City of Dallas Office of Historic Preservation and Dallas Landmark Commission
Operating as usual
You may have noticed in the last few days that our web page has gone "missing." The City of Dallas is in the process of revamping department websites, and ours has migrated here:
https://dallascityhall.com/departments/developmentservices/historicpreservation/Pages/default.aspx
You can continue to access our forms and ordinances from here.
We hope to have updates to the site in the coming weeks, so please check back!
Lindalyn Adams was an early champion of historic preservation who helped establish the Sixth Floor Museum in Dealey Plaza, among many other accomplishments that are detailed here. Her presence will be greatly missed, and our deepest condolences go out to her family and loved ones.
Celebrate the life of Lindalyn Adams, leave a kind word or memory and get funeral service information care of Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home.
You hear the word “Craftsman” a lot when talking about historic homes in Dallas. Craftsman was the most common style in the country during the first three decades of the 20th century, and it dominates many of our Landmarked historic districts because that is when our earliest neighborhoods were developed. Craftsman style is so common that it is frequently used as a catch-all term for any small modest wood-frame home, but it is a distinct style that will have a combination of features that will correctly identify it as a Craftsman home. So what does it mean to be a “Craftsman?” See our illustration below for many telltale features. Not every house will have every feature, but these are the most common ones. Look for a combination of several of these features to correctly identify the style. REFERENCE: “Field Guide to American Houses” by Virginia McAlester.
Another beautiful day in Old East Dallas! This is St. Joseph's Church and Academy at 2712 Swiss Avenue, designated as an official Dallas Landmark in 2010. The academy building on the right was built in 1905. The church was completed five years later, when it became the fifth Catholic church in the city. Both buildings are in Colonial Revival Style.
Did you know that you can find detailed information about each City of Dallas Landmark Historic District and individually Landmarked structure on our website? The page for each resource has information on the date of the designation, location, the preservation guidelines (i.e. ordinance), and the nomination report – which includes a detailed history and architectural description for the property or district. Click below to visit the page!
Join us tonight at 6:00 PM for an online meeting to discuss proposed fees for non-routine CA and CD applications.
The Office of Historic Preservation is hosting an online public meeting on Monday August 9th at 6:00 PM to discuss Certificate of Appropriateness and Demolition fees that have been proposed in the …
OHP is seeking applications for our Landmark Historic District Task Forces! Do you live in a Landmark district and want to be more involved? Here is your opportunity! See blog post for details. https://cityofdallaspreservation.wordpress.com/2021/08/05/city-of-dallas-seeking-volunteers-for-historic-district-task-forces-2021-2023/
Are you passionate about historic preservation? Would you like to be directly involved in the protection of Dallas’ historic resources? Volunteer opportunities are available on most of our Landmark…
Time for some wood window terminology 101! Most historic wood windows found in our historic homes have two sashes (movable panels), as this one does. Each sash can have multiple panes in each sash that are divided by muntins (long, thin pieces of wood). These smaller panes are called “lights.” The number of lights in each sash is used to classify the window type. So, for example, the window shown in the first photo is a 6-over-6 wood window. Sashes without muntins, such as the one shown in the second photo, are called 1-over-1 windows since they have no divided lights in either sash, just one big pane over another big pane. The third photo is a great example of a 9-over-1 wood window. Bonus: the wavy glass that is so common to historic wood windows is visible in photos 1 and 3. Wavy glass was hand-blown and was the only type available before the early 20th century when modern glass-making techniques emerged, and it is also an effect of age as gravity pulls down the glass. Sadly, historic wavy glass is becoming harder to find as people throw out their old wood windows, but some manufacturers specialize in it today.
(Reposted from our former page City of Dallas Sustainable Development and Construction)
If you grew up in Dallas, you probably recognize the neon Big Tex sign. We have good news! At their July meeting, Landmark Commission approved this sign as a permanent installation in the Midway at Fair Park.
A brief history: The 38’ tall neon Big Tex sign was originally built for Big D Value Mart and stood at North Central Expressway and Forest Lane for less than a year before the store closed in 1962. It was then sold to Centennial Fine Wine and Spirits and moved to that company’s location at North Central and Lovers Lane, where it stood for 31 years. In 1985, the sign was toppled during a severe storm and was repaired. Centennial declared bankruptcy in 1992 and neon Big Tex was relocated to their storefront at Stemmons Freeway and Walnut Hill that year. In 2013, AMC wanted to use the sign in a scene for “Halt and Catch Fire,” but noted that the neon tubing had become damaged over the years. The production company paid for a full restoration of the sign. It was then removed in 2015 and sold to the State Fair of Texas, who began displaying it seasonally during the fair.
The permanent installation will include seating at the base of the sign and is sure to become a popular meeting spot during events. We are thrilled that visitors will now be able to enjoy neon Big Tex year-round for decades to come!
What kind of roof styles do you see in Dallas historic districts? There are certainly more styles than are pictured here, but here are some very common ones. Which is your favorite?
