The La Réunion Symposium Offers Insight Into How a French Colony Began in Dallas

September 26, 2024 | Karen Eubank | | Historic Preservation

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Once upon a time, a group of French, Belgian, and Swiss men and women dreamed of a utopian society. They believed in socialism and the principles of Charles Fourier, who said, “Women are not like men and never will be; they are, however, equally great in their own way and should have equal rights.” They were followers of the eminent socialist leader Victor Considerant, who was forced to flee France after participating in an insurrection against Napoleon.

Considerant had his sights set on America, specifically West Dallas. He and his followers established the Colony of La Réunion there in 1855.

The problems began almost immediately. These colonists were thinkers, not workers. An article in the Texas States Times from June 2, 1855, reported that 1200 watchmakers “will compose part of the new Colony which Monsieur Considerant is about to establish in the neighborhood of Dallas. They will carry on the watch-making business on an extensive scale.”

Let’s remember it was 1855. There was not a huge need for Swiss watchmakers in Texas. Add to the fact that a colony of intellectuals was ill-equipped to farm and deal with a severe winter, a drought, and, indeed, a plague of grasshoppers. The deck was stacked against success, and the Colony lasted only two years. However, this brief part of Dallas’s history had long-lasting impacts, most unknown to residents of Dallas today.

The La Réunion marker has been moved to Stephens Park Golf Course. Photo courtesy o<a href="http://Riverhugger, CC BY-SA 4.0 f Wikimedia Commons.

The Executive Director of Alliance Française de Dallas, Emeline Colson, decided it was time to rectify our lack of education on the often-forgotten history of La Réunion. The Alliance is hosting the La Réunion Symposium on October 5. A lineup of historians, city officials, distinguished guests, and descendants of the original colonists will delve into the story of Dallas’s French roots and the utopian colony that, in such a short time, made a significant impact on our city.

The remains of the former home of Alphonse DeLord, a banker who stayed after the colony disbanded, is now long gone. The photo is from the 1950s and the home stood near Davis St. and Westmoreland

“Most of the colonists stayed and had a large contribution to Dallas’s economic and cultural development,” Colson said. “The first piano came from the French settlers and the first brewery, wagon shop, and butcher shop. One of the Swiss settlers became the mayor of Dallas.”

There is so much more. Think about how Swiss Avenue got its name. Reverchon Park is named for the first botanist of the city, a Frenchman!

This Symposium is critical because it connects modern Dallas with its past, bringing attention to a little-known chapter of the city’s development. Through the lens of history, we are reminded of the importance of immigration, diversity, and idealism —values that continue to define the city today.

Alliance Francais de Dallas

In conjunction with the Symposium, the The Road to Texas, chronicling the journey of European settlers to Texas, will be discussed. Translated by Paola Tettamanzi Buckley and published by Will Evans, CEO of Deep Vellum, the book’s importance and its context during the Symposium add an essential literary layer to the discussion.

Among the speakers for the Symposium will be descendants of the original settlers. The event will also feature talks from Southern Methodist University professors who will bring academic insights into the cultural and social impact of La Réunion. One of the keynote speakers, Jim Foster, former Dallas County judge and author of a book on La Réunion, will offer a detailed examination of the political and societal challenges faced by the settlers.

It was a dream that became a reality and then a disappointment. The Colony failed for various reasons, but the end of La Reunion was the beginning of Dallas.

Jim Foster

Foster’s work has been instrumental in keeping the story of La Réunion alive, and his presentation will provide a deep dive into the aspirations and eventual dissolution of the Colony.

There will also be remarks from city officials, including representatives from the City of Dallas Council Member Jaynie Schultz, the Consulate of France Consul General, Valérie Baraban, and the Consulate of Switzerland, Gabriel Barbier-Mueller, CEO of Harwood International. This is going to be a remarkable experience for the citizens of Dallas.