Discover Dallas! Historical Survey

Discover Dallas! is an architectural survey designed to help neighborhood residents identify historically significant properties right in their own backyards. Began in 2001, this grassroots preservation effort will:

• Create awareness of Dallas’ historical, architectural, and cultural value and stimulate the preservation ethic that embodies the mission of Preservation Dallas.
• Foster community pride within the neighborhoods and encourage grassroots activism.
• Generate and sustain economic development within the neighborhoods.
• Provide a publicly accessible, comprehensive database.
• Build an active, participatory base within Preservation Dallas.

The Discover Dallas! Survey involves a number of efforts. Volunteers conduct archival research to document the distinguishing characteristics that define a neighborhood. Within each neighborhood, certain properties are researched in depth, including historical and building data. All of the information is transferred to the survey database at Preservation Dallas. Other volunteers photograph the exterior facades of all properties in the survey. Survey participants also make presentations at neighborhood meetings, churches, and schools to gain community support and recruit volunteers. With these comprehensive activities, the Discover Dallas! survey will document more than 400,000 properties of historic significance in Dallas.

Learn more about the Discover Dallas! survey.