Credit: Dave Schaefer Photo
The 2025 Heritage Oak Cliff Fall Home Tour is set to kick off Oct. 25 and 26, and CandysDirt.com is proud to be the tour’s media sponsor. Whet your appetite for the impressive homes on this year’s tour with these profiles and learn about the history that makes each of these homes so significant:
Tucked behind an elegant iron gate in the heart of the Lake Cliff Historic District, 320 E. 5th Street stands as a testament to Dallas’ early 20th-century residential elegance and the enduring value of meticulous preservation. Built in 1925 by renowned Dallas photographer Frank Rogers, the home has had only three owners in nearly a century. Today, it is lovingly cared for by Jaye and David, whose sensitive restoration earned them a 2025 Preservation Dallas Achievement Award for Residential Renovation & Adaptive Reuse.
From the sidewalk, the home commands attention with its harmonious blend of red brick masonry, rustic stonework, and finely detailed Craftsman-style woodwork. The symmetrical façade is framed by broad overhanging eaves, exposed rafters, and decorative gable fretwork — hallmarks of Prairie School design infused with artisanal charm. A deep, wrap-around porch embraces views of the park and downtown skyline, shaded by the massive limbs of heritage live oaks.
Upstairs, the primary suite stretches the length of the second floor, complete with fireplace, abundant windows, and a private balcony that frames one of the best skyline views in Dallas.
The Lake Cliff Historic District includes much of the land that previously served as an early 20th-century amusement park. The district is significant at a local level for its association with the development of the Oak Cliff community, and its excellent state of architectural preservation. Most of the Lake Cliff Historic District lies within the original township of Oak Cliff, officially established on October 31, 1887. At that time, T.L. Marsalis and his partner John S. Armstrong began operating a steam-powered streetcar service from downtown Dallas to Oak Cliff.
Once the line crossed the Trinity River, it branched into two sections. One part headed south toward an area that became Oak Cliff’s commercial center. The other branch traveled along Colorado Boulevard, extending to Spring Lake (later known as Lake Cliff), a large man-made pond in northern Oak Cliff. Despite its popularity, the Lake Cliff Amusement Park proved too expensive to operate, and the land was sold to the city in 1913. By the 1940s, all remains of the existing amusement park were virtually gone.
Inside, the home’s original character remains intact. Rich hardwood floors flow through rooms adorned with painted canvas wall treatments, intricate trim, and period lighting. The living room—grand in scale—features a stone-surround fireplace with emerald tile, five crystal chandeliers, and French doors that invite light from every angle.
The dining room, wrapped in botanical wallpaper, glows beneath a tiered brass-and-glass chandelier, while the sunroom charms with green velvet accents, trellis-inspired ceiling details, and hand-painted avian panels.
The kitchen marries vintage spirit with modern functionality—period-inspired inset cabinetry, a butcher-block island, and crystal pendant lighting create a warm, timeless workspace.
This striking primary bathroom exudes elegance with its bold floral wallpaper, checkerboard marble floors, and gilded mirrors framing the dual vanities. A sparkling crystal chandelier and brass fixtures add a refined touch, creating a space full of drama and sophistication.
Additional features include a full basement and garage quarters, a reminder of the home’s historic practicality. Surrounding gardens, manicured with colorful blooms, soften the home’s strong architectural lines and connect it gracefully to its setting.
The Home Sponsor for 320 E. 5th Street is Eugene Gonzalez of ALTA Realty Group at Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate.
Tickets for the Heritage Oak Cliff Fall Home Tour on October 25 and 26 can be purchased at hoc2025tour.eventbrite.com.