Deep Ellum – Dallas, Texas
Deep Ellum is a neighborhood of Dallas, Texas, composed largely of arts and entertainment venues near downtown in East Dallas. Its name is based on a corruption of that of the area’s principal thoroughfare, Elm Street. Older alternative uses include Deep Elm and Deep Elem.
The neighborhood lies directly east of the elevated I-45/US 75 (unsigned I-345) freeway and extends to Exposition Avenue, connected to downtown by, from north to south, Pacific, Elm, Main, Commerce, and Canton streets. The neighborhood is north of Exposition Park and south of Bryan Place.
As one of Dallas’ first commercial districts for African-Americans and European immigrants, Deep Ellum is one of the most historically and culturally significant neighborhoods in the city. Deep Ellum was established in 1873 as both a residential and commercial neighborhood. Originally called Deep Elm as much of the activity centered around Elm Street just east of downtown Dallas, the pronunciation “Deep Ellum” by early residents gave rise to the district’s current name.
The district boasts over 20 historically recognized buildings. In 1888, Robert S. Munger built his first cotton gin factory, the Continental Gin Company, in a series of brick warehouses along Elm Street and Trunk Avenue. The business grew to become the largest manufacturer of cotton-processing equipment in the United States. After several years serving as artist lofts, the Gin building has been converted to a mixed-use space for office, food and beverage, and retail use.
In 1914, Henry Ford selected Deep Ellum as the site for one of his earliest automobile plants. Designed by architect John Graham, the building was constructed as an assembly plant for Ford’s famous Model T. The plant remained at 2700 Canton Street until the mid-1930s. Adam Hats moved into the four-story brick and terra cotta structure in 1959. The landmark was converted to loft apartments in 1997, adding yet another layer of history to the building.
Today, Deep Ellum continues to have an exploding music scene, with a reborn Trees and Club Dada in addition to venues like the nearly 100-year-old Sons of Hermann Hall, Adair’s Saloon, The Bomb Factory, Ruins, Three Links, Reno’s, the intimate AllGood Cafe, the funky trailer-park meets live music scene at DoubleWide and a dynamic jazz and blues destination at The Free Man.
Since 1994, Deep Ellum has hosted The Deep Ellum Arts Festival, which began as a one-block street party. The free community festival now consists of over 100 musical artists performing on five stages, 200 juried visual artists displaying and selling their work, spontaneous street performances, and food and beverages served by over 30 restaurants. In 2019, the first Deep Ellum Open Studios event was held, enabling visitors and locals alike to gain an inside look at the spaces of Deep Ellum’s live/work artists, tattooists, recording studios, and more. The event reflected previous events such as art walks and included outdoor art markets, live muraling, and music.
Deep Ellum is also home to many art-based and creative businesses, including photographers, tattoo artists, gallery owners, recording studios,
and graphic designers.