BETA
Chapter 1
The birth of Deep Ellum
Chapter 2
The golden age of blues
Chapter 3
The punk and indie revival
Chapter 4
The canvas of the streets
YOUR GOAL
Master of Deep Ellum blues
Ch 1 · The birth of Deep Ellum
sloane Match historic blues tracks with vibrant graffiti to discover the creative soul of Deep Ellum.
sloane The Birth of Deep Ellum
They laid down the tracks and they named it Elm Street, But we made it Ellum where the blues and soul meet.
sloane The intersection of two major railway lines in 1872 transformed Deep Ellum into a bustling commercial gateway for travelers and traders.
sloane Deep Ellum began as an independent freedmen's town established by newly emancipated African Americans immediately following the Civil War.
Fun Fact
Name origin: The name 'Deep Ellum' comes from the local pronunciation of 'Deep Elm,' as Southern accents added an extra syllable to the street name.
Glossary
railroad (noun)
A permanent road laid with parallel steel rails, providing a track for trains to transport passengers and cargo. In 1873, the intersection of two major lines near Elm Street marked the district's historic beginning.
A permanent road laid with parallel steel rails, providing a track for trains to transport passengers and cargo. In 1873, the intersection of two major lines near Elm Street marked the district's historic beginning.
Quiz
Deep Ellum was originally established as a settlement for which group of people following the American Civil War?
Quiz
Which fraternal organization built the historic Grand Temple in Deep Ellum in 1916, designed by architect William Sidney Pittman?
Quiz
In what decade did Deep Ellum begin its transition from a quiet freedmen's town into a bustling commercial and entertainment district?
Quiz
What was the nickname of the busy railway intersection that helped define the early borders of Deep Ellum?
Quiz
In 1884, inventor Robert S. Munger established a major factory in Deep Ellum to manufacture what type of machinery?
Quiz
Who was the Black architect who designed the landmark Knights of Pythias Temple in Deep Ellum in 1916?
Quiz
What was the original name of the street that gave Deep Ellum its distinctive, drawled name?