HISTORY

Mistletoe Heights sits on the bluffs overlooking the Clear Fork of the Trinity River, approximately two miles southwest of the Fort Worth Central Business District. The area is bordered by Rosedale Street on the north, the railroad tracks on the east, Park Place on the south and Mistletoe Drive on the west.

The 640 acres in Mistletoe Heights are included in the 1854 Ethelbert S. Harris Survey. This land was considered rural when Harvie C. Lawrie of Colorado, owner of the land in 1890, laid out the streets by "setting a two and one-half inch oak wagon spoke stake at the corner tree thereof," according to plat records.

In November, 1892, Mistletoe Heights Land Company purchased the land, subsequently naming it Mistletoe Heights. Around this time the land was considered too expensive for farm land and too far out for development.

The existing streets at that time had names such as Feldhauser, Zang and Estabrook, but after completion of platting in 1910 by Mistletoe Heights Realty Company, they were renamed

to what they are today. Originally, lots could be purchased for $100, but by 1926, were selling for around $1,500.

Mistletoe Heights second phase of annexation by the City of Fort Worth was in 1922, and was opposed by residents over a school dispute. Mayor Cockrell accused the residents of non-support of the city, even though they were getting city services, and earning their incomes in Fort Worth.

The dispute was resolved and nearby Lily B. Clayton Elementary School was constructed in 1922. The school originally contained four classrooms, but was enlarged to its present size in 1934 by the Works Progress Administration, WPA.

Deed restrictions in Mistletoe Heights prohibited the selling of homes to minorities, a provision which is illegal today. It also specified that alcohol could not be sold from properties, and that homes must cost at least $5,000 and could not be of frame construction.

Twenty-one homes in Mistletoe Heights are listed as historically significant in the Tarrant County Historic Resources Survey.

NEIGHBORHOOD DESCRIPTION

The Mistletoe Heights neighborhood is elegantly built on wide tree lined streets with sidewalks and ornamental lights. Houses range from small cottages to mansions both one and two story in styles from prairie, modern, Norman, Tudor, mission to bungalow, many with basements and guest cottages built for servants' quarters in the rear.

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS

The Mistletoe Heights Association was founded in 1976, primarily to oppose the building of the Vickery Street overpass just to the north of the neighborhood. The neighbors realized the association filled a need in the neighborhood and continued meeting. More recently they have monitored the zoo expansion which the Association felt would increase traffic in the neighborhood and would take away some of the park land, and the Association has taken an active part in dialogue with the Tarantula steam train owners to monitor noise levels of the train.

ACTIVITIES

Fourth of July Parade, Halloween Parties, Christmas caroling and decorations, Newsletters, Monitoring City Council meetings, two annual meetings.

SCHOOLS

Elementary
Lily B. Clayton, 2000 Park Place, 922-6660

Middle
W. P. McLean, 3816 Stadium Dr., 922-6830

High School
R. W. Paschal, 3001 Forest Park, 922-6600

OTHER INFORMATION

Nearest fire station: 1301 W. Rosedale, 871-6800, emergencies 911
Nearest Medical Facilities: All Saints Hospital, 1400 8th Ave., 926-2544
Nearest Post Office:2600 8th Ave., Berry Street Station, 924-0673
City Council District Number: 9
School District Number: 4
Voting Precinct Number: 4076