Deep Ellum to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places

DALLAS. As Deep Ellum celebrates a historic anniversary, Dallas’ entertainment district may also soon add a prestigious historic name to its name.

On January 13, 2022, the State Board of Supervisors of the Texas Historical Commission approved the district’s application for listing of historic sites on the organization’s National Register of Historic Places. The Federal Ministry of the Interior will now make the final decision on the appointment.

Unlike most nominations considered by the council, Deep Ellum’s bid was not a one-building bid; rather, this application included only 268 buildings.

Deep Ellum owes much of its history to the opening of a rail line to Dallas on July 16, 1872, which is why this year marks its 150th anniversary, and why the Deep Ellum Foundation chose to submit a nomination with assistance from Preservation Dallas and the form was prepared by HHM & Associates, Inc.

In the filing, the organizations said that the vast majority of the buildings have retained sufficient integrity to contribute to the area’s historic character.

Of the 281 resources in the area, 95% are considered “historic” and were built by 1973, according to the filing, which also states that the majority of these resources in Deep Ellum were built between the 1920s and 1950s.

Learn more about the nomination, which includes a 156-page entry, here.

“The Texas Historical Commission board evaluated the nomination for the Deep Ellum Historic District on Friday,” Texas Historical Commission Communications Director Chris Florance said in a statement to the WFAA. THC) approves the nomination for submission to the National Register of Historic Places of the Federal Department of the Interior. Now it’s up to the federal government if they add it to their list.”

According to the Texas Historical Commission, anyone can nominate a historic property for inclusion on the registry.

The Texas Historical Commission told WFAA that the federal government offers various grants and tax credit programs to maintain properties listed on the National Register. Some building owners qualify for federal income tax credits if they undertake restoration projects that meet certain standards.

According to the Texas Historical Commission, properties that contribute to a historic district can potentially be granted building code waivers and are eligible for the same financial incentives and protections that are provided to individually registered properties. Signs are also likely to be installed throughout the area if the Home Office approves the application.

Other North Texas properties already on the register include Dealey Plaza, Highland Park Market Village, Porter Farm in Terrell, Samuel Wrayburn’s home in Fannin County, and Texas Centenary Display Buildings in Dallas.

To see the full list of the National Register of Historic Places, you can click here.