It’s hard to imagine Preston Hollow as anything other than what it is today — nice homes on large lots with easy access to high-traffic retail corners vibrant with shops and restaurants.

Until 1945, though, our neighborhood was the incorporated Town of Preston Hollow. Most of the historical remnants have disappeared, except for the white frame house on Preston and Northwest Highway that served as Town Hall, where important decisions were made about horse stable restrictions and other issues of the day (It how houses offices of Ebby Halliday Realtors).

The Advocate published an in-depth history of Preston Hollow back in 2002, chronicling its stint as an independent town miles from the center of Dallas, and shedding light on what attracted the original developers.

Our neighborhood’s history came into play as I was researching our upcoming March cover story, which examines the current boundaries of Preston Hollow, or lack thereof, depending on whom you ask. The map below shows us where it all started.

The shaded area represents the Town of Preston Hollow when it was annexed to the City of Dallas. The town’s DIY government had survived almost entirely on volunteers. Even the sole stoplight at Preston and Northwest Highway was donated, according to “Legacies: A History Journal for Dallas and North Central Texas.” Preston Hollow had to join Dallas if it were to enjoy any real city services.

Ironically, today Preston Hollow has some of the worst street conditions in a city that is about $900 million behind on repairs.

So, where did Preston Hollow expand from here? It’s a question without an easy answer. Look for the story in our March issue, delivering to doors and publish online next week.

See also: Historical photos of Preston Hollow Park.

Dallas Municipal Archives

Dallas Municipal Archives