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The Munger Place Historic District is a neighborhood and historic district in Old East Dallas, Texas (USA), generally lying between N Fitzhugh Avenue on the southwest, Gaston Avenue on the northwest, Henderson Avenue on the northeast, and Columbia Avenue on the southeast. Detailed boundaries are defined in the Munger Place Ordinance.
[edit] History
Munger Place was established in 1905 by cotton gin manufacturer Robert Munger on 300 acres (1.2 km²) as one of Dallas's first suburbs, and was originally intended to be one of the most exclusive communities in the city. To attract the "right" social element, Munger Place was carefully planned. Just minutes from downtown Dallas by carriage, Munger Place became the very first deed-restricted neighborhood in Texas. Homes had to be a full two stories, cost at least US$2,000 and no house could face a side street. The infrastructure featured such amenities as sidewalks, paved streets, shade trees, sewers, gas mains, and electric street lights. Many of the Dallas' leading businessmen and social elite soon called magnificent Munger Place home.
The Great Depression led many of the community's mansions to be converted into multi-family housing. The neighborhood lost its elitist cachet, and by the 1960s many of the nicer houses in the area had been torn down or condemned. Starting in the 1970s, however, Munger Place began to be rediscovered, as enterprising individuals recognized the historic architecture (particularly Prairie Style) and large spaces behind the neighborhood's dilapidated veneer.
In 1980, area residents persuaded the city of Dallas to create the title of Munger Place Historic District. It is now recognized by the United States National Register of Historic Places. Comprising over 250 households it is the largest collection of Prairie-Style homes in America. With most of the homes now completely renovated, Munger Place has once again become a desirable neighborhood for families of all types looking for charming, historic homes near downtown Dallas. Each year the neighborhood holds a home tour and art festival that attracts fans of historic architecture and independent artists.
[edit] Education
The neighborhood is served by the Dallas Independent School District. Residents in the neighborhood northeast of N Fitzhugh Avenue are zoned to exemplary rated and Texas Monthly Best School William Lipscomb Elementary School (grades PK-3), Eduardo Mata Elementary School (grades 4-6), J.L. Long Middle School, and Woodrow Wilson High School.[2] Residents in the neighborhood southwest of N Fitzhugh Avenue (along a short section of Tremont Street) are zoned to Ignacio Zaragoza Elementary School, Alex W. Spence Middle School and North Dallas High School.[2] Residents' children also attend various magnet schools in the district, as well as a variety of private schools in and around the area including Holy Trinity Catholic School, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School, Lakehill Preparatory School, St. John's Episcopal School and First Baptist Academy.
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