How about a place where community bonds are as strong as the Texas sun? That place is Bonton in Dallas.
Bonton is a historically African-American neighborhood. It sits in South Dallas. The name “Bon Ton” might come from the French. It means high society or fashionable style. This term was popular in Black society in the early 20th century.
Advertisements used “High Classed, Bon Ton, Restricted Residences for Negroes”. This described new housing in South Dallas. Bonton once had a direct road to Deep Ellum. Deep Ellum was a Black arts and culture district.
Now, take a step back in time with me. The neighborhood’s development took place from 1919 through the 1940s. The early history of Bonton is mostly unrecorded. Locals share stories of a golden age. They remember camaraderie and mutual respect.
But, even in 1932, Bonton got a bad reputation for crime. The Dallas Morning News first mentioned it then. The story was about a gang leader shooting someone over liquor.
Life became harder for African Americans in the 1940s. Housing was subpar and segregation was rife. Many tried to move beyond their crowded neighborhoods. This led to violent backlashes throughout Dallas. White residents bombed homes of Black residents in white areas. The bombings stopped when the U.S. entered World War II but resumed in 1950.
Now, let’s discuss Turner Courts. This housing project opened in 1952. It was meant for low-income African American families. Rent depended on income. Turner Courts reinforced segregation. In 1968, it refused to change its segregation policies. Crime increased in Bonton due to Turner Courts.
Bonton became known for its high crime rates. By the 1980s, Turner Courts was an embarrassment. Dallas tried to reduce crime with patrols in 1984. But, the effort failed. Turner Courts was torn down in 2009. In 2012, Buckeye Trail Commons opened. It included a community garden and homes for sale.
Today, a revitalization movement is underway in Bonton. BridgeBuilders leads this effort. This Christian organization aims to restore the community. They focus on education and economic development.
Habitat for Humanity also plays a key role. In 2013, they pledged $100 million to rebuild homes. The Bonton Neighborhood Association helps residents take pride in their homes.
Bonton Farms is helping to provide fresh food to the neighborhood. Residents lacked personal transportation and the nearest grocery store was a 3-hour round-trip bus ride away. The cardio-vascular disease rate is 54% higher than that of the city of Dallas. Diabetes is 45% higher. Stroke 61% higher. Cancer 58% higher.
Bonton’s story is a reminder of challenges and resilience. It is a testament to the strength. It is a testament to the hope of a community. As we leave Bonton, remember its past and its ongoing journey toward a brighter future.