“Dallas has an old Air Force base right in town that the Air Force gave to the city and isn’t being used right now. The city is trying to sell it. That would also be a good choice.”
I live in the DFW metroplex and I’m not aware of an Air Force base right in downtown Dallas. But, not saying there isn’t one. However, Carswell AFB is on the outskirts of Fort Worth and was used for B-36’s and B-52’s, now used a little by the Air Guard I think. Lockheed is also located here in the metroplex. Btw, the B-36 was built by Convair here in the metroplex. So, there is a long history of aircraft manufacturing in this area.
PAR35 is correct, it was a Navy base.
Can't see 'history' as being a valid reason for Boeing locating there.
If 'history' is a major qualifier, Dayton is a shoo-in.
NAS Dallas was technically in Dallas, but surrounded by Grand Prairie. Google the area and look for the long runway sticking out into a power plant lake southwest of downtown.
Thinking about it more - I think Love Field started out as an Army Air Force training site in World War I.