The Dixico King’s Kessler Park Old English Tudor Has Secret Doors And so Much More

This gorgeous Kessler Park Old English Tudor was built for a king. Although not royalty, this king made a real difference in the lives of Dallas workers during the Great Depression.

Louis Carlisle Kimple was considered to be the king of wax paper. You know the stuff. Years ago, cake tins were lined with it, school sandwiches wrapped in it, and your Fritos came in bags made by Dixico.

Mr. Kimple and two partners purchased the Dixie Wax Paper Company in 1922. In 1925 they built the company plant on Polk Street and remained there until operations ended in 1995. That building is now Tyler Street Station, and I think Kimple would be pretty happy his old plant is experiencing a new life.

The really uplifting part of the Dixico story is that they produced what America needed at the time. So, despite the Great Depression, Dixico thrived and kept everyone working.

That desire to keep people working led to the construction of Mr. Kimple’s Kessler Park Old English Tudor home in 1931. It is one of Dallas’s finest, most detailed Old English Tudors, and I’d speculate it’s among the most authentic in America.

Kimple hired noted architects Carsey & Linksie, names you may recognize as they designed the Bath House and Boat House at White Rock Lake and numerous homes in the Park Cities.

The present owner, Mike Anglin, has lived here for over 30 years and has collected a great deal of knowledge about the home.

“The house was built during the worst moments of the Great Depression,” Anglin said. “The lore is that he justified the expenditure by the number of families he was keeping fed and making sure those families had Christmas presents for the kids under the tree. He hired the best craftsmen and tradesmen in the city because so many people were out of business.”

All you have to do is gaze at the Italian stained glass windows, plaster ceilings, and magnolia wood trim to understand these craftsmen were pouring their heart and soul into this Kessler Park Old English Tudor. It’s clear they were not only happy to be employed but also happy to be doing the work they loved.

Old English Tudor Authenticity

That authenticity is what drew Anglin to the home that Kimple loved for four decades.

“There was so much attention paid to creating authentic Tudor details,” Anglin said. “The arch over the door, for instance, is a true Tudor four-centered arch. Tudor roses were carved into the woodwork in the house, and there are hidden doors everywhere, which is characteristic of Old English Tudor homes.”

Remember how servants used to suddenly appear and disappear in movies featuring Tudor homes? It’s because those doors are built into the paneling. If you close them, you’ll have a tough time finding the way out unless you know the room.

Anglin is only the fourth owner of this 5,377-square-foot beauty, and he’s done everything he can to stay true to the historic origins while remodeling where necessary.

He opened up the kitchen because we all know that’s where everyone gathers.

“I love the kitchen,” Anglin said. “It’s a great entertaining space. Originally it was chopped up because when it was built, people had cooks, so it was a utilitarian space. There was also a butler’s pantry and a separate breakfast room, which didn’t make sense for our lives today.”

One of the more interesting features of the house is the octagonal oval dance hall added in 1944. Right now, it’s used as a large living space. Originally designed with a more southwestern flair, Anglin turned it into a proper English sitting room in 2013. The Tudor Rose theme was continued on the fireplace mantle. The floor is inlaid with contrasting wood to accentuate the shape of the room and you just may find a hidden door in here!

Another absolutely magical part of the property is the exterior spaces. When Anglin bought the home, the backyard was all lawn.

“There were a couple of trees and a chain link fence,” Anglin said. “I decided to build a wall for greater privacy, put in a pool, added patios and terraces, plants, and Cedar Elms and Japanese Maples, so there would be no need to mow!”

The end result is a gorgeous view from every window.

“This house is like a country squire’s home to me,” Anglin said. “With a historic home, you tend to see yourself as a custodian. It’s never boring!”

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate‘s listing agents Jason Saucedo and Kathy Hewitt have 1414 W. Colorado Blvd. available for $2.1 million.