*This conversation was originally released April 2025, prior to our adoption of the new Substack platform. We are re-releasing this episode via the new platform, which allows for additional context, pictures and links to articles about Eltee Dave, Alex’s grandfather discussed in the interview.
This conversation with Alex Dave explores the rich history of her hometown of Grand Prairie and growing up in the neighborhood of Dalworth. The conversation focuses on the speaker's family legacy, particularly her grandfather's influence as a prominent figure in the community. The discussion delves into the challenges of uncovering family history, the importance of empowering the next generation through dance, and reflections on self-image and community values. The speaker shares insights into the cultural heritage of the area, the impact of historical figures, and the ongoing quest to understand and preserve their family's legacy.
Alex’s grandfather, Eltee O. Dave, was featured in a 2011 story from D Magazine because of Dave’s influence in the Dallas food scene in the first half of the 20th century. Dave started Dave’s BBQ in the Elm Thicket, a freedman’s neighborhood in Dallas.
Though he ran several businesses and owned multiple properties in Dallas, Eltee was a resident of the Dalworth community, where he also owned several properties. The article states that Eltee owned at three ranches, which included a 204 acre farm in Carrollton and a 193 acre farm in Grand Prairie, which Alex refers to in our interview.
Eltee was the largest landowner in the Elm Thicket area, which is located right outside what is now Love Field. To expand into that area, the city of Dallas bought a portion of Eltee’s property in a forced sale, for which they paid him $125,000. He also owned several businesses, a motel and had expanded his BBQ restaurants. By 1955, Dave was given the moniker “The first black millionaire in Dallas.”
Despite his incredible financial success and influence, little is written about him in Grand Prairie papers, which Alex says in the interview was probably intentional on his part. He is listed as a member in good standing of the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce in 1966, and there are a few articles with summaries from planning and zoning meetings that mention Eltee, but aside from that, there’s not much.
Eltee’s death is still a shrouded in some mystery to us now, much like his life. He was murdered in his restaurant in 1976, despite being wealthy at the time and not having to work. The man was a suspected heroin addict who killed him and stole $30 out of the register, missing the $1,200 in Eltee’s pocket, leading to suspicion that the robbery was just a rouge to hide the true motive for the murder. The man was convicted of the murder and served time in prison. Alex alludes to questions of some shady dealings on behalf of her grandfather in the interview, wondering if Eltee’s intentional desire to remain out of the public eye could have had something to do with questionable business dealings throughout his life, which could have factored into his murder.
Despite being wealthy throughout the majority of his life and owning quite a bit of real estate at his death, no one can answer what happened to it all after he was murdered. Because her grandfather died when she was only a baby, Alex didn’t know Eltee or realize the net worth of her grandfather until she was older. She explains in the interview growing up on the farm in Dalworth (193 acres was and is a huge tract of property for anyone in Grand Prairie, regardless of their race) then moving to Racquet Club in the 1980s, becoming one of the first black families in the affluent neighborhood. The Dalworth community fell victim to the drug epidemic in the 80s (a topic discussed at length in our interview with Warren Landrum on the history of Dalworth) and her parents moved the family to the south side of Grand Prairie to be in a safer neighborhood. Alex has taken legal action to find out what happened to her grandfather’s extensive estate, but has been met with a suspicious amount of obstacles at every turn.
Eltee was married Betty, Alex’s grandmother, which she refers to lovingly in our interview. While she didn’t know her grandfather, she knew her grandmother quite well and has fond memories of her growing up.
Alex now runs Dave’s Legacy, a non-profit in Dalworth. Among other services, the organization gives assistance for young ladies who want to participate in dance but can’t afford the cost. I thoroughly enjoyed this interview and haven’t ever laughed that much in a recording. Alex was Avery’s dance teacher at The Epic a few years ago, and I thoroughly enjoyed her being a part of the class. She still teaches A+ Dance at the Epic and I definitely recommend it.
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