The 1960s were tumultuous at times in Dallas – Fort Worth, but were also marked a period of steady growth and significant progress. A dark cloud was cast over Dallas as the site of the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and the tragedy led to the city working hard to overcome its image as “The City of Hate.” Progress ensued and the promise of a strong economy, and with it good jobs and affordable housing helped to make the Metroplex a place that thrived. Here are 17 mesmerizing photos taken in the 1960s:
Elephants were part of the appeal of newly-opened Six Flags Over Texas in 1961.
The Vought Aircraft plant thrived in Dallas in the 1960s. In January 1960, the U.S. Air Force announced its intention to activate the first Convair B-58 Hustler wing. Its evaluation process was transferred to Carswell in Fort Worth in March of that year.
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White shirts and dark ties were the uniform "look," although some businessmen started to dare to be different.
This Fort Worth resident and acclaimed musician died in 2013 at age 78. He was credited with bringing world-class musicians to Fort Worth for the esteemed Van Cliburn Competition for more than 50 years.
Dallas resident Lee Harvey Oswald became a household name.
He proudly posed with his rifle in his backyard on Neely Street in this now-infamous March 1963 photo. His confidence in this photo, taken by his wife Marina, is quite foreboding considering his actions seven months later.
President John F. Kennedy's final day was spent first in Fort Worth and then Dallas on November 22, 1963.
Kennedy is shown here at the "Parking Lot Rally" in Fort Worth. He greeted supporters outside of Hotel Texas downtown just prior to heading indoors for a formal Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce Breakfast.
The Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe Railroad made a stop in Garland during summer 1965 to an excited crowd. The line was showing off 'Cyrus K. Holliday' Locomotive No. 1.
This photo shows highway markers for U.S. Route 67, U.S. Route 75, and U.S. Route 80, and the first southbound marker for U.S. Route 175. This road was formerly numbered Texas State Highway 1.
Fort Worth utilized streetcars for efficient commuter traffic and control.
The 1960s in Dallas – Fort Worth also saw considerable changes in civil rights, local growth and jobs by defense contractors, and the era of some outstanding professional sports teams.
Do you have any local family photographs or stories to share? If so, we’d love to see them in the comments below!
Be sure to check out these Dallas – Fort Worth photos from the 1970s while taking a trip down memory lane.
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