|
Lindale Park is nestled among tall oaks and countless magnolias in
Houston’s near Northside. Sometime called the
“Hidden Jewel” of the inter-loop neighborhoods Lindale Park is just
east of the Heights. One of the finest of Houston’s older
neighborhoods, Lindale Park’s boundaries are 610 on the north, Moody on
the south, Robertson on the east, and Fulton on the west.
In 1937, developer W. Roy Reid envisioned a subdivision
that would offer its homeowners fine home-sites among the beautiful
timbers surrounding the existing Lindale Park Golf course. He believed
Lindale Park could be a prestigious yet affordable neighborhood for
homebuyers. Lindale Park was well planned and deed restricted. It had a
strong civic Association, as it still does today, which was dedicated
to preserving the quality of life in the neighborhood and surrounding
area.
Conceived as a varied community, the housing in Lindale
Park ranged from modest wood frame structures to much larger brick
homes. Houses as large as 3,400 square feet lined Irvington Boulevard.
One of Lindale Park's most noted features were its wide streets, which
were uncommon in that day. However all the homes in the original
construction phase retained that distinctive "Lindale Park
style" with their cropped eaves and pitched roofs. Almost every
home has a unique design. There was most certainly no
"cookie-cutter" approach here. Varying brick colors and
textures added to the custom feel of the neighborhood.
The homes built after WWII were
characteristic of the emerging "ranch style" home, but still
retained the large window expanses that characterized the earlier
homes. Some of these beautiful early ranch homes with their serene
proportions are faced in stone rather than brick, adding to their
uniqueness. Not only were all of these homes unique in their design,
but the Reid's attention to quality craftsmanship has ensured that even
after over 70 years, much of the brick work and many of the foundations
remain virtually crack-free. Many other neighborhoods of that time
period have not fared nearly as well.
Following World War II, Mr. Reid
sold his interest in the development. The golf course was subdivided
and new sections were added for the returning
servicemen. Likewise the park and pool were later
converted. With the construction of North Loop 610, beginning in
the late 1940’s, many of the larger homes
that lined Irvington Boulevard were moved into the neighborhood.
You can see some of these along Helmers Street. The home of
developer, Mr. Reid, still stands at the corner of Woodard and Helmers,
where it was relocated.
These homes and lots were especially desirable since
Lindale Park had already become known as a distinguished neighborhood.
At this point, the neighborhood was complete as we know it today. With
its interesting architecture, design, and large lot size the
neighborhood is everything W.R. Reid had hoped for and more.
|
