Giving Community Thanks

Thanksgiving is man's response to his Creator. In an unusual early expression of interfaith good will, a rabbi, a priest, and Protestant ministers started in 1907 at Bush Temple in Dallas a community worship service of thanksgiving which continued until 1918. The 100th anniversary of Dallas in 1941 was a service of thanksgiving and dedication in the Hall of State at Fair Park. In the war year of 1942, a Thanksgiving Day service was held at the Palace Theatre; this was repeated annually for 16 years. To celebrate thanksgiving at all times--not just annually--a foundation purchased land in 1968 for Thanks-Giving Square, here in downtown Dallas. People on this continent have given God thanks in their own way, beginning with the Indians centuries ago. The Spanish in 1541 recorded a Thanksgiving by Fray Juan Padilla of Coronado's Expedition in Palo Duro Canyon near present Amarillo. In 1842, President Sam Houston asked the Republic of Texas to give thanks for its place among the independent nations of the earth. After statehood, governors started in 1849 to issue annual proclamations fulfilling this universal tradition so long honored in Texas. (1971)

Giving Community Thanks is a historical marker in Dallas, Dallas County, dedicated in 1971. It is one of 352 historical markers documented in Dallas County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 574 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.7826, -96.7984 near Dallas. The nearest cataloged historic site is Republic National Bank (historic place), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Wilson Building, Busch-Kirby Building, and Busch Building.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5113006726. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.