The State Thomas Historic District is one of our best examples of successful historic preservation. It shows what a dedicated group of neighbors can accomplish and serves as inspiration and recognition that, done right, these neighborhoods offer an entirely new level of value.
State Thomas History
Although State Thomas is 96 acres today, the historic district is only 23 acres and contains the largest collection of late-1880s Victorian structures in the city. These few streets are the last remnants of the affluent Thomas-Colby District.
It’s not to be confused with the North Dallas Freedman’s Town, which began at the northern end of State-Thomas near Hall Street.
In the early 1900s, these homeowners began moving north to Highland Park and east to Swiss Avenue. That allowed many of the African Americans in Freedman’s Town to rent and often purchase these larger homes.
From the 1920s to the 1960s, it was a vibrant mixed-use neighborhood. Then, as always seems to happen, highways changed everything. Central Expressway and Woodall Rogers split the neighborhood, and by 1975, things were pretty dire.
That’s when a few remaining neighbors took things into their own hands.
A 23-acre cluster of homeowners and a few white urban pioneers remained with a desire to stay and fight to preserve and improve a portion of the once-proud neighborhood. Their area would become the State-Thomas Historic District.
Mckinney Avenue Trolleys by Jim Cumbie, Judy Smith Hearst, and Phillip E. Cobb.
Judy Hearst was one of those pioneers who, along with Arthur Hughes, led the neighborhood in preservation efforts. In 1984, the neighborhood came under the city’s protection as a historic district, and it has now become the rarest of communities, historic and mixed-use.
“It’s a tight-knit community, and people don’t leave,” Hearst said. It’s a wonderful place to live with access to the McKinney Avenue trolley that runs down the original tracks.”
Hearst’s neighbor, John Armstrong of Armstrong Berger Landscape, has been in the State Thomas Historic District since the early 1980s. He’s been on the Landmark Commission and the State Thomas Task Force. He’s also restored two homes at 2611 and 2615 State Street that have both won preservation awards.
“My belief is that the historic district creates an integral value in real estate,” Armstrong said. “You sell to people who are partial to older homes and want to preserve history. The State Thomas Historic District is an oasis in the middle of urban sprawl. Everyone that lives here is so proud of it.”
The Perfect Live/Work Opportunity in State Thomas
Rarely does a home come up for sale here, so I was surprised to find this 1925 classic recently listed. This is someone’s lucky chance to be a part of this unique community.
The 2,271-square-foot home has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a powder bath. It presently serves as a law office and is used as a law office, but remember, with the special designations of the neighborhood, you can have a residence, a place of business, or both.
Don’t miss this chance to become part of the most unique neighborhood in Dallas.
Compass agent Brady Moore has 2707 Hibernia St. listed for $1.79 million.
