Lake Cliff Historic District

The Lake Cliff Historic District includes much of the land that previously served as an early 20th-century amusement park. The district is significant at a local level for its association with the development of the Oak Cliff community, and its excellent state of architectural preservation. It relates to the historic context of Suburban Development in Oak Cliff, Dallas, Texas, 1887-1944. The historic district is representative of the promotional schemes that early developers of Oak Cliff utilized to encourage greater settlement of the Dallas suburb. The period of significance extends from the construction of the park c.1888 to 1944, fifty years before the submission of the nomination. The district is eligible for inclusion in the National Register in the area of Community Planning and Development for its association with efforts to attract residents to the greater Oak Cliff community during its early years and in the area of Architecture as an excellent collection of early 20th-century single- and multi-family dwellings that typify Oak Cliff's growth in the 1920s and 1930s.

Most of the Lake Cliff Historic District lies within the original township of Oak Cliff, officially established on October 31, 1887. At that time, T.L. Marsalis and his partner John S. Armstrong began operating a steam-powered streetcar service from downtown Dallas to Oak Cliff. Once the line crossed the Trinity River, it branched into two sections. One part headed south toward an area that became Oak Cliff's commercial center. The other branch traveled along Colorado Boulevard, extending to Spring Lake (later known as Lake Cliff), a large man-made pond in northern Oak Cliff. The two lines were eventually reunited when a loop was completed in 1904.

The commercial center and Lake Cliff stops were important in Oak Cliff's early history. They figured prominently in Marsalis' promotional efforts to encourage greater interest in and development of the suburb. Marsalis stressed Oak Cliff's amenities such as its healthy environment and budding commercial center near Oak Cliff Park (now Marsalis Park) to the south. Lake Cliff also demonstrated his argument quite well.

A social club, known as the Llewellyn Club, excavated the lake and built a clubhouse c.1888. Intended as a recreational area and only three blocks away from the streetcar line, the surrounding property nevertheless remained undeveloped for two decades (McDonald; Dallas County Plat). The lake became a focal point of the development and has remained unchanged, and is considered a Contributing structure in the district. Dr. Robert Spann purchased all of the property in 1899 and converted the old clubhouse into a sanitarium which he operated for several years (McDonald 1978:227; Dreesen 1939:n.p.).

In 1906, Oak Cliff businessman Charles A. Mangold and John F. Zang acquired land around Lake Cliff, anticipating their purchase of the "Spann Park and Sanitarium" that year. By investing heavily in the park, they subsequently transformed the area into a playground having "all the marvels, countless curiosities, and spectacular features of the great amusement resorts of the country." Rather than create a "playground" for citizens of Dallas, the men wanted to encourage Oak Cliff's development and drive up the value of the land they had purchased previously.

Mangold also led efforts to construct a viaduct for the streetcar from Dallas across the river floodplain to Oak Cliff. This would provide additional access from Dallas to the dependent suburb, heightening its appeal and the value of its property.

The new amusement park at Lake Cliff proved immensely popular. Included among Lake Cliff Park's attractions were Shoot-The-Chutes (similar to today's log rides), Circle Swing, roller coaster, natatorium, skating rink which could accommodate 2000 patrons, and a 2500-seat Casino, in which "first-class attractions" such as Al Jolson and Eddie Cantor performed.

The Dallas-based architectural firm of Lang and Witchell designed the buildings and structures in the park, and they were erected by local contractor L.B. Westerman. The Spann Sanitarium (former Llewelyn clubhouse) was moved in 1909 to the 300 block of E. 6th Street, just beyond the boundaries of the Lake Cliff Historic District, where it served as Mangold's home (Dallas Public Library vertical files).

Mangold's efforts were successful to some extent, as increased activity in the area resulted in the construction of several residences in the Miller and Stemmons and Crystal Hill additions. Unlike other parts of Oak Cliff, however, this growth occurred in a rather piecemeal fashion.

Despite its popularity, the Lake Cliff Amusement Park proved too expensive to operate and the land was sold to the city in 1913 (Dreesen 1939:n.d.). In 1921 many of the rides and buildings in the southwestern section of the park were razed to make room for a swimming pool and bathhouse (which themselves were subsequently demolished). A 1910s brick pumphouse building is the only remaining feature of the aquatic facilities.

Upon the decline of the amusement park came the reinterpretation and development of the park as a naturalistic site. Park buildings figured in this interpretation, including a c.1920 brick public restroom, a 1934 WPA stone arcaded shelter, and a formal garden with stone pavilions. The park's new role apparently encouraged residential development around the park perimeter, beginning in the 1920s.

Bungalows and four squares with Tudor Revival, Prairie School, or craftsman detailing are found throughout the district. The house at 520 East 5th Street has Tudor Revival detailing such as a steeply pitched, gabled roof with cross gables, a massive chimney, and tall, narrow windows with multi-pane glazing. Prairie School details on the house at 414 East 5th Street, include the low-pitched hipped porch and main roof, widely overhanging eaves, and large square pillars. These features combine to emphasize the horizontal lines of the building.

Craftsman detailing is evident on the houses at 410-402 East 5th Street, including a low-pitched gabled or hipped roof, unenclosed overhanging eaves, exposed brackets, and rafters, and tapered square porch columns. Another excellent example of craftsman detailing can be found on the bungalow at 402 East 5th Street, including the low-pitched, front-gabled roof and partial front porch with square columns.

Most of the small apartment houses constructed in the 1920s and 1930s, such as the Tudor Revival style building at 816 Blaylock contribute to the feel of the district by exhibiting form and massing similar to the single-family houses. Noncontributing apartment complexes constructed after 1944 tend to be larger and less sensitive to the historic ambiance of the district. For example, the 3-story apartment building at 230 East 5th Street lacked any sensitivity to the style, massing, or setbacks of nearby houses.

The Cliff Towers Hotel is separated from the residential areas to the south by East Colorado Boulevard and the park. A generous lawn fronts the building, creating a park-like setting. Therefore, the building's setting is appropriate to its proximity to the park and its 13-story height does not adversely impact the smaller Contributing properties.

The hotel was first planned in 1926 as a 10-story apartment complex designed by Thompson and Swaine architects. (Dallas Times Herald, June 19, 1926, p.10) The project failed with the construction partially complete but was repurchased and revived by E.W. Morten and Charles Mangold in 1929, the latter had sold the property in 1924 to the first developers. Albert S. Hecht and Robert C. Williams of Dallas and Chicago redesigned the building. The original contractor, Bellows Maclay, apparently continued its work in 1929 and completed the building in 1932. Built at the intersection of two major thoroughfares, N. Zangs Boulevard and E. Colorado Boulevard, the hotel/apartment building in its Mediterranean style commanded the attention of travelers through the Oak Cliff area. Zangs Boulevard crosses the Trinity River, connecting Dallas with State Highway 80 (Davis Street), also known as the Dallas/Fort Worth Turnpike. The hotel's relaxed setting, and its proximity to downtown Dallas, must have made it very attractive to the visitors.

The development of the historic district's built environment and its naturalistic setting are the direct result of the marketing and suburban development of Oak Cliff in the Dallas area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. By the 1940s virtually all physical remains of the amusement park were gone. While Lake Cliff Park has evolved over the years (including the recent addition of a baseball park and tennis courts), its overall integrity has not been compromised. Other Contributing properties within the historic district retain a high degree of integrity. Noncontributing properties make up a very small portion of the total and do not detract substantially from the overall feel of the district.