Mesquite

Adjacent to the east city limit of Dallas, Mesquite is known as the Rodeo Capital of Texas. Established in 1872 as a stop on the T&P Railroad, Mesquite was named for the nearby Mesquite Creek. The historic downtown was the site of an 1878 train robbery by the notorious outlaw, Sam Bass. More than 1,115 acres of parks, a public golf course, four public swimming pools and recreation centers serve the recreational needs for residents and visitors.

The Mesquite Arts Center is a 38,000 square-foot facility that features a 5,000-seat concert hall, black box theater, courtyard, gallery and is home to 16 arts groups.