The House That Almost Didn’t Happen: The Private Elizabeth Blvd. Retreat of a Passionate Preservationist

On my daily dog walks that take me down Elizabeth Blvd., I have often remarked on what an enchanted place this special spot on this historic street is. Under a canopy of shady trees, during the energy-sapping dog days of North Texas summers, I swear it’s 10 degrees cooler here and that the grass truly is greener. And yet this house almost didn’t happen.

Developer John C. Ryan required that the structures on Elizabeth Blvd. be constructed of masonry or stucco with tile or slate roofs. Ryan wanted his good friend, banker and civic leader John N. Sparks, to build in his new development but Sparks wanted a wood-frame Craftsman house. Ryan made an exception for his friend, and 1215 Elizabeth Blvd. remains the only wood-frame house on the historic street.

However, it does have a slate roof.

“A Life That Far Exceeded Anything I Ever Imagined”

Those were the words of civic leader Joan Kline whose life of energetic, selfless giving was honored with memorials after her death in late October by no fewer than four local charities in addition to her funeral mass at Saint Andrews Catholic Church.

Kline’s work to preserve and reinvigorate the Near Southside is honored annually with an award in her name. She was responsible for saving the historic Sanguinet and Staats-designed Our Lady of Victory Building, which now serves as an arts center.

Anyone living in Ryan Place owes this dear woman a huge debt of gratitude for her efforts to save the neighborhood and fight ill-conceived and destructive urban planning schemes, marking the beginning of the renaissance of the area.

I have been waiting 11 years to have a peek inside this house and I am not disappointed. Inside, this Elizabeth Blvd. Craftsman is a perfectly preserved time capsule.

Built in 1911, the 113-year-old, 3,164-square-foot house is the second oldest house on the street. Amazingly it’s all here perfectly intact — the exceptional honey-colored woodwork, Queen Anne style glazing, and built-in cabinets. The sole gas fireplace is in the foyer, which serves as a secondary sitting area.

The intricate beams and woodwork are the product of German-born architect L. B. Weinmman who, along with A. N. Dawson, designed the Fort Worth City Hall that was demolished and replaced.

The extensive network of ceiling beams and raised dados give definition and force to the spaces. The long dining room must have been a welcome and necessary convenience. The Klines raised 10 children in the home, which feels like it could fit a full dozen without being cramped.

Also a throwback is the vintage kitchen. On the plus side is a truly restaurant-grade range with six gas burners, a griddle, a toaster/broiler, and two ovens. On the minus side of the ledger is a dearth of cabinets. A complete tear-out isn’t necessary. New surfaces, the addition of upper cabinets, and new flooring would address the lion’s share of issues.

Another example of perfect preservation is the built-in china cabinet in the butler’s pantry. The wide staircase leads to the four bedrooms upstairs. Narrower stairs lead to the cellar.

Rooms upstairs are large and include found space from an enclosed sleeping porch. The bath retains the original claw-foot tub.

The fenced-in backyard has alley access and a detached two-car garage or carriage house with an apartment.

The Kline family called 1215 Elizabeth Blvd. home for 60 years. This unique property is yet another legacy of a remarkable woman whose great love for Ryan Place — and this home in particular — radiates from every corner.

Will Kelly and Leigh Crates of Compass Real Estate have priced 1215 Elizabeth Boulevard at $850,000.