The area now known as Dallas was originally home to Indigenous tribes including the Caddo, Tawakoni, Wichita, Kickapoo, and Comanche. In the 18th century, Spanish colonists claimed the region as part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, while France also laid claim but never established significant settlements. Over time, six flags have flown over Dallas: France, Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederacy, and the United States.

Following the 1819 Adams–Onís Treaty, the Red River became the northern boundary of Spanish territory, placing Dallas firmly within Spanish control until Mexico gained independence in 1821. The region became part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. In 1836, settlers of Anglo-American descent helped establish the Republic of Texas, gaining independence from Mexico.

Dallas was first surveyed in 1839 by John Neely Bryan, who explored the area near three forks of the Trinity River with his dog and a Cherokee companion named Ned. In 1841, Bryan returned to establish a permanent settlement he named Dallas. The origin of the name is debated: it may honor Vice President George M. Dallas, his brother Commodore Alexander James Dallas, other Dallas family members, or even the Scottish village of Dallas, reflecting the heritage of early settlers.

From these early beginnings, Dallas grew steadily, eventually becoming a major hub of commerce, transportation, and culture in North Texas. Its rich history blends Indigenous heritage, European colonial influence, and early Texan pioneering, laying the foundation for the thriving metropolitan city we know today.