This is the most extraordinary historic Craftsman bungalow you will find in Dallas. It’s such an excellent example that it was one of the nominating houses which helped to secure historic district status for Winnetka Heights in 1981.
This historic Craftsman bungalow was built for J.P. Evans in 1911. Evans is what we refer to in Texas as a “big butter and egg man.” He was an attorney, and according to several sources, a secretary to the mayor and a vice president for the board of the First Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas. So, it’s not surprising Evans could afford what was the most popular style of home at the time. He and his wife Margaret raised seven children in this 2,163-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. I think it’s a safe bet that it was not this large in 1911 and most likely had only one bathroom. The Evanses added onto the back of the house as their brood grew, and lived here until 1952.
This historic Craftsman bungalow was constructed by a local builder, J.W. Palmer, and is the only home in the Winnetka Heights Historic District to have five different exterior elements. A rarely seen combination of river rock and clinker brick was used to create the front wall. The house is a combination of stucco, shingles, and wood siding.
It addition to being an instrumental asset in securing historic designation for the neighborhood, it was also the first home in Oak Cliff to receive the 5th annual Restoration House of the Year Award in 1979. Former Dallas Mayor Starke Taylor presented the award to George and Debbie Simons, who spent seven years on the restoration.
“I’ve always wanted to live in this house,” Kenna Rosen said. “I had seen it on the home tour several times and just loved it.” When Kenna found out the historic Craftsman bungalow was for sale three-and-a-half years ago, she and her husband Robert, pulled up stakes in Lakewood for Winnetka Heights. The Rosen’s loved almost everything about the house. Almost. “We redid the bathrooms. They were still stuck in the 1970s. We also renovated the kitchen and added a deck.”
“They did a lot of research,” Dave Perry-Miller listing agent Cynthia Paine-Drennan said. “They preserved as much as possible, given the way people want to live today.”
This is beautifully demonstrated by the materials they chose. While the brick tile floor, shiplap wall, and wood board and beam ceiling infuse the kitchen with character, it also has every modern element any serious cook needs.
The master bathroom renovation was also successful in creating a character that is sympathetic to the home’s origins but in keeping with a modern lifestyle. You can’t ever go wrong with a timeless subway tile and a reproduction period sink, but the use of wood on the ceiling is what creates a lovely sense of warmth. That is a design tip everyone should steal.
You won’t see a home like this on the market very often. The only reason the Rosen’s are leaving is they have been bitten by the renovation bug. Once you successfully remodel a historic home, you can’t wait for the next challenge. So, here is your opportunity to own a move-in ready piece of Dallas history.
Drennan has this historic Craftsman bungalow, at 300 S. Montclair Avenue, listed for only $585,000.
Karen Eubank is the owner of Eubank Staging and Design. She has been an award-winning professional home stager and writer for over 25 years. Karen teaches the popular Staging to Sell class and is the creator of the online course, The Beginners Guide to Buying Wholesale. Her love of all dogs, international travel, good chocolate, great champagne, and historic homes knows no bounds. Her father was a spy, so she keeps secrets very well!
