Home Sweet Home at This Munger Place Prairie
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Mat MacKay knew about Munger Place before he moved to the neighborhood, or at least he thought he did. But when he and his wife Maggie found their historic Munger Place Prairie house, they learned the community is like no other. They also knew they’d found their home, sweet home.
“I’m from Dallas and had lived in Lakewood but was not prepared for the level of involvement here,” MacKay said. “It’s a real community in every sense of the word. We love this house so much, and our neighborhood is great.”
Munger Place is a historic neighborhood in East Dallas, adjacent to Junius Heights and just southwest of Swiss Avenue. It consists of only five streets. It was developed by the old Munger family in 1905 and was one of the earliest deed-restricted neighborhoods in Dallas. With over 200 homes, the neighborhood has the largest intact collection of Prairie-influenced residences in North Texas.
Efforts to protect these homes began in the 1970s, culminating in Munger Place being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977 and the designation of the neighborhood as a Dallas Landmark District in 1988.
What this means for buyers is they can rest assured of a neighborhood that has historic architectural integrity that won’t be demolished. It’s one of the main reasons you find that sense of community here. MacKay put it beautifully: “You are really more of a custodian than an owner, and that means you are a part of a bigger community.”
The MacKays’ 2,534-square-foot Munger Place Prairie has been sensitively updated, maintaining its historic character. Several years ago the living area was opened up to provide the flow needed for modern life. The home has original hardwood floors, and the hallmarks of the Prairie style remain, from original moldings to the characteristic built-in bookcases flanking the updated fireplace and the dining room’s window seat.
So it’s with some sadness that the MacKays are putting this big, beautiful Munger Place Prairie on the market.
“We have three children under seven and two golden retrievers now, so it’s time for a bit more space.”
They will certainly miss the house but they are not going to miss the well-known Munger Wine Walk, Easter egg hunts, annual jack-o’-lantern carving, or spontaneous porch parties. “When you find a neighborhood you like, you want to stay there,” MacKay said. “So we are moving within the neighborhood!”
