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Known as “the most notable waterway in Dallas,” Turtle Creek wasn’t always associated with some of the most exclusively coveted real estate in the metroplex. Believe it or not, Turtle Creek was once a primary source of water for the early settlers before the city of Dallas was established in 1841.
In an article written for The Dallas Morning News in April 1956, Stuart McGregor describes some of the century-long water problems experienced by early settlers.
“Between the Devil and the dusty dry desert. That has been the trail Dallas has traveled in the matter of a water supply through more than a century.”
From 1837 to 1914, water was pulled and pumped out of settling basins without attempt made to purify the water mechanically or chemically. Residents would boil the water and deem it drinkable prior to later methods of purification.
"Dallas’ first waterworks grew from buckets to barrels as others settled near the home of Dallas’ first citizen’ (John Neely Bryan). And Dallas followed the pioneer pattern of ‘hauling water from the crick.' "
According to The Archives, the first settling basins were established in 1886 with the first water pump installed in 1909. It wasn’t until 1914 that The Turtle Creek Filtration Plant was established and remained a point of primary water delivery until 1930.
An article from The News’ archives reports on a chemist, David Morey, named as the superintendent of the filtration operation at The Turtle Creek Pumping and Filtration Plant. He oversaw construction and installation with supervision of Hydraulic Engineer, J.H Fuertes.
The two were able to create filter beds with the capacity to hold 20,000,000 gallons a day to provide purified water for Dallas residents for years to come.
Tales of who actually christened the spring-fed waterway “Turtle Creek" are conflicting, but the rationale behind the name itself isn’t lost on Dallasites. The channel has been notorious for its overabundance of the soft-shell reptile that has multiplied at impressive rates since 1837 when the creek received its name.
According to Dallas historian and writer, A.C. Greene, one source claimed that the name was applied in 1837 after a group of Texans from LaGrange fled after tensions mounted with Native Americans. The small group "crept across the Trinity at the mouth of Turtle Creek and noted the presence of amphibians.” Another source, James J. Beeman, one of the original Dallas pioneers, recalled in a memoir recovered “we nooned at what we called ‘Turtle Creek.’ We gave it the name for having seen and caught a large soft-shell turtle there, which the creek bears the name until this day.”
Even though the animals were the most obvious feature, Turtle Creek offered more than sunbathing reptiles. Early settlers relied on the creek as a primary source of water for drinking, bathing, and swimming upon settling in the area that would later be called “Dallas.”
Turtle Creek remained a prime swimming location for over a century until Dallas residence were banned from doing so. On May 7, 1970, The News published an article verifying the city health department collected two samples from differing areas of Turtle Creek finding them to be “heavily contaminated” with coliform bacteria. The Public Health Director deemed the water extremely hazardous if swallowed or exposed to skin. In response, City Council passed an ordinance banning swimming and other contact with the creek.
The city of Dallas continues to make improvements on and around the waterway. The city implemented an erosion control project as maintenance for the waterway and surrounding real estate that was completed last month. Attention has been turned to the banks of Turtle Creek as it has become a hub for homeless, addicts and those suffering from mental illness. The area is peppered with shelters and treatment facilities to counteract the issue.
It is still not advisable to utilize Turtle Creek as a viable water source, but remains a prime location for long walks and turtle gazing. Dallasites flock to the location to escape the urban jungle and re engage with the nature that existed long before Dallas was dubbed the Big D. This waterway served early Dallas residents and is an integral part of the city’s history.
To learn more about the origins of other Dallas landmarks and institutions, subscribe to The Dallas News Archives at archives.dallas.com.
