Five homes in the historic Travis College Hill Addition were open for tours in conjunction with the Garland Heritage Celebration Saturday, April 23. In 2015, the neighborhood became Garland’s first residential area to be designated as historic by the state of Texas.
The marker is situated in front of the Pace House, which is one of the homes open for tours at the event. The return of the home to residential use, along with the repairs and the consistent TLC it receives, has thrilled those interested in historic preservation.
It has been more than a year since the home, once in danger of demolition, has been moved to 11th Street and it has again become a residence. The home, built in 1895, originally stood at First and State streets, then spent more than 20 years as a city of Garland event center located at the former Heritage Park location. Since it arrived at 317 South 11th Street, owners Louis and Kay Moore have brought it back to its original splendor with renovations and repairs, both minor and major. The current tenant, an interior decorator, has furnished it using a number of beautiful antique pieces.
Travis College Hill was platted in 1913 and the other four homes on the tour were built between 1913 and 1918.
The Craftsman-style home at 301 South 11th Street, currently owned by Dale and Hillary Adams, was built by early Garland resident and grocer A.J. Beaver. The Adams have only a couple of rooms to finish before the restoration will be complete. If the rooms they have refurbished to date are any indication of how the remaining rooms will look, the entire renovation will be beautiful. Care has been taken to keep it simple which gives it an elegant look and feel. They removed the sheetrock that covered the walls when they purchased the house and found great wood plank walls which they have painted. The house also has a large, inviting front porch.
The “airplane-bungalow” Craftsman style home at 400 South 11th Street is owned by Greg and Becky Baxter. The home was occupied for many years by Curtis Crossman, Sr. and his wife Dixie Tucker Crossman. The Baxters have done a beautiful job renovating both the interior and exterior of the house. They have retained the feeling of a vintage home while modernizing where necessary. The front has a beautiful front porch and the Baxters have added an outdoor kitchen and living area worthy of a magazine feature in the backyard. The home’s interior is furnished with interesting collectibles and antiques.
The home at 401 South 11th Street was built with a wide front door so that caskets could be brought in for home viewings. Dr. Clarence S. Brown built the house in 1913. Leo Whitman and his family were longtime residents of the home. It was originally constructed with a second story which was removed in the late 1920s. It is currently a rental home of KLMK Properties.
The residence at 313 South 11th Street, currently owned by Louis and Kay Moore, was built by Sally Ganaway Beaver and occupied by her son and his wife, Jim and Edith McCallum Beaver. It later became the longtime home of Garland Mayor H. A. (Bud) Walker and his wife, Evelyn. The home was in extreme disrepair when it was purchased by the Moores who have done a remarkable restoration. The home has a warm feeling and is beautifully furnished with collectibles, antiques and numerous family photos which add to the homey and comfortable feel. A music room also adds to the feeling of warmth.
Click here to view a YouTube video about the 11th Street transformation and historic designation.
Historic information provided by Louis and Kay Moore.