This year, the Trust for Preservation selected the theme: Making Preservation Work! as a way for small towns and large cities to take stock of the many ways preservation improves the livability of our historic neighborhoods, buildings and places.

Here in Dallas, Preservation Dallas will announce its annual 11 Most Endangered Historic Places on Tuesday, May 15. Established in 2004 as a way to bring awareness to some of the city’s most threatened historic resources, our list has directly resulted in several success stories including the recent purchase, local designation and now rehabilitation of the Thomas and Mary “Willie” Shiels in east Dallas.

Today, we celebrate another success story. Preservation Dallas just closed on the sale of the historic Parks House, a 1922 “Mission” style house that in 1957 became the East Dallas YMCA. The home was built by Joseph F. and Lucy L. Parks as the crown jewel of the neighborhood he later developed, Abrams–Brookside. Before selling the house, Preservation Dallas nominated it as a local landmark, protecting the house from demolition and insensitive exterior changes. Proceeds from the sale are expected to be used in a series of allocations that will assure a solid, long–term operational foundation and strengthen our organization’s capacity to save other endangered buildings in the future.

The sale of the Parks House is especially significant for the neighborhood.Karen Casey, president of Abrams–Brookside, explains, “The restoration of the Parks House as a residence has been a dream of the neighbors since the 1950s when it ceased to be a family home. At last that dream will be a reality.” he new owners intend to bring the house back to its 1920s appearance. Henry Holcomb, staff writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer and grandson of J.F. Parks, recollects his grandfather “designed the house as a gift to my grandmother and the good times that were had there. He talked about the way he put extra horizontal beams in the walls to slow the spread of any fire that might break out, and of his love for the many trees that he planted cared for on the lawn. He designed the downstairs as a formal place for church parties and big family gatherings, with outdoor porches for morning and afternoon sitting. The upstairs had four bedrooms, a study/library where grandmother prepared the Sunday school lessons she taught for many, many years, and a big comfortable family room. He lovingly designed the house to be useful to others and enjoyed by the family.”

For updates to resources listed in the 2006 List of Endangered Historic Places, click here.

Katherine D. Seale
Interim Executive Director