical significance.

Aubrey, six miles northeast of campus, was a large Cherokee settlement.

Edited by ADLER
  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, ADLER said:

People often think that Highland Park Road over by the stadium is named after the city in Dallas County, when in actuality, it's just the opposite. The city in Dallas County was named after the actual Highland Park which is now our athletic village.

The ponies are going to love this.

Image result for My little pony gif

  • Upvote 1
  • Haha 2
  • Downvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Please review our full Privacy Policy before using our site.