Romine Avenue Historic District
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Why it's listed
Romine Avenue in South Dallas holds a row of seventeen one-story houses faced in brick and stone, with Tudor Revival touches such as intricate chimneys, steep multiple gables and arched windows. Built mostly around 1928 to 1940 by McElveen and Sowell, Inc., a firm whose president also headed a finance company, the houses were sold exclusively to African American buyers. They were larger and far more valuable than homes in nearby Black neighborhoods such as Wheatley Place; 1936-37 tax values averaged about $1,600 per house. Original owners included a high school principal, an attorney and a teacher. The street drew professional and business families, some displaced by central-city slum clearance, at a time when white property owners and city institutions were pushing to segregate South Dallas. Fourteen houses retain enough original character to contribute to the district, while three were altered by enclosed porches. The street is recognized for its Black heritage, its role in neighborhood development and its cohesive architecture.
Significance in brief: The district is argued to be significant under Criterion A for Ethnic Heritage (Black) and Community Planning and Development, and under Criterion C for Architecture, all at the local level. The houses were built for African Americans during segregation, were larger and costlier than those in nearby neighborhoods, and were occupied by prominent Black professionals. Their brick and stone exteriors, Tudor Revival details and limited alterations set them apart as an elite enclave.
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 95000333, listed March 23, 1995. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2300--2400 blocks of Romine Ave., N side, Dallas |
|---|---|
| County | Dallas County |
| Listed | March 23, 1995 |
| Reference number | 95000333 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1928-1945 |
| Architect / builder | McElveen, Daniel; McElveen & Sowell, Inc. |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals: Tudor Revival |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture, Black, Community Planning and Development |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Historic and current use is single-family dwellings; 14 of 17 houses are contributing, and three are noncontributing because of enclosed porches. |
| Acreage | 4 |
| Coordinates | 32.75904, -96.76521 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
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 95000333.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q109999675
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.