During your visit to this Dallas, Texas attraction, take a step back in time as you explore over 25 historical structures moved to Dallas Heritage Village over the last 40 years. During your visit, you may encounter costumed interpreters like Mrs. de Léon in the Depot’s Section House, Otto Schmidt in his famous Alamo Saloon, or the Gano family on the Farmstead. Be sure to stop by Dallas Heritage Village’s Museum Store.
Historical Buildings at the Dallas Heritage Village
Worth Hotel
Originally built near the railroad tracks in Carrollton, Texas, Worth Hotel is typical of an early 1900s small town hotel. During its days of operation, the hotel served salesman and local boarders. The original structure featured a wing at the back which housed a large dining room and kitchen. When the hotel was full, guests often had to sleep two-to-a-bed.
Section House
The Section House was the typical dwelling for a railroad section crew throughout the 1800s. During the time, railroad companies divided tracks into sections between 10 and 30 miles long and assigned foreman and crew to tend each section. Section houses like the one at Dallas Heritage Village often included a four-room house for the foreman and his family, one or more two-room bunk houses for the crew and a well or cistern.
Shotgun House
Built in 1906 on Guillot Street in the historic State-Thomas neighbourhood north of downtown Dallas, Shotgun House was one room wide and at least two rooms deep. Owned by Dr. David Graham Hall, a local physician, Shotgun House was rented by a working-class African family throughout the early 1900s. Meet Shotgun House tenant Mrs. Freeman and discover her story.
The MKT Depot
The railroads established between 1872 and 1873 eventually led to Dallas becoming a major commercial center and created the population boom that made Dallas the largest city in Texas in 1890. The MKT Depot, built in Fate, Texas, is typical of the board and batten construction used by the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad throughout the 1800s.
Doctor’s Office
Dallas Heritage Village’s Doctor’s Office was first constructed on Jefferson Street in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas in 1890. It is an excellent example of the Queen Anne style of architecture popular throughout the U.S. between 1880 and 1910 with its bay window, decorative shingles and multi-color paint scheme. Inside, the house is furnished as the office of a general practitioner, complete with an apothecary shop.
The Main Street Saloon
Take to the streets of old downtown to visit the locally famous Alamo Saloon and experience the atmosphere of a turn-of-the-century watering hole. Run by Otto Schmidt, the son a German immigrant, the Alamo Saloon was a gathering place for Dallas working men and members of the local German community.
Blum Brothers General Store
Built on Wolf Street in Dallas, the Blum Brothers General Store was originally operated by Albert F. Mueller, a Jewish immigrant from Germany. The General Store is a one-room, frame building with a flat roof and squared off façade, typical of many store buildings in the region at the turn of the century. Today when you visit the Blum Brothers General Store, become a Shopkeeper’s Assistant or do some shopping of your own. You can even become a store clerk, weighing products, wrapping up merchandise, or sorting mail.
Citizen’s Bank
The Citizen’s Bank at Dallas Heritage Village came from Justin, Texas, a small community north of Fort Worth and provided necessary credit for farmers and security for local depositors. Because banks during the time often rented space to attorneys, doctors and dentists, the room at the rear of the building has been equipped as a turn-of-the-century dentist’s office.
Renner School
The 1888 Renner School served Renner, Texas (now part of North Dallas) as a school until 1919. The exterior of the building reflects Greek revival architecture typical of schools, meeting houses and Masonic Lodges constructed across the South during the 1800s. Within you will find a foyer and restored schoolrooms downstairs and upstairs.
1860s Farmstead
The Farmstead at Dallas Heritage Village is comprised of a dog-trot house, detached kitchen, cellar, blacksmith shop, feed shed, animal barn, outhouse, a small family cemetery, an herb garden, a vegetable garden and a crop field. The Farmstead has had several owners throughout its time, most notably Richard M. Gano and his wife Mattie Gano.
Miller Log House
Miller Log House, a square-notched log structure, was built in 1847 in South Oak Cliff by William Brown and his slaves from oak, cedar and local limestone for the chimney. Within, Miller Log House is furnished primarily with Texas-made items which reflect the self-sufficient lifestyle of pioneer families.
Shopping in the Museum Store
Be sure to stop by Dallas Heritage Village’s Museum Store. Items related to the Dallas Heritage Village and Texas are available to purchase.
- Snacks and drinks are available to purchase from Dallas Heritage Village’s Ticket Office.
- Be sure to ask for a brochure containing the architectural history of the Village’s structures at the Ticket Office.
- Dallas Heritage Village is ADA compliant.