In a city as young as Dallas, it’s hard to find truly historic, centuries-old houses, like what you might find in towns along the East Coast. Many of Dallas’ oldest homes are only just now celebrating their 100th birthdays. However, in some regions of town, like State Thomas, a few of the houses are several decades older.
Now considered part of Uptown, State Thomas, which is just north of the Arts District, began its life as a Freedman’s Town in the 1860s. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the area’s White residents built many of the Victorian mansions and cottages that the neighborhood is now known for. Eventually those White homeowners left for Highland Park. But for decades, State Thomas was a thriving African American community.
The neighborhood began to fall into disrepair in the 1940s when the railway lines were pulled, and the later construction of Central Expressway decimated local businesses’ ability to connect with customers and many were forced out.
In 1986, the neighborhood was turned into a historic district to protect the historic homes and legacy of the area. Any businesses or houses built after that date, like 2309 Boll St., had to follow the new ordinance’s rules. “They tried to keep the same Victorian style look for this neighborhood,” listing agent David Wyrick says.
According to the rules, flat roofs and fluorescent exterior paint colors are forbidden. Covered porches are required, setback must be similar to the other houses on the block, and brick chimneys must match the block’s style as well. There are requirements on what fonts signs can have and how many trim colors you can have. Architectural styles and detailing must match the styles of the rest of the neighborhood—so Victorian, Queen Anne, and Italianate, amongst others. If a house is going to have a business on its ground floor, then it must have at least two trees parallel with the street.
Although its less than 30 years old, 2309 Boll St. looks like it could’ve been there since the days of Model Ts prowling the streets with horse-drawn carriages. “Even though this [house] was built in 1996, they built it to make it look like it was built in the [early] 1900s,” Wyrick says. Its exteriors are Queen Anne Victorian in style, with a tower, gable, ornate corbels and arch details on the covered porch, wood siding, and stained glass windows.
Inside, the house carries on the historic style. There are ceiling medallions and medallions worked into the crown and door moldings. There are leaded glass transom windows everywhere, which mimic the design of stained glass. “It just adds to the value,” Wyrick says. And the house has hardwood floors throughout.
The current owner did make some updates, though. Before, the interiors were all a boring beigey white. “So, he repainted the entire home in the colors that they liked,” Wyrick says. He changed fixtures and switches, updated the bathrooms, added new lights and baseboards, and replaced some windowpanes.
Now the house still has that historic-style charm, Wyrick says, but it feels a little modern, too. Scroll through the gallery to learn more.
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