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Wilson Block (Dallas, Texas)

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The Wilson Block is an historic neighborhood located in east Dallas, Texas. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 because of its Victorian/Queen Anne revival style architecture and historic value as one of the first residential developments in Dallas. The Wilson Block Historic District comprises 4 single family dwellings on Swiss Ave., 20 acres, and 6 buildings.[1] The Wilson Block encompasses a city block, 95,000 square feet (8,800 m2), bounded by Swiss Avenue, Floyd, Oak, and Liberty Streets.[2] It is owned and operated by the Meadows Foundation, a private philanthropic institution.[3] In 1898, Frederick P. Wilson (1863 - 1923) acquired the land from John Grigsby, originally from Illinois, and it remained in the Wilson family for close to 80 years.[4]

The houses that became the nucleus of the Wilson Block were constructed in 1899–1902; the first being 2922 Swiss Ave., a one and a half story residence built for Frederick P. Wilson and his wife Henrietta Frichot Wilson. The construction of an additional 6 rental houses followed, 3 of which still remain at 2902, 2906 and 2910 Swiss Ave. Each house is unique in layout and character but all share some of the common characteristics of the revival styles of the late 1800s, including irregularly shaped roofs that are steeply pitched and dominant front-facing gables. The homes are one-and-a-half story single family dwellings constructed of wood with milled details. The siding comprises textured shingles and clapboard. Some were built with front porches, while others wrap around to the sides. The back of some of the houses had rear screened porches on both levels. Upstairs porches were commonly used for sleeping while the porches downstairs provided an open space to conduct household chores. The Wilson Block houses all had cisterns on each porch.[3]

Early history

J.B. Wilson (1847–1920) and his younger brother Frederick P. Wilson (1863—1923) immigrated from Canada, and established themselves as successful cattlemen and entrepreneurs of the 19th century.[5][6]

References

  1. ^ "Wilson Block". National Park Service, Department of the Interior. December 15, 1978. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  2. ^ "Landmark Districts: Wilson Block Historic District". Historic Preservation. City of Dallas, Texas. April 29, 1981. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Who We Are: The Wilson Block Historic District". Preservation Dallas. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  4. ^ "Series Texas Historical Marker". 6922. Open Plaques. p. 579. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  5. ^ "Munger v. Munger". Court of Civil Appeals of Texas, Dallas - NO. 9903 - 298 S.W. 470 (Tex. Civ. App. 1927). Case Text Inc. May 8, 1927. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
  6. ^ "Who We Are: The Wilson House". Preservation Dallas. Retrieved May 27, 2015.
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