South Center Street Historic District
Why it's listed
Two blocks south of Arlington's downtown, the South Center Street Historic District holds a row of early twentieth-century houses on the east side of the street. Most are one- or two-story wood-frame bungalows built between 1916 and about 1940, with garages, sheds, and retaining walls that echo the main houses. The neighborhood grew from the William H. Rose Addition, platted in 1916 by Rose, a developer and merchant who later served as mayor and oversaw the city's first charter and water plant. Bungalows here have cross-gabled, hipped, or front-gabled roofs, with Craftsman details such as knee braces, exposed rafter tails, and overhanging eaves, plus Classical Revival box columns. Many houses were altered over time as owners added rooms or replaced siding, yet they keep their form and massing. Of 22 resources, 20 contribute to the district's character. It was listed for its architecture and its link to Arlington's growth as a commuter community during the interurban railway era.
Significance in brief: The district preserves a cohesive group of early twentieth-century houses and ancillary buildings that reflect Arlington's residential growth as a bedroom community. Most dwellings are bungalows with Craftsman and Classical Revival influences, and the district retains a high degree of integrity. It is tied to William H. Rose, the developer and mayor who platted the addition. The form states local significance.
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 03000334, listed May 1, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 500-600 blks of S. Center St., Arlington |
|---|---|
| County | Tarrant County |
| Listed | May 1, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000334 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1916-1951 |
| Architectural style | Late 19th and Early 20th Century American Movements: Bungalow/Craftsman |
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Of 22 resources, 20 are contributing and 2 are noncontributing. The dwellings are still used as single-family homes, and an empty lot lies within the boundaries. A circa 1940 garage at 507 South Center Street is described as virtually a ruin. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 32.73166, -97.10683 (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 03000334.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q109999756
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.