DeGolyer Estate
a.k.a. Everette DeGolyer House (Rancho Encinal)
8525 Garland Rd., Dallas, TXOf remote Huguenot ancestry and born in 1886 in a sod house in Greensboro, Kansas, DeGolyer developed an early interest in petroleum exploration. But his chief interest was in developing scientific rather than trial-and-error means of locating oil. Before graduating from the University of Oklahoma, he accompanied Dr. C. Willard Hayes, with whom he had worked on a U.S. Geological survey team on a trip to Mexico to help the English-owned Mexican Eagle Oil Company in a last-ditch effort to locate oil. Other top geologists had been unable to locate oil. After successfully making one find under DeGolyer's advice, a second well was drilled which resulted in the world's largest single oil well--Potrero de Llano #4--which produced 100 million barrels of oil. At this time the 24-year-old DeGolyer returned to Norman, Oklahoma, finished his work for his degree, and married Nell Goodrich, daughter of Dr. Hugh Gideon Goodrich of Norman in 1910. He and Lord Cowdray of the Old Mexican Eagle Oil Company soon formed the Amerada Corporation to concentrate on the search for oil in Texas and Louisiana. The founding of the Amerada Corporation was perhaps the most influential single event in the application of scientific techniques to the finding of oil. Under DeGolyer's direction, the seismograph refraction and torsion balance methods, the magnetometer and other devices were developed and refined to help oil prospectors locate the underground salt domes which are a geological feature of oil fields. He later created Geophysical Corporation (an outgrowth of which became Texas Instruments) and Texas Eastern Transunion and finally DeGolyer and MacNaughton, consulting engineers. The firm was recognized as tops in its field and its counsel was sought after by the United States and foreign governments, oil companies, banks, and investment firms. DeGolyer was recognized as the authority on the finding of oil and his judgment as the best. More than anyone else, he applied scientific methods to the discovery of oil and is regarded as the Father of American Geophysics.
Yet, scholarly and scientific pursuits invariably took precedence over the accumulation of wealth. According to his biographer Lon Tinkle, "DeGolyer was a restless, energetic inquiring man whose interests were far broader than geology, the art of prospecting for oil, or the entire world oil business. He was an omnivorous reader, especially on subjects that appealed to him. Two of these were the history of science and the early history of the Southwestern United States." His interest led him to assemble one of the finest libraries in the history of science in the Western Hemisphere. As a result of these disparate interests, author DeGolyer's list of published works ranges from articles in scientific journals to a life of Santa Anna for the Encyclopedia Britannica, a book--Across Aboriginal America, and many book reviews of books about the Southwest. He was also a member of the book world by virtue of his being Chairman of the Board of the Saturday Review of Literature magazine, and by ownership of the Peripatetic Press--his amateur publishing venture dealing with mostly regional works. This involvement in the world of books is beautifully stated in the Rancho Encinal library. His participation in the cultural affairs of Dallas, having served on the boards of the Dallas Theater, Inc., Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, Dallas Council on World Affairs, the Dallas Historical Association, and the Arboretum Foundation, is also drawn to his home people from many other fields. DeGolyer was also on the boards of several corporations and banks and served during World War II as Assistant Deputy Coordinator for National Defense. He held other government posts during his lifetime including membership in the Advisory Committee on Raw Materials for Atomic Energy Commission. As Mr. Tinkle says in the DeGolyer biography, "What baffles anyone who knew DeGolyer or who studies his career is where he found the time to turn his attention to all the multifarious things he did... It was not the habit of wealth (the early Tampico strike accustomed him to it) or any predatory instinct that drove him to ever-increasing activity; it was a seeking for excellence, defined as the mind--whether in practical or theoretical employment-- realizing itself". He even won first prize in a chili cooking contest at the 1948 State Fair of Texas.
In 1936 DeGolyer, his wife, and four children moved to Dallas to be nearer to his work. Finding no conventional residence which could adequately accommodate his ever-growing collection of books as well as their antique furniture and the objects d'art collected in world travels, the DeGolyers decided to build a house unlike any in Texas. They chose as their architects two young brothers from California, Denman Scott and Burton Schutt, whose forte was the design of large country or suburban homes with a very strong Southwestern influence. Along with David Williams of Dallas, O'Neil Ford of San Antonio, and John Staubb of Houston, Schutt and Scott's buildings reflected a need for a distinctly Southwestern style rather than apeing the work of Eastern architects. While the architects executed a number of other major commissions in Texas, the majority of their work was done in California, primarily in the Beverly Hills and Bel Air sections (including the Bel Air Hotel) of Los Angeles. Unfortunately, both brothers died while comparatively young, before achieving full recognition. The DeGolyers had lived in Tampico, Mexico, when first married and were nostalgically fond of the architecture of the Southwest; even in their hugh Jacobethan Revival home near New York City, they had an Indian Room and over the years had collected Spanish, Latin American and American Indian furniture and artifacts.
