Old City Park: Part I

Tammy and I took the boys to Dallas Heritage Village a few weeks ago. I always love going there. It's a "living history" park in downtown Dallas that is a little village of buildings that were from the Dallas area in the 1800 and 1900's. The park has story tellers and people in costume interpreting what life was like in those days.




These lunch pails were lined up in the school house. I wonder how far you'd have to ride your horse to get to school?

Oh wait, they walked.

In the snow.

Up hill both ways.


Joseph loved the school house. He sat with his McGuffy Reader and learned a lesson or two. He couldn't remember what he learned though.

He's got my memory. Or rather lack thereof.





These pieces are from the 1900 Blum house, a traditional Jewish home. I am absolutely in love with the Victorian era style of decorating and this house was IT. It had floral everything and lace everywhere and very ornate details. It had floral wallpaper next to damask wallpaper next to wallpaper with floral damask scrolls. Even the ceilings were wallpapered.

This home was built in Plano in 1900.


"Technological innovations such as early electric light fixtures, linoleum and a cast iron cook stove in the kitchen, and a metal shingle roof indicate the new level of comfort available in homes in 1900."

Here is "Mrs. Blum" making a kosher meal for the fam. This house was one of the first with indoor plumbing and both electric and gas light fixtures. The light fixtures had electric bulbs on the bottom of the fixture and gas flame on the top because you never knew which would be working - guess "service" was spotty!

The bathroom looked a lot like the one I grew up with on Clayton...with the white hexagon floor tiles and heavy porcelain fixtures.





I could have looked around in the General Store all day. It really truly does take you back in time. I almost felt as if my horse was tied up outside waiting to take me back home after I splurged on a new bonnet and purchased my dry goods.

Oh and got Pa his new glasses since the baby broke his old ones.

And a hard candy or two for the kids for after dinner if they behave themselves.










As much as I loved the Queen Anne style house, the 1845 log cabin/dog-trot house stole my heart.

It was decorated so lovingly with handmade laces, bedding, and curtains even though the floor was and walls were made out of logs and dirt. I asked the guide about that and she said these settlers were wealthy and brought all of their "big city" possessions with them when they made their home on the frontier.

I would love to live in the late 1800's for just a little bit. Just to see what it was like! Maybe I was a pioneer farmer's wife in a previous life and it's calling me back!


I imagine waking with the sun to start my day. Instead of heading to the concrete jungle to ride an elevator to a cubicle, I head out to the garden or barn to work. Not that I've had to work in an office building for some time now, but I've always had day dreams about living off the land. I guess I'm crazy like that.






The sun was giving me some amazing light to photograph the fountain on Main Street.





I'll live in the days of yore as long as there is Dr. Pepper. I guess that rules out my pioneer dreams, eh? Vim, Vigor, Vitality! Yes, sir!

Up next, Old City Park: Part II!