Lancaster Avenue Commercial Historic District

Along three blocks of North Lancaster Avenue in Oak Cliff, a cluster of brick storefronts marks the oldest business district in this part of Dallas. The district grew north from a streetcar stop at Jefferson Boulevard, near one of the first buildings erected in the suburb, a station house for the light railway. Its 12 contributing buildings date from 1920 to 1930 and mostly follow the one-part commercial block form, with stepped parapets, transom windows and wood-and-glass storefronts. Later buildings add more elaborate details: Art Deco chevron pilasters on East Jefferson, a ceramic tile awning and carved wood brackets on East 10th Street, and a blend of Tudor and Spanish Revival elements at 117-121 North Lancaster. Porcelain enamel and neon appliance signs also add to its character. The district was listed for its architecture, reflecting prevailing commercial tastes in Oak Cliff and Dallas in the early twentieth century. Many buildings are vacant, and nearby demolition is noted as a threat.