On the west edge of the town, between Walnut and Sycamore Streets, one block was reserved and named Mound Park.  Later three-fourths of the block joining it on the east was included int he park area.  It was the hope of the early citizens that Dallas Center might one day become the county seat and that the courthouse could be erected in this park area.  However, this did not happen.

          Quoting from the History of Dallas County by the Des Moines Union Historical Company, written in 1879, when Dallas Center was only 10 years old:  "This town is a neat and flourishing station on the Des Moines-Ft. Dodge railroad, full of life and business.  It is a prairie town situated in the midst of a broad, fertile tract of farming land.  The surrounding view over the broad, rich prairies in the summer season is of more than ordinary interest and attractiveness, and there are few towns of its size that can rival Dallas Center in business and enterprise, especially for a western town in a new country.

          It has been said more recently that "few communities represent more wealth per capita than Dallas Center - a community that takes pride in its progress!"

Some Dallas Center "Firsts":

          The first dwelling house was erected by B. F. Huber in 1868, on land then unplatted where the Church of the Brethren stands.

          The first regular and comfortable dwelling house after the town was platted, was built in 1869, by W. B. Fuller.

          The first building erected in Dallas Center was a frame shanty built by O. N. Steele, east of the railroad track on open prairie.  Mr. Steele brought a stock of groceries from Keokuk and sold them from a boxcar until the one-room building was ready for use in the summer of 1869.  This was the first store in town.

          The first depot was built in 1869.

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