There’s a story buried in the heart of Dallas that most residents have never heard – and it’s about to change how you see this city.
This Saturday, August 23rd, you can experience a free guided tour that connects two worlds: a historic African American cemetery that holds 150 years of untold stories, and the modern West Village shopping district that sits just steps away. It’s history you can’t get from textbooks, in a neighborhood you thought you knew.
What You’ll Discover
Starting at 2:30 PM outside Sip Stir Coffee House (3800 McKinney Ave.), local historians Robert Kelleman and Michele Ballard will guide you through Freedman’s Cemetery – one of the largest African American burial grounds in the country, established in 1861 for Dallas’s early Black population.
This isn’t just any cemetery. From the Civil War through the 1970s, this North Dallas area was home to the largest segregated African American community in Dallas – and one of the largest in the entire country. These were the people who built businesses, raised families, and created a thriving cultural center that shaped the city we know today.
Then you’ll walk through West Village, the upscale shopping and dining district that rose where this historic community once flourished. It’s a striking contrast that tells the complete story of how Dallas evolved over 160 years.
The Hidden History
Here’s what most people don’t know: when Central Expressway was built through this area in the 1930s, it wiped out almost every physical trace of the cemetery above ground. For decades, this history was literally buried under concrete and progress.
It wasn’t until 1965 that descendants and the city agreed to create Freedman’s Memorial Park. Even then, it took until 1989 for community representatives to work with Dallas and the Texas Department of Transportation to properly preserve and commemorate this site.
The cemetery itself started small – just one acre purchased in 1869 by trustee Sam Eakins. By 1879, community leaders including Rev. A.R. Griggs, a former slave who became a prominent church leader and education advocate, had expanded it to four acres total.
Why This Tour Matters
This free walking tour connects dots that most Dallas residents never see. You’ll stand where a vibrant African American community built churches, businesses, and homes. You’ll learn about the people who created the social, cultural, and economic center of Black life in Dallas.
Then you’ll see how that same land transformed into West Village – 275,000 square feet of upscale retail designed by nationally known architect David M. Schwarz, home to over 100 shops, restaurants, and the Canopy Hotel by Hilton.
It’s not just about what was lost – it’s about understanding the full story of how Dallas became the city it is today.
What You Need to Know
When: Saturday, August 23rd, 2:30 – 4:00 PM
Where: Meet outside Sip Stir Coffee House, 3800 McKinney Ave. #180
Cost: Completely free
Who: Everyone is welcome
The tour covers walkable distances through areas you can easily access by DART Rail, the historic McKinney Avenue Trolley, or the Katy Trail. West Village is designed to be pedestrian-friendly, so you’ll be comfortable exploring both the memorial and the modern district.
The Real Experience
This isn’t a typical tourist activity. You’ll gain insight into Dallas history that changes how you see the city every time you drive through Uptown. You’ll understand the layers of community, progress, and preservation that exist in the same few blocks.
Whether you’re a longtime Dallas resident or new to the area, this tour reveals stories that textbooks skip and historical markers only hint at. It’s the kind of experience that makes you appreciate both how far we’ve come and what we’ve learned along the way.
Ready to see Dallas differently? Show up Saturday at 2:30 PM outside Sip Stir Coffee House. No reservations needed, just curiosity about the real stories that built this city.
For more information about the tour, contact the hosts or visit the Freedman’s Cemetery page at dallascityhall.com
