The Jackson Family. Photo courtesy of the Dallas Municipal Archives.
If you’ve ever wondered how Audelia Road got its name or been curious about the titles of Audelia Creek Elementary, the Audelia Road Branch Library and other such city landmarks, the Dallas Municipal Archives and the Friends of the Municipal Archives have crafted a program especially for you. AudeliaFest is a celebration of everything Audelia — from the long street running straight through the heart of Lake Highlands to the history to the woman who (sort of) lent her name to the whole shootin’ match.
The village of Audelia, Texas, began when John Jackson obtained a land grant in 1842 and moved his family to the Forest/Audelia area from Tennessee. His son, John, built a general store there and named it Ardelia after his daughter. The name morphed over time.
By 1915 Audelia had a population of 20, and by 1940 it included 35 residents, a store and a church. The village was incorporated into the city of Dallas in 1981.
City archivist John Slate says the event will run Saturday from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. at — where else? — the Audelia Road Branch Library, with Robin Moss Norcross lecturing at 11a.m. on the history of Audelia. Cemetery tours will be held at 12:30 p.m. at McCree Cemetery, where the graves of Ellen Ardelia Jackson West and many of her family members are buried.
The event is free and open to the public.
The Audelia Road Branch Library is at 10045 Audelia Road.
Gravesite of Ellen Ardelia Jackson West at McCree Cemetery. Photo by Carol Toler.
