Dakota was filmed in the spring of 1987 and some of the Texas filming locations included the McKinney Town Square, Collin County Grain Mill & Elevator, Westminster-Anna ( Aunt Zards), Allen Water Tower, The Circle T Ranch in Roanoke, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area near Fredericksburg. Most of the cast and crew were from Texas with the exception of Actress Herta Ware who plays Aunt Zard. Actors Eli Cummins, Lawrence Montaigne and Helena Humann (scenes deleted) had a list of credits to their names. At the time Lou Diamond Phillips had already filmed La Bamba and had completed filming The Los Lobos Music Video La Bamba for MTV. The Movie Premiere of Dakota took place November 1,1988 at The Northpark III in Dallas.