Ellis, James H. and Molly, House
Also known as: Phase IV--East Dallas DAL/DA 1302
Why it's listed
Built around 1905 on the Ellis family farm, this one-story frame house at 2426 Pine in South Dallas has a modified T-shaped plan, drop siding, wood-shingled gable ends and a steeply pitched hipped roof with gabled extensions. A wrap-around porch with Ionic columns and a small pediment over the entrance supplies its Classical Revival detailing, set against late-Victorian forms. The earliest known occupants were James H. Ellis, a real estate agent, and his wife Molly. Ellis took part in subdividing the surrounding farmland into suburban additions along the Ervay streetcar line. The house was listed for its architecture, as a local example of vernacular design with Classical Revival touches. It is described as the only known surviving residence in far South Dallas from the era of small farms and orchards, before suburban development. Sanborn maps show its footprint virtually unchanged since 1922. A small frame garage with fishscale shingles and decorative bargeboards stands nearby. A 2003-2004 proposal sought to relocate the house to Swiss Avenue.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house is an outstanding local example of vernacular architecture with Classical Revival detailing, blending late-Victorian and Classical Revival elements. It is described as the only example of its type in its part of South Dallas and a surviving vestige of the pre-suburban farming era. It also reflects the area's shift from truck farms and orchards to a commuter suburb.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 95000323, listed March 23, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2426 Pine, Dallas |
|---|---|
| County | Dallas County |
| Listed | March 23, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000323 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | c. 1905 |
| Architect / builder | unknown |
| Architectural style | OTHER: T-plan (vernacular with some Classical Revival detailing) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described in the original nomination as in relatively good repair and virtually unaltered since at least 1922, and still used as a single dwelling. Later documents (2003-2004) describe a proposal to move the house about four miles north to Swiss Avenue. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.75501, -96.76193 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 95000323.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14710533
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.