Treat Mom to The Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home Tour That’s One For The History Books

Roses are red, and tulips can’t miss, but this Mother’s Day, take Mom out to Swiss.

The Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home Tour, that is. 

Seriously, just go online and grab tickets, and consider Mother’s Day a wrap. There’s even something in it for the gift-giver, by way of an inside look at six simply stunning homes on May 13 and 14.

There’s a 1925 Jacobethan known as the “crown jewel of Swiss Avenue,” a Mediterranean villa originally owned by the president of Standard Oil Co., and a 1915 Craftsman spared from demolition by a group of residents who linked hands to preserve history.

The Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home Tour is one of the most anticipated events of the home tour season.

“This weekend-long tribute to Dallas’ historic past will feature a collection of the city’s most fabulous early 20th-century homes,” said organizer Alex Gandara-Morgan. 

Guests will be treated to an open-air art fair, a vintage auto display, a children’s play area, live entertainment in Savage Park, free horse-drawn carriage rides, complimentary air-conditioned mini-coaches, and food trucks offering a variety of freshly-prepared menu items and ice-cold beverages. 

Homes On Tour

Stay tuned as CandysDirt.com takes a closer look at one of the homes we think is particularly special on this tour. 

Until then, here’s a sneak peek at the homes that are opening their doors to the public next month.

6243 LaVista Drive

Owned by Wayne Noble and Barry Jones, this home at 6243 LaVista Drive was built in 1925. 

Architect Otto Herald designed the home in the Jacobethan style known for flattened, cusped Tudor arches, carved brick detailing, steep roof gables, balustrades, pillars, and high chimneys.  

The entire home has been restored. The third-floor attic was recently finished, and the kitchen is completely remodeled. 

Known as the “crown jewel of Swiss Avenue,” the LaVista palace was home to Las Vegas showgirl Willetta Stellmacher, who once dated Frank Sinatra. 

There’s a light fixture under the staircase from the Baker Hotel and rare Chinese reverse paintings on glass-etched windows. 

5314 Swiss Ave.

The Mediterranean villa with Georgian elements at 5314 Swiss Ave. was designed by Thompson and Fooshee in 1916. 

The home is owned by Greg De Prisco and Michelle Nichols. It was built in 1916 and was originally owned by E.R. Brown, founder of Magnolia Oil Company and President of Standard Oil Company. 

Fun fact: there’s a chicken coop replica of the home in the backyard. 

5421 Swiss Ave.

The 1916 Italian Renaissance home at 5421 Swiss Ave. is owned by James and Louise Finley. 

Thompson, Fooshee, and Cheek designed the home, originally owned by J.D. Padgitt Jr.

Major renovations include the kitchen, exterior living area, and a garage apartment.

The home was a wedding present for Jesse Durell Padgitt and his wife, Mai Blanche. The Padgitt family built three homes on Swiss Avenue.

The Padgitts were instrumental in organizing the State Fair of Texas and were once the largest wholesale saddle manufacturer in America.

6017 Swiss Ave.

The 1923 home at 6017 Swiss Ave. is celebrating its centennial this year. 

Owners Gary and Vanessa Hoffman are opening the doors to their prairie-style home designed by E. Ross Chandler. The original owner, E.H. Reeder, was a contractor who built the home. 

Recent major renovations include the kitchen and exterior living area.

The Hoffmans have lived in the home for 37 years. They’ve spent decades filling the home with 1920s light fixtures and antique furniture. 

6015 Bryan Parkway

The 1915 Craftsman at 6015 Bryan Parkway is owned by Ben and Mackenzie Bamford. 

Major renovations include the kitchen and exterior living room. 

A group of Swiss Avenue Historic District residents linked arms in front of this home in the early 2000s, thwarting a demolition truck while Preservation Dallas obtained a temporary restraining order to halt an impending teardown. 

Preservation Dallas owned the home and fully restored it from years of abuse that left it dilapidated, according to tour organizers.

6311 Bryan Parkway

The newest home on the tour is a 2004 structure built on an empty lot. 

The home at 6311 Bryan Parkway is owned by Mike and Barbara Fennell. The builder was tasked with making the new construction fit in with the historic district. 

It highlights modern living with a classic approach, according to home tour organizers. 

How to Attend

Tickets are still available to the Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home Tour, which is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 13 and noon to 6 p.m. May 14. Mother’s Day Brunch is at 11 a.m. on Sunday, May 14. Tickets are available via the Swiss Avenue Mother’s Day Home Tour website for $30 per person in advance and $35 on the weekend of the tour.

Want to attend for free? Stay tuned to CandysDirt.com for an exclusive giveaway!