We found some great photos of the Continental Gin buildings in our archives! Any guesses on the year? The Continental Gin Historic District (3301 Elm Street) consists of six well preserved buildings that were constructed in three phases between 1888 and 1914. The complex was originally a cotton factory, conveniently located on the Texas & Pacific rail line. Cotton was a main staple of the Dallas and East Texas economy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the Continental Gin factory grew to be one of the largest and most innovative in the country under the leadership of Robert S. and Stephen Munger. The buildings were designated as official Dallas Landmark structures in 1987.
Who could go for an ice-cold Dr. Pepper on this hot day? Did you know that the 400 block of S. 2nd Avenue was once the location of Dr. Pepper’s Dallas headquarters? The company was conveniently located between the Deep Ellum and Fair Park neighborhoods, which were interconnected until they were split up by the development of Interstate 30 in the late 1950s. The buildings at 425-429 S. 2nd Avenue served as their main offices and were constructed between 1929-1930. They exhibit Art Deco details similar to the architecture of Fair Park. The warehouse style buildings at 409-413 S. 2nd Avenue make up the remainder of the blockface and were pre-existing prior to Dr. Pepper’s move. These buildings served as the bottling and distribution center. The company remained here until 1948 when they relocated to new headquarters at 5523 E. Mockingbird Lane in North Dallas. The 2nd Avenue buildings are protected City of Dallas Landmarks. The company's Streamline Moderne-style Mockingbird headquarters was demolished in 1997.
What a difference!
The Knights of Pythias building, a designated Dallas Landmark structure, is a great example of how to remove non-historic paint from an historic brick and cast stone façade. The building was …
A Short History of Dallas’ Oak Lawn / Cedar Springs Neighborhood
The area we now know as Oak Lawn/ Cedar Springs got its start in 1846 when William Grigsby, a veteran of the Texas Revolution, sold 320 acres of land to businessman John Cole who established a stor…
Did you know you can watch Landmark Commission meetings online? Follow the link on the agenda below. Next public hearing is today at 1:00 PM.http://citysecretary2.dallascityhall.com/pdf/meetings/060721_LMC.pdf
Fair Park Community Park Interactive Input Session Registration Form – June 1
Join us at the Coliseum at Fair Park on Tuesday, June 1 at 6:30 p.m. for an interactive input session on the new Community Park. You and your family will have the opportunity to review preliminary design concepts and share your thoughts and ideas with our design team while enjoying being outside at....
Click below to keep up with the progress we are making on the historic resources survey and context assessment of Downtown Dallas and Deep Ellum!
On Tuesday, May 18th at 6pm, the Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) held a virtual public outreach meeting on the Historic Context Assessment and Historic Resources Survey of Downtown Dall…
Did you know that we have a Flickr site with over 6700 photos uploaded? We do! This is our most viewed photo at just under 4500 views. It is of the Baker Hotel, which stood at the corner of Akard and Commerce Streets and was demolished in 1980 to make way for One AT&T Plaza. The hotel was built in 1925 and hosted prominent members of Dallas society, debutante balls, society galas, movie stars, and even past presidents. It was also the home of WFAA radio. See more photos like this on our Flickr site! https://www.flickr.com/photos/cityofdallaspreservation/albums
Our office has received a complete application for the demolition of the main structure at 1520 McKell Street. The building is listed as a contributing structure in a Demolition Delay Overlay (DDO-2), which qualifies it for the 45-day demolition delay period. A meeting has been scheduled to discuss options with the property owners and other interested parties and is open to the public in accordance with the demolition delay process, Section 51A-4.504 of the Dallas City Code.
Please note that comments made on social media are not submitted in the public meeting.
Demolition Delay Phase II meeting for 1520 McKell StreetThursday, May 27, 2021 at 2:00 PMVideoconferencePlease click here to view the agenda. Our office has received a complete application for the …
Graffiti removal from the Bama Pie Company facade, an individually designated Landmark structure, was a success and is a great example of how to remove graffiti from historic masonry the right way!
Good news! Workers were able to successfully remove graffiti from the rear façade of the Bama Pie Company building, which is an individually designated Dallas Landmark structure. Removal of graffi…
Join DHS, tomorrow May 11th on Facebook for an intimate conversation with living relatives of both Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, better known as the ill-fated romantic partners-in-crime, Bonnie and Clyde. Rhea Leen Linder, niece of Bonnie Parker and Buddy Barrow, nephew of Clyde Barrow. They’ll join us for a virtual discussion and reveal little known family stories about the pair. Register online via profile or at www.DallasHistory.org
South Boulevard Park Row was initiated as a Dallas Landmark Historic District in 1977, the same year as the Swiss Avenue Historic District. Like Swiss, South Boulevard Park Row is characterized by a large number of intact homes of varying sizes and architectural styles. The neighborhood was developed by members of Dallas' Jewish community who attended Temple Emmanu-El which, at the time, was located at the corner of South Boulevard and Harwood Street.
