Michaux Park Historic District
Roughly bounded by S. Michaux St., Jolly St., Crokett Rd., Rogers St., and E Park Ave., Palestine, TXThe Michaux Park Historic District is an important local neighborhood containing Palestine's largest and best
preserved concentration of early- to mid-20th century domestic resources and reflects land division and architectural patterns representative of Palestine development prior to 1955. Primarily residential, the district contains four subdivisions and three additional areas not formally platted that include differing block sizes but similar lot dimensions and large, medium and small one-, two- and 2 '/2-story wood-clad and brick veneer dwellings of considerable architectural diversity and quality. Characterized by bungalow plans and revival style domestic and domestic auxiliary buildings, the district also contains one 19th century dwellings and a ca. 1910 Classical Revival influenced residence as well as Craftsman and Ranch style residences. Over time, a church, school, institutional and limited commercial uses were added. City-funded and private development of infrastructure such as paved streets and utility systems further supported district development. Unifying the district are lot sizes of similar dimensions, consistent setbacks and gardens featuring lawn, trees and shrubs. Subdivided by two individuals connected to the Micheaux family, who homesteaded the area, thedistrict developed over a period of about 50 years during which Palestine experienced sustained economic growth supported by agriculture, transportation, manufacturing and the petroleum industry. Historic resources reflect national architectural trends and the tastes and budgets of the property owners, architects and builders involved in construction.
The district retains high levels of integrity of location, setting, materials, design, workman-ship, feeling and association within the period of significance and is maintained in good condition. The district conveys not only the architectural heritage of the ca. 1895 to 1953 era, but represents the growth Palestine experienced resulting from sustained prosperity . For these reasons the Michaux Park Historic District is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A and C at the local level of significance. Of the district's 531 resources 306 retain their integrity; most Noncontributing resources are altered historic dwellings and auxiliary features such as garages and garage apartments and non-historic carports. Noncontributing historic dwellings are typically so rendered by incompatible additions and changes to windows and siding, many of which could be reversed. The district is worthy of preservation as a highly intact landmark neighborhood that through its residential function documents development patterns in southeast Palestine and interprets local social and architectural trends between ca. 1895 and 1953.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2004.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.