🏞️ Overview and History of Highland Park, Texas

Highland Park is a highly affluent, incorporated town strategically situated in central Dallas County, Texas, operating as an independent municipality within the larger Dallas metropolitan area. Often grouped with its neighbor, University Park, to form the “Park Cities,” this 2.2-square-mile residential enclave is geographically an island surrounded by the city of Dallas. The community is recognized nationally for its exceptional affluence, consistently ranking among the wealthiest locations in Texas based on per capita income. The economic profile of Highland Park is characterized by a high proportion of residents holding advanced degrees and being employed in white-collar sectors, with Management Occupations, Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, and Finance & Insurance being the dominant industries. The town also boasts one of the nation’s highest-valued housing markets, with a median owner-occupied home value well exceeding the national average.

The town’s history dates back to 1889 when the land was acquired by the Philadelphia Place Land Association, who envisioned an exclusive housing development along Turtle Creek, initially naming it “Philadelphia Place.” This vision was stalled by the Panic of 1893. The foundational development began in earnest in the early 1900s when John Armstrong, along with his sons-in-law, purchased the land and subsequently hired Wilbur David Cook, the landscape architect responsible for Beverly Hills, California, to design the community. The name “Highland Park” was derived from its relatively higher elevation and the progressive commitment to dedicate 20% of the developed land to park space, contributing to its planned, park-like aesthetic. The town was officially incorporated in 1915, following a refusal for annexation by the city of Dallas in 1913. A significant landmark in its commercial history is the Highland Park Village, which opened in 1931 and is recognized as the first self-contained shopping center in the United States. Despite repeated, lengthy attempts by Dallas to annex the area throughout the 20th century, Highland Park has maintained its independent status, allowing it to preserve its distinctive character and strict zoning ordinances.

MORE ABOUT HIGHLAND PARK