When most people think of Swiss Avenue Historic District they think of the large mansions along Swiss Avenue, but the district actually consists of several other major streets – Bryan Parkway, Live Oak, and La Vista. There are over 200 homes of varying sizes and architectural styles in the district! Swiss Avenue was designated as a protected Dallas Landmark Historic District in 1977.
Our office has received a complete application for the demolition of the main structure at 712 Elsbeth Street. The building is listed as a contributing structure in a Demolition Delay Overlay (DDO-1) and is located in the Miller-Stemmons National Register District, which qualifies it for the 45-day demolition delay period. A meeting has been scheduled to discuss options with the property owners and other interested parties and is open to the public in accordance with the demolition delay process, Section 51A-4.504 of the Dallas City Code.
Please note that comments made on social media are not included in the public hearing.
Demolition Delay Phase II meeting for 712 Elsbeth StreetMonday, April 19, 2021 at 10:00 AMVideoconferencePlease click here to view the agenda. Our office has received a complete application for the…
Photos from City of Dallas Office of Historic Preservation's post
Happy 100th birthday to the Majestic Theater, an official Dallas Landmark.
The Majestic Theatre opened on this day in 1921 in Dallas and hosted a variety of stars over the years.
Figures such as Ginger Rogers, Mae West, Harry Houdini, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Jack Benny, and many more performed on the Majestic’s stage.
The Renaissance Revival-style building was designed by theater architect John Eberson. Eberson was nationally known for his “atmospheric theaters,” including the Majestic, which often featured ceiling “skies” of mechanically controlled floating clouds and twinkling stars.
The theater was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. It stands today as a reminder of the city’s architectural, social, and cultural heritage.
Find other theatrical jewels across the state with our map: https://texastimetravel.com/node/28668
📷: The Library of Congress
Springtime is ramping up, and it shows in the number of applications we are receiving! Do you live in a Dallas Landmark district and need to make exterior repairs to your home? We have all of the information you need for obtaining your Certificate of Appropriateness here.
If you live in or own property in a Dallas Landmark District (a local designation) there are preservation guidelines that control changes made to properties within the district. These guidelines we…
This Texas Independence Day, we bring you the fascinating story of Eleanor Heady Russell. Happy 185th birthday to our great state!
Today is Texas Independence Day! Texas declared independence from Mexico and adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836, establishing the Republic of Texas. Dallas was not yet a…
OHP Planner Marsha Prior was interviewed for this piece. To clarify the article, there ARE historic properties in State Thomas. Quite a few, actually. However, Freedman Town North Dallas covered a much larger area than the State Thomas Historic District, and very few historic buildings that represent the African American community remain.
Touted by real estate agents as an upscale neighborhood offering old-world charm, it’s difficult to imagine that the State Thomas Historic District, lying...
Dallas’ Fair Park sees flooding, ‘significant’ water damage after frozen pipe bursts
The extent of the damages weren't immediately clear Wednesday evening, but the Cotton Bowl, Tower Building, Hall of State and other facilities at Dallas’...
A short history of the Bluitt Sanitarium and Dr. Benjamin R. Bluitt, the first black surgeon in Texas and the owner of a practice that provided crucial medical care to Dallas' black community at this location from 1906 to 1914. We are proud to say that these buildings are protected as official Dallas Landmarks.
The Bluitt Sanitarium was the first hospital established for African American residents in Dallas. It was established in 1906 by Dr. Benjamin R. Bluitt (1864-1946), who was also the first African A…
The next meeting of the Dallas Landmark Commission is Monday Feb. 1st at 1:00 PM. You can listen online. Click the link for details:
Congratulations to OHP's own Marsha Prior!
Congratulations to City of Dallas’ Office of Historic Preservation Planner Marsha Prior! Ms. Prior won the Texas State Historical Association’s first annual Randolph B. “Mike” Campbell award…
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke in Dallas in 1963 and in 1966.
In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was invited to speak in Dallas by Reverend H. Rhett James, a local preacher and a civil rights activist who organized peaceful protests in downtown Dallas agains…
Booker T Washington High School was featured in a great post by the Texas Historic Commission today! The school is designated as a Dallas Landmark.
Booker T. Washington High School was built in 1922 as a replacement for the Dallas Colored High School.
The student body traces its origins to 1892, when the Dallas Board of Education created the segregated city’s first African American high school. The brick building was designed by local architecture firm Lang & Witchell.
During Booker T. Washington’s first 17 years of operation, the often-overcrowded school served every African American student in Dallas County.
In 1976, facing court-ordered desegregation, the Dallas Independent School District redesignated Booker T. Washington as a magnet school for artistically gifted students aspiring to future careers in the performing and visual arts.
Find other landmarks of Black history in our mobile tour: https://texastimetravel.oncell.com/en/african-americans-in-texas-57132.html
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