Cedar_Hill_Cultural_Field_Report

Cedar Hill Cultural Field Experience Report Driving through Cedar Hill, Texas, the natural beauty of the highest elevation in Dallas County, and also one of the most untouched places in the metroplex, is easily recognizable. The diverse cultural landscape of Cedar Hill is also easily recognizable, from the wealthy, new neighborhoods of Lake Ridge, to the poverty stricken areas around the downtown area. Cedar Hill is undergoing a big transformation in its cultural landscape through sequent occupance, as changes in the population composition and economics of the city occur. Cedar Hill is transitioning from a small quiet community, to a booming suburb. Cedar Hill has undergone many changes in its cultural landscape in the past decade, and this is evident by glancing at the population composition of the area. The African American and Hispanic population of Cedar Hill has surged in the past ten years, while the White population has greatly declined. The percentage of young children in the population has greatly risen, as families are moving to Cedar Hill for the favorable public education system. Cedar Hill was hit very hard by the economic depression a couple of years ago, and this is evident by the high unemployment rate in the area; however, with the new extremely wealthy neighborhoods of Lake Ridge, the tourism from Cedar Hill State Park, and new shopping centers like Uptown Village popping up, money is being pumped into the city, and things are beginning to look pretty good for Cedar Hill. Southern Baptist churches are very common in the Cedar Hill area, and with the Hispanic population rising so quickly, Catholic churches are springing up too. Restaurants like Babe’s Chicken reflect the African American population’s influence on Cedar Hill, which has nearly doubled since 2000.There is a great division with the population composition of Cedar Hill, with the African American and Hispanic population mainly being found in the poor areas around the downtown Cedar Hill area, while the shrinking White population is concentrated around the wealthy Lake Ridge area of Cedar Hill overlooking Joe Pool Lake. The Joe Pool Lake area of Cedar Hill is relatively untouched by human activity, and 60% of the land is undeveloped, which draws campers and wealthy individuals looking for an abundance of land. Humans in Cedar Hill live side by side with nature, and this is shown by the acreage of land devoted to parks within the city. The preserved downtown area of Cedar Hill reflects the lifestyle of the early American settlers who came to Cedar Hill in the mid 1800’s. The city is the oldest organized community in Dallas County; therefore the settlers had to be independent and try to function within the town limits. The downtown area’s cultural landscape conveys the classic idea of an American 1800’s small town, and the imprint of the settlers who came here can still be seen today with restaurants like Sam’s Pizza & Pasta and various small shops lining the main street. Although the downtown area is no longer the center of economic activity in Cedar Hill, it hasn’t changed much, and for that reason, it draws visitors to the area. Another factor that is visible in the cultural landscape of Cedar Hill is the difference in the city’s schools, and Lake Ridge Elementary School is a prime example. It is located within the wealthy Lake Ridge neighborhood, and flanked by multimillion dollar homes. Other schools such as Joe Wilson, are located away from the Joe Pool Lake area, and these schools are where the inhabitants of the poorer neighborhoods. Over the years, the cultural landscape of Cedar Hill has changed through sequent occupance. Beginning with the first American settlers in the mid 1800’s, new ethnic groups have left their imprint on the city’s cultural landscape. These changes in the cultural landscape of Cedar Hill are evident through the city’s religious buildings, restaurants, shopping areas, schools, parks, neighborhoods, and other factors. Cedar Hill is undergoing changes in its population composition and economics, and you can expect the cultural landscape to continue to change throughout the years as Cedar Hill transition from a small town, to a booming suburb