Bubbling natural spring hidden in southern Dallas wins historic protection
Author:OMO Release Date: 2016年4月28日
Bill Pemberton (right) and his wife, Zada, sat for a portrait in January in front of Big Spring on what used to be their property. In 2004 the city of Dallas purchased the land from the Pemberton family. Edward Case Pemberton, Billy Ray’s grandfather, originally purchased the land in 1880. (Andy Jacobsohn/The Dallas Morning News)
A natural spring in southern Dallas has won a first-of-its-kind historic designation after a unanimous City Council vote Wednesday.
- Dallas' secluded 'Big Spring' wins another approval for historic protection
- Dallas 'secret' Big Spring gets attention, seeks preservation status
- Dallas Landmark Commission votes to protect Big Spring
“This is a watershed moment — pun intended,” council member Rickey Callahan said.
Big Spring, filled with fish and surrounded by hundreds of plant species, gushes more than 25 gallons of crystal clear water each minute. It’s one of the last known natural springs in Dallas. Others, such as Kidd Springs and Cedar Springs, were choked out and paved over long ago.
The council members prevented possible future development of the area and enthusiastically backed the landmark protections for Big Spring, which is located north of the Texas Horse Park. In the past, the city has always used the designation to save historic buildings, not natural wonders.
Callahan called Big Spring “an act of God that we need to stand back and respect.” Council member Sandy Greyson dubbed it a privilege for the council. Council member Philip Kingston said he was excited and lauded the grassroots movement to push for the designation.
Billy Ray and Zada Pemberton, who live near the spring, have tended to the bubbling water hole for years. And naturalist Ben Sandifer has led a team that studied the spring’s ecology and researched its history. Former City Council member and preservationist Veletta Lill also pushed the effort at Dallas City Hall.
The whole effort took years before it sailed through the Landmark Commission, Plan Commission and City Council this year.
“The vote was made easy because of the work that we’ve all done,” Sandifer said.
Richard Grayson takes a water sample from a natural spring in the Great Trinity Forest Wednesday July 10, 2013. ( Ron Baselice/ The Dallas Morning News)
But the work continues. The naturalist team knows vigilance will be needed to protect the spring. Sandifer said he hopes to make the spring more publicly accessible and develop an educational curriculum for visitors.
Lill said she hopes the process will provide the city a template for future protection of undeveloped land in Dallas.
“For me, it was about the history of Dallas,” Lill said. “Too often, we don’t know our history.”
About OMO Electronic Limited
Your Trusted Partner for Distributing OMO Electronic Limited!
Our Mission is to provide the best quality IC components with the best affordable price every time.
We are looking forward to cooperating with you!
