The Cedars “arts district” ( as I like to call it ) is an up-and-coming Bohemian artist quarter adjacent to downtown Dallas on the south side. It is re-emerging with the energy and determination of the Cedars it once was, a neighborhood based on the European concept of living close to one’s work. Its approximate borders are City Hall and Farmers Market on the north, the Trinity River on the west, Central Expressway on the east and just south of Corinth Street.
The history of this quarter dates back to 1850, when the first settlers began arriving. The Cedars got its name from the forest of cedar and oak trees lining its streets. Increased development began in the 1870’s with moderately-priced homes. The addition of a streetcar line and Old City Park ( circa 1879, Dallas’ oldest park ) added to the value of property. Thus, The Cedars really took off in 1880 as the neighborhood had become one of the premier destinations in Dallas, with stately, elegant Victorian manor homes belonging to wealthy Dallas businessmen and lawyers.
The Cedars was also home to Dallas’ Jewish community. The neighborhood included one of Dallas’ first synagogues, Shearith Israel. Stanley Marcus, founder of Neiman-Marcus, was born in The Cedars, as well as the Sanger brothers of Sanger-Harris.
This Cedars golden period lasted briefly from 1880 to 1890. After that, The Cedars entered a new phase of development. The wave of America’s industrialization spread to Dallas as industry and population swelled, ending the Cedars isolation from the unwanted poorer sections south of the neighborhood. Apartment homes, lower income housing, mills, and factories sprouted up. As newer, more prestigious areas of Dallas developed, The Cedars’ residents began moving north. Eventually by the 1920’s, homes were demolished to make room for businesses ( i.e. the Sears-Roebuck building ).
Today, only a handful of original homes remain, but the area has recently experienced the beginnings of a transformation.... Dart Rail has a Cedars station. The Cedars is also home to the Dallas Police Headquarters. The Sears building was converted into the South Side on Lamar lofts, and numerous other lofts, coffee houses, lounges and restaurants have begun appearing, such as The Buzz Lofts, Absinthe Lounge, Amuse Restaurant and Lounge, Brooklyn Jazz Cafe, Tryste, Lee Harvey’s, Poor David’s Pub, Gilley’s and Standard and Pours Coffee Shop. In the coming months, plans for more are on the way.
Presently, 750 loft dwellers reside in The Cedars, many of whom are visual and performing artists. This existence of numerous artisans and their galleries give this area the feel of a Bohemian artist quarter. This eclectic group, most of whom live as well as work in The Cedars, present the annual fall Cedars Open Studios Art Walk for the city to enjoy.
The renaissance of The Cedars has begun!
The Cedars... A Brief History