A is for Arboretum. The 66-acre plot of land is one of the most beautiful spots in Dallas. Guests will see sweeping flowerbeds filled with seasonal plants, waterfalls, and breathtaking views of White Rock Lake. There’s something for everyone with seasonal events, such as the Food & Wine Festival and the Cool Thursdays Concert Series.

B is for Bryan Adams High School. Bryan Adams High School opened in 1957 on the site of a former cotton field. The school was named after William Jennings Bryan Adams, a former Dallas ISD purchasing agent and business manager, who later shortened his name because it was too long to write. Approximately 30,000 students, including NBA player Kenyon Martin and NFL defensive tackle Doug English, have graduated since 1959, making Bryan Adams one of the largest high schools in America.

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C is for Country Club. Built in 1912, the Lakewood Country Club was the envy of golfers across the state. During the Depression, the club installed slot machines in the men’s locker room to stay afloat. Then in 1944, Byron Nelson won the Texas Victory Open, which later became the Byron Nelson Classic. It remains one of the most prestigious and longest-running events on the PGA Tour. The Lakewood Country Club remains a celebrated historic building that is home to various business meetings, luncheons and social events.

D is for Development. No neighborhood in Dallas remains untouched by development. With every old building that’s demolished and replaced with something new, it’s easy to think our unique neighborhood will be devoured by cookie-cutter developments. Although we lament when longtime independent businesses like Pietro’s are torn down in favor of new apartment buildings, development can have its perks. The Faulkner Tower has long been a brutal concrete eyesore but is getting a facelift thanks to commercial real estate developer, Larkspur Capital. Work on a new development on Haskell Avenue also gave us the short-lived, yet legendary, Leaning Tower of Dallas.

E is for Erykah Badu. The undisputed queen of soul lives near White Rock Lake. From her iconic sense of style to her bold entrepreneurial spirit — i.e. her vaginally scented perfume — there are so many reasons to love our Grammy Award-winning neighbor.

F is for Farmers Markets. We love local, and the best place to buy local products is at Good Local Markets. The nonprofit has two markets — the White Rock Farmers Market on Saturdays and the Lakewood Village Farmers Market on Sundays. Vendors come from within 150 miles of East Dallas and sell everything from seasonal produce to bread, jams, flowers, woodwork and jewelry.

G is for Garland-Gaston-Grand. Known collectively as 3G, the death-defying intersection is one of the most fought-about junctures in the neighborhood. A problematic yield sign for vehicles turning left onto Gaston Road causes confusion and accidents. It was clear the intersection needed a redesign. After years of fighting over various options, the Texas Department of Transportation chose the Reverse T, which adds stoplights in all directions. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2020.

H is for Historic Homes. East Dallas neighbors are proud to have a collection of homes in various shapes, sizes and styles that have been built over the past 100 years. The mixture of Craftsman bungalows, Tudor cottages, Prairie Foursquares and Spanish Revivals is protected through historic districts with strict preservation and renovation rules. Swiss Avenue was the city’s first historic district, followed by many others in our neighborhood, including Munger Place, Junius Heights and Peak’s Suburban Addition.

Iis for Iconic. The neighborhood’s most iconic feature is the Lakewood Theater. Opening in 1938, the Art-Deco building with a 100-foot neon tower operated as a movie theater for decades. Murals painted by legendary Woodrow Wilson High School artist Perry Nichols and statues by French sculptor José Martin earned it a spot on the list of Dallas landmarks. Through the years, the “soul of East Dallas” opened and closed several times, but at its core, it always remained a theater. In 2019, the curtain opened on a new act: Bowlski’s bowling lounge, a 10-lane bowling alley and entertainment center with golf simulators and gaming suites.

J is Jams. Perhaps Deep Ellum is the most well-known place in Dallas for live music. But the peak of many local musicians’ careers is playing at the Granada Theater on Lower Greenville. The theater was built in 1946 as a post-World War II movie theater. After years of neglect, it was restored and reopened in 2004 as a music hall. Headliners, such as Willie Nelson, Adele and ZZ Top, have performed on its stage, as well as up-and- comers like country artist Joshua Ray Walker.

