approval from the FHA . The houses were designed by Fort Worth architect Charles E . Armstrong and the addition was laid out by Proctor and Barnes of Dallas . Known as “ Happiness Homes ,” the initial houses were two or three bedrooms and priced from $ 8,450 to $ 9,450 . Later models had three bedrooms and 1 ½ baths and sold for less than $ 12,000 . In 1953 , Arlington ’ s first “ modern ” shopping center was opened at the northwest corner of the addition at South Collins and Park Row . Because of the integration of the shopping center in the development ’ s plan , Arlington Terrace Addition was the first in the Southwest to receive an award of merit for neighborhood development from the National Association of Home Builders . 15
Many additions were platted in wooded areas that were part of the Eastern Cross Timbers , a stretch of blackjack and post oaks mixed with prairie running from Kansas to North Central Texas . The presence of trees was often cited in advertisements as an attraction to lure potential buyers of lots . The Davis Manor Addition ( 1955 ) was formerly part of a pecan orchard with 400 pecan trees . Individual lots had up to 20 bearing pecan trees . 16
In July 1953 , Arlington home builders held their first Homes Exposition . Fifteen model homes were opened for one week for public inspection . The builders advertised the homes as being of “ contemporary and conventional design , representing the ultimate in modern home construction in every family price range .” Most of the homes were located in east , southeast and south Arlington and varied from brick or frame construction , two-four bedrooms , and priced from $ 7,000 to $ 20,000 . An estimated 30,000 people , a crowd larger than the population of Arlington , attended the event and 41 homes were sold . Other expositions were also held in 1955 and 1959 . 17
It was also in 1953 that city leaders proclaimed that Arlington was no longer a bedroom community for its larger neighbors . At the annual meeting of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce , George Hawkins , editor of the Arlington Citizen boasted “‘ Arlington is no longer merely a satellite suburb …. It is an industrial factor in its own right .’” Edgar Bird , a local realtor , reported that 3,000 residences had been constructed in the last three years and that an additional 4,000 were being planned to accommodate the 100 families moving into Arlington each month . 18
The growth in population , industry and housing options were of benefit mainly for Arlington ’ s white community only . Although some in Arlington ’ s African American population were able to find employment at area plants , most of the jobs available to them were of a janitorial nature . But through these jobs some were able to move up in rank and improve their economic situation . Black employees of GM were able to improve their mobility with the purchase of automobiles through the company ’ s purchase plans . However , the housing situation for blacks in the postwarera remained very limited . With Arlington ’ s growth and development during the 1940s , small black settlements along the Texas and Pacific tracks gave way to industrial and commercial development . Restrictive covenants of the day prohibited the sale of most residential property to persons of African descent . A few new homes were constructed in the 1950s in The Hill , the city ’ s primary settlement for African Americans , but overall , there was an exodus of residents from the area . In 1947 and 1948 , the Arlington Journal ran real estate ads “ For Colored Only ”
15 Arlington Journal , December 28 , 1951 ; Fort Worth Star-Telegram , January 21 , 1953 , evening edition
and February 15 , 1953 , morning edition , AR 406-7-7-105 “ Arlington Terrace ,” STCF , SCD , UTA ; Arlington Journal , September 4 , 1953 and September 18 , 1953 . 16 Arlington Journal , June 30 , 1955 . 17 Fort Worth Star-Telegram , July 19 , 1953 ; Arlington Journal , July 31 , 1953 . 18 Fort Worth Star-Telegram , morning edition , June 10 , 1953 , AR 406-7-7-111 , “ Arlington 1953 ”, STCF ,
SCD , UTA .
FINAL REPORT
ARLINGTON HISTORIC RESOURCES SURVEY UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 2007
12