Back in the Twenties, when Swiss Avenue was the place for Dallas’ elite to live, the fine two-story houses had manicured lawns and tall trees surrounding them. At one end of the district – at the intersection of Swiss and Fitzhugh avenues – two gates made of stone and tile heralded the entrance to the Swiss Avenue area. In 1966, the gates were removed because they obstructed traffic.
Since then, several neighborhood stalwarts, particularly those who lived in the area before the gates were destroyed, have been trying to raise funds to construct replicas of the gates. Each year for the past 11 years, a portion of the proceeds from the Swiss Avenue Tour of Homes has gone into a fund for the reconstruction. This year the $60,000 needed to build the gates probably will be obtained.
There should also be some money left over for various neighborhood beautification and philanthropic projects. New trees and public sidewalks for the district and books for libraries in local schools are a few of the purchases made with proceeds from tours in the past.
Six houses will be featured on this year’s tour, which will run May 6 through 8. Special events will include a parade of antique cars, live entertainment, a marching band and an antique sale.
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