Eagle Ford, Dallas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eagle Ford
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|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Dallas |
| City | Dallas |
| Area | West Dallas |
| Elevation | 126 m (413 ft) |
| Population
(2000)
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| • Total | 8,013 |
| ZIP code |
75212
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| Area code(s) | 214, 469, 972 |
Ledbetter/Eagle Ford is a neighborhood located in West Dallas, Texas, United States. It's a part of a big city with a long and interesting past.
Contents
Where is Eagle Ford?
Eagle Ford is found at 32°47′05″N 96°54′03″W / 32.78472°N 96.90083°W. This location is in the western part of Dallas, Texas.
Places Nearby
The Ledbetter Neighborhood Association helps connect people in the area. Here are some places close to Eagle Ford:
- Ledbetter Gardens (to the east)
- Westmoreland Heights (also east)
- Trinity River (to the north)
- City of Irving (northwest)
- City of Grand Prairie (west and southwest)
- Singleton Industrial Area (southeast)
- Oak Cliff (south)
- Turnpike Distribution Center (southeast)
A Look Back: Eagle Ford's History
The Eagle Ford community started near an important crossing on the Trinity River. The first settlers, the Horton family, arrived from Missouri in 1844. Enoch Horton named the crossing "Eagle Ford" after finding an eagle's nest there.
Soon, other families from a nearby community called La Réunion moved to Eagle Ford. James Horton, Enoch's son, built a grist mill. He also gave land in 1857 for the Horton Cemetery. Later, he donated land for the Texas and Pacific Railway and its train station. A post office opened in Eagle Ford in 1858.
Growth and Change
Eagle Ford really began to grow after 1873. The Texas and Pacific Railway stopped building here for a few years. This made Eagle Ford a key place for shipping cattle. It became a busy community with many businesses and thousands of people. Another post office opened during this time.
When the railway finished building to Fort Worth in 1878, Eagle Ford changed. It became a place for shipping farm products instead of cattle. The population went down to about 50 people by the 1890s.
Cement Plants and New Residents
In 1907, William Foster Cowham and his partners bought land in Eagle Ford. They started the Southwestern States Portland Cement Company. This company built two villages for its workers. Many of these workers were Mexican immigrants.
Mexican families had been in the Dallas area since the 1870s. They came looking for jobs on railroads or farms. More families arrived between 1890 and 1910 as industries grew. The Martinez family, for example, came around 1911 to escape the Mexican Revolution. Jose Calvillo Martinez heard about work at the cement plants in Eagle Ford.
The Southwestern States Portland Cement Company became the Trinity Portland plant. It was also known as Cemento Grande. These plants made concrete for the growing cities of Dallas and the surrounding areas.
After World War II
Eagle Ford grew a lot in the 1940s. After World War II, many soldiers came home. This led to new housing being built. Many new residents were African-Americans looking for jobs.
At the time, rules about where people could live were very strict. Many African-American families found it easier to find homes in Eagle Ford. However, living conditions were often poor. Homes were small, and many streets were dirt roads without proper sewers. This led to health problems like typhoid outbreaks. Despite these challenges, many families valued the chance to own their own homes.
Modern Eagle Ford
Housing conditions improved after Dallas took over Eagle Ford in the mid-1950s. More homes were built, and industries grew. The area also got better roads and services. Many of the homes built back then are still used today. They have often been updated and expanded.
By 1990, Eagle Ford had about 7,924 people. This number grew to 8,103 by the year 2000. Today, Eagle Ford is mostly a Hispanic, working-class neighborhood.
Who Lives in Eagle Ford?
The United States Census Bureau divides Eagle Ford into two areas for counting people.
In 2000, there were 8,103 people living in the neighborhood. About 85.72% of the people were Hispanic or Latino. The neighborhood also included people who identified as White, African American, Native American, Asian, and people of two or more races.
The average income for a family in the neighborhood was about $29,776 per year.
Learning in Eagle Ford
Most of Eagle Ford is served by the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). A small part of the neighborhood is in the Irving Independent School District (IISD).
Dallas ISD Schools
Two DISD elementary schools are in Eagle Ford:
- Gabe P. Allen Charter School
- Eladio R. Martinez Learning Center
These schools teach students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade.
Older students (sixth to eighth grade) go to Thomas A. Edison Middle Learning Center. After middle school, students attend L.G. Pinkston High School [1].
Irving ISD Schools
In the Irving ISD part of Eagle Ford:
- Schulze Elementary School serves students along Mexicana Road.
- Townley Elementary School serves areas near the I-30/Loop 12 interchange.
Both Schulze and Townley schools teach kindergarten through fifth grade.
Middle school students (grades 6-8) go to Bowie Middle School. High school students (grades 9-12) attend Nimitz High School [2]. Irving ISD also has a program for four-year-olds who meet certain requirements.
The Old Eagle Ford School
The original Eagle Ford School was built in 1923. It used supplies from the Trinity cement company. After the school closed, Randy Dumse bought it in 1987 for his business. The city of Dallas later made it a historic landmark.
What's Under Eagle Ford?
The Eagle Ford community sits on top of a type of rock called the Eagle Ford Shale. This shale is made of dark, fossil-rich rocks that formed in the ocean long ago.
