Deep Ellum's History The history of Deep Ellum started back in the late 1800's. Deep Ellum was Dallas' "freedsman's town," where the newly freed slaves lived. Named after the way the jazz singers of the day pronounced the word "Elm", Deep Ellum was originally known for it's jazz and blues music, and more notorious for it's drug-dealing. The 20's through the 40's were the highlight of the original Deep Ellum. Blacks, Jews, and anyone who didn't "fit in" now had a place where they could feel like they belong. There were many industries located in the Deep Ellum area, from cotton gins to a Ford assembly plant. Businesses catering to the black community thrived in the area. Almost anything could be purchased. Popular cabaret bars would play swing music all through the night. Deep Ellum was a haven for blues and jazz artists - blues artist's such as "Blind Lemon" Jefferson and "Leadbelly" Ledbetter called Deep Ellum home. There was also a seediness to the area, with illegal gambling and a red-light district. In the 40's Deep Ellum began to decline. The depots and railroads were removed, taking away jobs. Area businesses moved to suburbs, the rise in cars' popularity decreased pedestrian traffic through Deep Ellum. The last streetcars were abandonded in the mid-fifties, and despite a committee's efforts, Deep Ellum fell further into decline. When Central Expressway was elevated in the late 60's, it involved the destruction of part of Elm Street, the central part of Deep Ellum. It would be the death knell for the original Deep Ellum. The 1970s saw little activity. Deep Ellum as we know it started out in the late 70's early 80's with a large punk contingent. In those days, Deep Ellum was no more than old warehouses left over from the 30's. The only other people there with any regularity were the Hispanics from the neighboring "Little Mexico." As fights between the Hispanics and the punks grew more frequent, the area took on a new nickname - "Dangerous Deep Ellum." The police patroled the area, and on occasion would instigate fights to have a reason to make arrests. Three clubs finally opened, appealing to the goth/punk crowd. The "Deep Ellum Plan", a development plan constructed to keep Deep Ellum a small artsy district, peaked people's interest in Deep Ellum. It appealed to club owners, restauranteurs and retailers. Deep Ellum rapidly became popular in the early 90's, and the stigma of "Dangerous" Deep Ellum subsided. Today, Deep Ellum is a thriving part of Dallas life with lofts, businesses of all sorts, and people striving to escape the rigors of "ordinary" life. Here is a view of the South Side of Elm St., and a view of the North Side of Elm St.

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