Allisa Eason and Christopher Hart had no idea when they bought their Munger Place Prairie-Style home just how hard it would be to leave it.
Anyone that’s been in Dallas for a minute knows Munger Place is a unique neighborhood. It’s not just that it’s been designated a City of Dallas Historic District and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s also not because it has the most extensive collection of Prairie-Style homes in North Texas. What makes Munger Place special are the people who live here.
“The people in this neighborhood are interested in being part of a community, and we think that is really important,” Allisa said. “We know everyone on our street. If you are going out of town, three different people will offer to feed your dog.”
But of course, it’s the house that captures a buyer first, before they ever get to know a neighborhood, and this 3,752-square-foot home is one of the grandest properties in Munger Place with four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a powder bath, and a beautifully finished-out basement.
Munger Place Historic Prairie-Style Home
It was built for the E. T. Harrison family in 1910 with a stately brick facade and a beautiful clay-tile roof. This home has an astonishing level of architectural detail, including a front-door surround that appears to have been influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright’s mentor Louis Sullivan and with Wright-inspired column capitals.
When this neighborhood was being developed in 1905, Robert S. Munger and his son, Collett, put the first deed restrictions in place. Every home had to be two stories high and could not face a side street. The minimum build price was $2,000, which was quite expensive in 1905. The infrastructure was the best on offer in any neighborhood, and Munger Place quickly became the place for prominent Dallasites to call home.
Although the neighborhood went through some tough times during the Great Depression and again in the 1960s, by the middle of 1970, urban pioneers saw the beauty and opportunity here. They transformed the neighborhood into one that would have made Mr. Munger and his son very proud.
“It’s hard to convey how nice it feels when you walk into this house,” Alissa said. “It is solid, warm, and welcoming. The proportions are excellent, and I fell in love with the woodwork.”
Thoughtful Updates to a Historic Beauty
The house was in terrific condition when Alissa and Chris walked inside that first day, but of course, every owner always adds another level of excellence to a home. Because cooking is a big part of their lives, they updated the kitchen in 2016.
“I wanted a stove with six burners and a griddle,” Allissa said.
She also installed a double oven with cafe doors, which makes reaching inside much more manageable. Clever storage was created with a place for everything, including an area fitted to hold baking items. All of the cabinetry pulls out, so there’s no flailing around trying to find something in the back of a cabinet.
“We also put a canine corner into the kitchen,” Chris said. “Who hasn’t kicked over a water bowl before? We took a slot out where a barstool would have gone in the peninsula and put in an area with a plug for the dog water-filler, food bowl, and even a ledge for the dog brush.”
One of the most intriguing features of this Munger Place Prairie-Style home is the 400-square-foot basement. “We use it for books, wine, and games,” Chris said. “I can also play music down there without disturbing anyone!”
David Griffin of David Griffin Realtors has just listed 4928 Junius St. for $1.095 million.
