West End Historic District (Dallas)

The West End Historic District of Dallas, Texas, is a historic district that includes a 67.5-acre (27.3 ha) area in northwest downtown, generally north of Commerce, east of I-35E, west of Lamar and south of the Woodall Rodgers Freeway. It is south of Victory Park, west of the Arts, City Center, and Main Street districts, and north of the Government and Reunion districts. A portion of the district is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places as Westend Historic District. A smaller area is also a Dallas Landmark District. The far western part of the district belongs to the Dealey Plaza Historic District, a National Historic Landmark around structures and memorials associated with the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

West End Historic District
Tourists in the West End stroll down Market Street
Tourists in the West End stroll down Market Street
Location in Dallas
Location in Dallas
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountiesDallas
CityDallas
AreaDowntown
Elevation
423 ft (129 m)
ZIP code
75202
Area code(s)214, 469, 972
WebsiteWest End Historic District
Westend Historic District
Dallas Landmark Historic District
Westend Historic District is located in Texas
Westend Historic District
Westend Historic District
Westend Historic District is located in the United States
Westend Historic District
Westend Historic District
LocationBounded by Lamar, Griffin, Wood, Market, and Commerce Sts., Dallas, Texas
Coordinates32°46′44″N 96°48′21″W
Area67.5 acres (27.3 ha)
Built1891 (1891)
ArchitectMultiple
Architectural styleChicago, Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements, Romanesque
NRHP reference No.78002918[1]
DLMKHD No.H/2
Significant dates
Added to NRHPNovember 14, 1978
Designated DLMKHDOctober 6, 1975[2]

History

The area that would become the West End originally consisted simply of a trading post, established by John Neely Bryan. In July 1872, the Houston & Texas Central Railroad arrived in downtown, attracting manufacturing companies whose warehouses would come to define the architecture of the West End.

The district reached nationwide prominence in the 1960s, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in a Presidential motorcade traveling through Dealey Plaza. While the assassination brought the attention to the West End, the district's economy still struggled, with many businesses leaving the city center for suburban locations.

As development changed downtown Dallas and older buildings were demolished, local developer Preston Carter Jr. began the revitalization of the West End in June 1976 in an effort to preserve its history.[3] Old warehouses and other brick buildings were converted to restaurants and shops. In November 1978, the West End Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[4]

Today, over seven million people visit the West End annually, making it one of the city's leading tourist attractions. In recent years the area has suffered a decline. The West End Marketplace, a massive mall/entertainment complex, closed its doors on June 30, 2006. Due to the recent development of Victory Park, the main marketplace was redeveloped into an apartment and business complex.

Attractions
  • A giant dinosaur greets visitors to the West End Market Place (Picture circa 2002. No longer there)
    A giant dinosaur greets visitors to the West End Market Place (Picture circa 2002. No longer there)
  • Looking west along Pacific Street at West End Station
    Looking west along Pacific Street at West End Station

Transportation

Light rail

DART Blue Line, Red Line, Green Line, Orange Line

Education

The district is zoned to schools in the Dallas Independent School District.

Residents of the district south of Pacific are zoned to City Park Elementary School, Billy Earl Dade Middle School, and James Madison High School. Residents north of Pacific are zoned to Hope Medrano Elementary School, Thomas J. Rusk Middle School, and North Dallas High School.[5][6]

Private schools

See also

References
  1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. Staff (August 4, 2016). "West End Historic District" (PDF). Department of Urban Planning, City of Dallas. p. 3. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  3. Dallas Historical Society – Belo to demolish West End building. (Information on the district in article.) Retrieved 18 December 2006.
  4. "Details for Westend Historic District". atlas.thc.state.tx.us. November 14, 1978. Archived from the original on February 14, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  5. Dallas ISD – 2006 School Feeder Patterns – James Madison High School. (Maps: ES: City Park; MS: Dade; HS: Madison.) Retrieved 31 December 2006.
  6. Dallas ISD – 2006 School Feeder Patterns – North Dallas High School. (Maps: ES: Medrano; MS: Rusk; HS: North Dallas.) Retrieved 31 December 2006.
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