81R8507 BPG-D
By: Kent H.R. No. 608
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Hamilton Park occupies a unique place in Dallas
history as one of the city's oldest and most cohesive African
American neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, In the years after World War II, commercial
development, residential segregation, and mounting racial violence
combined to cause a severe housing shortage for African Americans
in Dallas; business and community leaders were deeply concerned,
and the Dallas Negro Chamber of Commerce and Dallas Citizens
Council formed the Dallas Citizens' Interracial Association to find
a solution to this problem; and
WHEREAS, The association purchased 233 acres of farmland in
North Dallas with a loan from the Hoblitzelle Foundation and
borrowed money from three banks to finance infrastructure for a new
subdivision; Hamilton Park was named after Dr. Richard T. Hamilton,
an African American civic leader and physician, and officially
opened in May 1954; within seven years, the well-appointed
neighborhood had almost 750 single-family homes, as well as an
apartment complex, a shopping center, a park, several churches, and
a school; and
WHEREAS, The area attracted doctors, teachers, businessmen,
and other middle-class professionals, many of them veterans, who
took great pride in their new community; they formed such groups as
the Civic League, the Parent-Teacher Association, and the
Inter-Organizational Council to care for and improve Hamilton Park;
focused on church and school, young families enjoyed the friendly
atmosphere and a strong neighborhood identity developed; and
WHEREAS, The surrounding area has continued to evolve through
the years with the growth of the Metroplex, and the subdivision now
holds a prime location next to the High Five freeway interchange;
commercial developers have made numerous overtures to homeowners
through the years, and as the real estate increases in value, both
individuals and such organizations as the Hamilton Park Historic
Preservation Foundation strive to balance economic considerations
and the desire to protect a rich heritage; and
WHEREAS, Although Hamilton Park may be on the verge of a new
and very different era, a sense of community thrives among its
residents, and those who have been privileged to experience this
spirit of neighborly cooperation will treasure it always; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby recognize the Hamilton Park neighborhood of
Dallas and extend to its past, present, and future residents best
wishes for continued happiness.