K is for Kind. Acts of kindness abound in our neighborhood. Whether it’s starting a nonprofit to help homeless youth, fundraising for a new rest area on the Santa Fe Trail or making masks to donate to health care heroes, we in Lakewood and East Dallas take care of each other.

Lis for Lake. White Rock Lake is the crown jewel of East Dallas and one of the city’s most prized natural resources. Construction on the lake began in 1910 when Dallas was experiencing water shortages because of a severe drought. Over the years, it became an urban legend as home to the city’s most famous ghost. It’s also known for a 1977 riot between hippies and police that culminated in 49 arrests. Today, it remains a constant source of news coverage, from dredging to crowd control during the coronavirus.

Nis for Nature. Dallas isn’t all steel and concrete. City officials have spent millions in the past few years improving our trail system. There are many beautiful places to get outdoors and explore nature in our neighborhood.

  •  The Santa Fe Trail offers spectacular views of Dallas as
    it begins near White Rock Lake, continues past Woodrow Wilson High School and ends in Deep Ellum.
  •  The University Crossing Trail begins in Glencoe Park and traverses the suspension bridge over Mockingbird Lane until it connects with Skillman Street.
  • The White Rock Lake Trail encircles one of our city’s main attractions, White Rock Lake. Trekkers pass the historic Bath House Cultural Center, the picturesque spillway and the old Filter Building on the 9.3-mile path.

Mis for Moon Mansion. First built as a church in 1905, the stone structure on Haskell Avenue became a haven for artists and an illustrious party pad known for lavish get-togethers in the 1970s and ’80s. The 0.39-acre property is zoned for a multifamily use, but the 115-year-old building is in the process of being designated as a historic site to protect it from the wrecking ball.

Ois for Old East Dallas. Texans are a proud people, and East Dallas neighbors are no different. Perhaps our indomitable geographic pride stems from our time as a separate municipal government beginning in 1882. East Dallas independence was short-lived. It merged with Dallas in 1890, making it the largest city in Texas for the first and only time.

Pis for Podcasters. Pioneering podcasters in our neighborhood have your entertainment needs covered with shows ranging from politics to true crime and classic rock.

  •  “Pick Up the Needle” co-hosts Scott Henderson and Christopher Moock interpret hit songs and create outrageous storylines around them.
  •  “Sinisterhood” co-hosts Christie Wallace and Heather McKinney explore the serial killers, unsolved murders and conspiracy theories that keep them up at night.
  •  “Pod Bless Texas” is brought to you by election losers Lillian Salerno and Kendall Scudder. It focuses on all things Texas politics and gives listeners a humorous and irreverent behind-the-scenes look at the state’s key figures.

Qis for Quotable. Are Texans ever really at a loss for words, especially when it comes to praising our home? It’s hard not to share the many reasons we love Lakewood and East Dallas. There are plenty of neighbors working to make it even better. Look for these neighbors in the local news.

  • Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, who lives in Forest Hills.
  • District 9 Councilwoman Paula Blackmon, who lives on Patrick Drive in the Hillside neighborhood.
  • District 14 Councilman David Blewett, who lives on Vickery Boulevard near Tietze Park.

Sis for Sweets. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’re in the right place. From ice cream and cupcakes to artisanal doughnuts and pies, our neighborhood has no shortage of tasty treats.

  • Humble: Simply Good Pies has
    more than a dozen rotating options. Everything is made from scratch, with a lot of love — and plenty of cream.
    9014 Garland Road.
  • Hypnotic Donuts has standard doughnuts, plus all the ones you could never imagine. Stop by for a weird, crazy, fun and over-the-top doughnut experience. 9007 Garland Road.
  • Botolino owner Carlo Gattini fuses his Italian heritage with Texas influences to create “Italo Texano” gelato. 2116 Greenville Ave.

