City of Irving
Irving, Dallas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Permanent settlement in this part of Dallas County began before the Civil War with the establishment of small farming communities and supply centers. In the early years of the 20th century, while working on the construction of the Rock Island Railroad extension from Fort Worth to Dallas, two members of the survey party--its chief, J. O. Schulze, and a surveyor, Otis Brown--purchased just over 80 acres of land from pioneer farmer H. W. Britain. Soon they had platted a townsite, which they named Irving. On December 19, 1903, Schulze and Brown held a barbecue and auction for the sale of town lots. The first issue of the Irving "Index" was distributed to those in attendance. Approximately 40 lots were sold, and construction of buildings soon began. The post office, which had been located at Kit, moved to Irving in 1904. Co-founder Otis Brown served as Irving's first mayor after the town was incorporated in 1914. Over the years Irving grew to be a modest suburb of Dallas. With the construction of the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, Texas Stadium, and the Las Colinas Business Park, Irving experienced major economic growth during the last quarter of the 20th century. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836 - 1986
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Farming communities dotted this part of Dallas County before the Civil War, but the town of Irving was born of the railroad. Around 1902, two members of a Rock Island survey party — chief J.O. Schulze and surveyor Otis Brown — bought 80 acres, platted a townsite, and sold lots at a barbecue auction in December 1903. Brown became the town's first mayor after its 1914 incorporation, and Irving later boomed with the arrival of the DFW Airport, Texas Stadium, and the Las Colinas business park.
Why it matters
Irving's founding shows how the railroad survey line, more than any river or road, dictated where new Texas towns would rise at the turn of the 20th century.
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Related people
- · J.O. Schulze
- · Otis Brown
- · H.W. Britain
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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