The history of Hamilton Park lies closely tied to the story of minorities and their struggle to enter
the main stream society of Dallas. A partnership between home builders and the Dallas Negro
Chamber of Commerce (now known as the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce) pushed
forward the idea of creating a new subdivision for black families to purchase.
In May of 1949, Karl S. J.
Hoblitzelle urged his charitable foundation to loan $216,000 to the Dallas Citizens’ Interracial
Association, allowing them to purchase 233 acres where Hamilton Park now sits. This funding
was added to several large loans from three Dallas banks to assemble the capital needed. The
funds were used to install water and sewer lines allowing the houses to qualify for FHA and VA
guaranteed loans.
In 1953, construction began and Hamilton Park opened in 1954 for homebuyers. By 1961, the
742 house subdivision was complete. Additionally, Hamilton Park included a park, school, and
shopping center. The school was originally operated as a segregated school; however the start of
a new effort to make the school a magnate school in 1975 changed the complexion of the student
body.
The subdivision was named for a black civic leader and physician, Dr. Richard T. Hamilton.
Hamilton Park gained a reputation throughout Dallas as a place where African-Americans were
able to buy a home free of discrimination in a very solid neighborhood. It has been almost sixty
years since it was first built and still holds the same reputation as a destination for black families
and homeownership.
The neighborhood residents are extremely active and have formed many clubs and groups, using
the community center as a rallying point. The neighborhood consists of housing built post WWII
and has been maintained externally. The interiors of homes require updating and reinvestment to
remain viable.
The area has been the scene of development speculation. Instead of having a positive effect on
the neighborhood, it created an atmosphere where people did not continue to invest their