On June 19, 1865, Union troops in Texas, based out of Galveston, began to enforce the end of slavery following the Civil War. Approximately 250,000 enslaved Black Texans had new legal status, which was further codified when the 13th Amendment was ratified later in the year.
This week, we hosted a discussion about the impact of emancipation for the newly free Texans who had been enslaved at Levi Jordan and Varner-Hogg plantations. In addition, many communities and organizations are hosting online and in-person events to celebrate.
 Marchers in Texas’ first Pride parade, Dallas, June 24, 1972, courtesy UNT Libraries Special Collections
In June 1972, Dallas was the site of the first gay Pride parade in Texas. The area where the parade was held, surrounding the intersection of Throckmorton Street and Cedar Springs Road, has been considered the center of the city’s LGBTQ+ community since the early 1970s and is known as The Crossroads.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, gay and lesbian people began moving to the area, drawn to its bohemian image and picturesque architecture. With the onslaught of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, The Crossroads became not only an entertainment district, but also a center for political activism, social services, and medical testing. An official Texas historical marker recognizing this history was dedicated in 2018.
Preserving history and heritage takes effort. Recognize someone in your community for their hard work!
The Texas Historical Commission offers annual awards to recognize worthy accomplishments and exemplary leadership in the preservation of Texas’ heritage. These awards cover achievements in the fields of archeology, historic architecture, museums, community heritage development, and more. The nomination deadline is July 15.
Since last fall, the Texas Historical Commission has been developing the 2022-2032 Texas Statewide Historic Preservation Plan, which will guide local, regional, and state efforts over the coming decade. Stakeholders like you from large and small communities and a variety of preservation fields have been involved via in-person and online workshops—thank you!
The draft plan will be available later this summer for public feedback. Register on the plan website to get updates about how to share your thoughts:
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