City of Carrollton Revenue and Competitors

Carrollton's early settlers arrived in the 1840s. These early settlers purchased land from The Peters Colony. These hardy pioneers were rugged individuals with incredible courage to risk it all for their dream of a better life and an even better life for future generations. These people had the determination to withstand the hardships of their treacherous journeys to this untamed frontier - a foreign and wild country. These several hundred industrious families shared a dream of prosperity. They planted crops, raised cattle and sheep, and built homes and churches. One story told is about an early settler who came to scout the area before bringing his family to this area. He was so impressed with what he saw that he scooped up a handful of dirt to take back to his family to show them how rich the soil was for farming. Another story with a different outcome is told about a family arriving from Europe. They were frightened by the sight of the longhorns and returned to Europe. Most settlers were farmers, but teachers, lawyers, preachers, and doctors also came to the area. Farming was the main form of occupation, but many professionals supplemented their income by farming and raising cattle. The settlers typically married young and had large families. An average cabin might have been only 12 x 14 feet and would hold two parents with seven children. The 1850 Federal Census for Dallas County and its neighboring counties reveals that most families had migrated from another state before settling in the area. Although these early pioneers seemed to be nomadic, they found their roots in North Texas. During this time of settlement, newcomers were camping and building cabins in an area around present-day Perry Park. The rise of the land to the south provided a good lookout advantage, and the springs provided plenty of clear, fresh water. After the initial hardships of the journey and the first few years of settling in, life took on a normal routine for these Carrollton settlers. A list of menu items from a 1903 reunion of one of the first families is as follows: Branch Water, Salted Pecans, Buffalo Broth, Steer Portage, Buffalo Ham, Bear Ribs, Jack Rabbit with Onions, Roast Mallard Duck, Prairie Hen Fricassee, Venison, Wild Turkey,Terrapin Roast with Wild Honey, Cucumber Pickles, Sweet Potatoes,Coffee, Tea, and Sweet Milk, Pumpkin Pie, Indian Pudding, Devonshire Cream, Dried Peaches, Persimmons, Red Haws, and Pig Plums.