Sanger Brothers Complex
Also known as: El Centro College
Why it's listed
Block 32 in downtown Dallas, bounded by Elm, Lamar, Main and Austin Streets, holds four commercial buildings erected between 1884 and 1910 for or near the Sanger Brothers dry goods business. A five-story 1884 Italianate building with a cast iron storefront sits in the center of the block. Beside it, the Sanger Building shows Romanesque character in red brick and sandstone. The Security Mortgage and Trust Company Building, built about 1888, is described as the best commercial Richardsonian Romanesque building in Dallas, and Sanger Brothers later added two floors. The eastern half of the block is an eight-story 1910 department store designed by Lang and Witchell, with a steel frame and Sullivanesque ornament. Together the buildings illustrate a progression of Chicago School design. Sanger Brothers moved out in 1966, and El Centro College acquired the complex. At the time of listing, three of the buildings faced planned demolition, and local preservationists were campaigning to save them.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the block contains four of the most significant buildings in Dallas, showing High Victorian Italianate, Richardsonian Romanesque and Commercial-Sullivanesque styles. Together they represent a twenty-six year progression of the Chicago School of Design. The Security Mortgage and Trust Building is called the finest commercial Richardsonian Romanesque example in Dallas, and the 1910 store the best Commercial-Sullivanesque example.
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 75001967, listed April 8, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Block 32, bounded by Elm, Lamar, Main and Austin Sts., Dallas |
|---|---|
| County | Dallas County |
| Listed | April 8, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75001967 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1884, 1888, 1890, 1910 |
| Architect / builder | Lang & Witchell (1910 department store building) |
| Architectural style | High Victorian Italianate, Richardsonian Romanesque, and Commercial-Sullivanesque |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | El Centro College uses the 1910 building for classroom space; the other three buildings were scheduled for demolition to create an open courtyard, with a local preservation campaign opposing this. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Within district | Westend Historic District |
| Coordinates | 32.77984, -96.80455 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 75001967.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q18157738
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.