The DeGolyers chose as a site for their future and final home a 43-acre, heavily wooded dairy farm bordered by White Rock Lake on two sides, right in the city of Dallas. From the immense live oak trees, the property derived its name, Rancho Encinal--Spanish term for the ranch of the oaks--and around the live oaks and the lake views, the DeGolyers and their architects planned their Texas hacienda and its gardens. Its single story blends with rather than dominate the land and the simplicity of the exterior displays the typical inward quality of much Spanish and Latin American domestic architecture.
Everette and Nell DeGolyer traveled through California with Schutt and Scott, selecting details to be incorporated into their house. Construction of the house began in 1938 and the DeGolyers moved in it in 1940. It should also be noted that, in addition to its impressive size and striking appearance, the DeGolyer house also included several innovative design features, such as the use of a patio rather than an interior hallway to connect the bedrooms; it was also one of the first private residences in the city to have a central air-conditioning system or the use of fluorescent lighting.
The grounds were laid out by the brilliant Harvard-educated landscape architect Arthur Berger who worked closely with Mrs. DeGolyer and the architects. A great variety of gardens were formed and several of the garden ornaments (still extant) were purchased from the William Randolph Hearst estate.
The result was a very rare and harmonious blend of architecture and landscape architecture laid out on a large scale and virtually unaltered since. The subsequent years have added a genuine patina to the house and full maturity to the landscape.
In the years that followed, Rancho Encinal was enjoyed by its owners and also by countless guests. As writer John William Rogers wrote at the apex of the DeGolyers' life together there in 1951, "Probably as in no other home in Dallas and few in America there is a steady stream of great scientists, authors, financiers, publishers and figures of the great world. And yet, these contacts are so born of mutual interests that the visitors find themselves there naturally".
DeGolyer died in 1956 and his widow in 1972. The DeGolyers had long envisioned that the estate would become a study center, a modest version of the Huntington Foundation in California or Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C. But after the trustees of the DeGolyer Foundation turned over the extraordinary house, grounds and library and an endowment to Southern Methodist University, it was decided to remove the book collection to the main campus and offer the property for sale. After several years of facing an uncertain future, the estate was purchased by the Department of Parks and Recreation of the City of Dallas. The grounds are under consideration as the location of the nucleus of a city arboretum and various adaptive uses for the main house is being considered.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
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.
Established in 1846, Dallas County played a crucial role in the development of North Texas. The county's namesake, George Mifflin Dallas, was the Vice President of the United States at the time. The city of Dallas, the county seat, quickly emerged as a center for trade and commerce due to its strategic location along major transportation routes.
During the late 19th century, Dallas County experienced rapid economic growth driven by industries such as cotton, railroads, and cattle. The city of Dallas became a major hub for cotton trading, attracting business and establishing itself as a prominent financial center in the Southwest.
In the 20th century, Dallas County continued to evolve and diversify its economy. The discovery of oil in the nearby East Texas Oil Field in the early 1900s led to the development of the oil industry in the region, contributing to the county's prosperity. The county also played a significant role in the aerospace industry, hosting the headquarters of major aerospace companies and contributing to the growth of aviation technology.
Dallas County's cultural landscape reflects its vibrant and diverse population. The county is home to a wide range of cultural institutions, including museums, art galleries, theaters, and music venues. Dallas County also played a notable role in the civil rights movement, with important milestones in the fight for equality and integration.
Today, Dallas County stands as a major economic and cultural center. It boasts a robust economy supported by various industries, including finance, technology, healthcare, and telecommunications. The county is known for its thriving arts scene, professional sports teams, and diverse culinary offerings.
With its rich history, economic vitality, and cultural significance, Dallas County continues to shape North Texas as a dynamic and influential region.
Dallas County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Dallas County, Texas.
Pre-19th Century: The area was originally inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Caddo, Wichita, and Comanche.
1839: Dallas County was officially established and named after George Mifflin Dallas, the Vice President of the United States under President James K. Polk.
Mid-19th Century: Dallas County experienced significant growth with the establishment of Dallas as a trading post and the arrival of settlers drawn by the opportunities in trade and agriculture.
Late 1800s: The county prospered with the expansion of railroads, particularly the Texas and Pacific Railway and the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, which solidified Dallas as a major transportation hub.
Early 20th Century: Dallas County saw a surge in economic development and urbanization. Industries such as oil, cotton, banking, and manufacturing fueled the city's growth.
1960s: Dallas County gained national attention due to its role in the civil rights movement. The city of Dallas was the site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963.
Late 20th Century: Dallas County continued to experience rapid growth and diversification, becoming a major center for business, finance, and telecommunications. The county is known for its vibrant arts and cultural scene, including the Dallas Arts District.
Today, Dallas County is the second-most populous county in Texas and home to the city of Dallas, a thriving metropolitan area.