Ris  for Runners. If you love training, running and racing, East Dallas is the place for you. Each year, thousands of runners pass through our neighborhoods and loop around White Rock Lake while competing in the Dallas Marathon. Neighbors take full advantage of the fact that they can cheer for participants from the luxury of their front yards. Get a head start on training with the White Rock Running Co-op. The group runs several nights a week and meets for various breakfasts, happy hours and other social events.

Tis for Theater. Each year, neighborhood thespians push the boundaries and spark meaningful conversations with performances at some of our local theaters.

  • Pocket Sandwich Theatre isn’t your typical dinner theater. Guests are invited to cheer,
    boo and throw popcorn at actors performing comedies, melodramas and musicals. 5400 E. Mockingbird Lane.
  • Dallas Children’s Theater offers kid-friendly performances that promote integrity and cultural diversity. 5938 Skillman St.
  • The Bath House Cultural Center hosts matinee theater company, One Thirty Productions. The venue’s monthlong Festival of Independent Theatres also brings together diverse groups to produce original and rarely seen works. 521 E. Lawther Drive.

U is for Uncorked. We are a spirited people, and from time to time, we like to let loose with a little bubbly among friends. Uncork a bottle of wine at one of these neighborhood wine bars.

  • Veritas Wine Room features an ever- changing list of wines from around the world. 2323 N. Henderson Ave.
  • Times Ten Cellar has worked with Texas and California vineyards for 15 years to offer small-production wines. 6324 Prospect Ave.
  • Bodega Wine Bar makes all your wine dreams come true in a wine cellar space that feels like you’re sipping from the comfort of your living room.
  • 6434 E. Mockingbird Lane.

V is for Vinyl. Vinyl spins again in East Dallas at Good Records. The store is a destination for bearded hipsters and old-schoolers who yearn for the crackle of a needle on vinyl. It’s located on Garland Road, one of the coolest streets in Dallas with trendy, locally-owned eateries and boutiques.

X is for Xerophilous. Xerophilous might not be an adjective neighbors use to describe themselves, but they are, indeed, well adapted to the dry climate. It’s no secret that Texas gets a little warm in the summer. When sidewalks start to melt the skin off bare feet, neighbors know how to acclimate with a dip in the Tietze pool, a cold treat from Snowbaby or a walk through the Whole Foods produce section.

W is for Woodrow Wilson High School. Woodrow Wilson High School opened in 1928. For the past 90 years, it has educated some of the brightest minds in Dallas and the United States. Alumni include former Dallas Mayor Jack Evans, racecar driver Carroll Shelby, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright and “Blazing Saddles” actor Burton Gilliam. It is the only public high school in the country to produce two Heisman Trophy winners: Davey O’Brien and Tim Brown. The Texas Historic Landmark is built in the Elizabethan style and cost $700,000 to build.

Y is for Yoga. The past few months have been particularly stressful. Take a breath and unblock your chakras at one of the many yoga studios in our neighborhood. Not ready to meet in groups? Practice at home with an online class.

  • Lotus Yoga classes, ranging from restorative stretches to energetic flows, connect students with their bodies and increase strength. 6337 Prospect Ave.
  • Eastside Karmany Yoga, the pay-what-you-can studio, provides a no-contract environment for yogis of all levels. 1327 N. Peak St.
  • Super Yoga Palace is located upstairs inside the Dallas indie landmark, Good Records. The palace provides instruction on seasonal self-care for a life well lived. 9026 Garland Road.

Z is for ZZ Top. That “little ol’ band from Texas” wouldn’t be complete without Lakewood’s own Dusty Hill. The ZZ Top bassist and vocalist grew up in the neighborhood and attended Woodrow Wilson High School. Hill started the band Lady Wilde and the Warlocks, as well as The American Blues, before achieving international rock ’n’ roll stardom with ZZTop.