The History of Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon in Virginia has been called the most popular historic estate in the United States. Home to America's first president, George Washington, from 1754 to 1799, the house began around 1735. Lawrence Washington, George's half brother, decided to name the new family home for his former commander in the British navy, Admiral Edward Vernon. The name Mount Vernon first appears in correspondence in 1742.

Eight miles north of downtown Dallas, on a ten acre site facing picturesque White Rock Lake, one of Texas' fabled estates is a replica of the national landmark Mount Vernon. The neoclassical Georgian home was begun in 1928 and finished in 1930 by Thomas Y. Pickett who started his Dallas company in 1926. Janaury 1, 1938, legendary oilman H.L. Hunt moved his family into the home, the purchase including two peacocks, some chickens, a cow and a calf. Mr. Hunt planted pecan trees and added six deer to the grounds. Mrs. Hunt planted specimen live oak trees. Additions to the house during the six Hunt decades included one of Dallas' first private residential pools, with dirt moved by mule-driven scoops, pool house, tennis courts, guest house, garage, and utility buildings - all conditioned space, a residential rarity. In 2000, current owner John Amend began meticulous renovation of the house, outbuildings and grounds, completing restoration in 2002. A new two story guest house was completed, plus a showroom garage. And, in 2004, the latest facility, a profesionally equipped bowling center, had its grand opening. Much of the original structure remains - wood floors, doors and paneling, foot-thick concrete walls, marble fireplaces and hearths, a remarkable "Spirit of America" mural. Yet the timeless aura of comfort and liveability is reinforced with technology and amenities for centuries to come, in the same spirit as the builder of the original Mt. Vernon. The Washington family had owned the land in Virginia since 1674. The original home, built around 1735, was a four room farm home. When George Washington inherited interest in the home in 1752, he planned to rebuild, which started in 1757, raising the house a full story. After marriage in 1758, settling in the house meant changing the front entry to the west, facing land. He rebuilt it again in 1773, adding the columned piazza on the east side, fronting the water. The cupola was added in 1778 and the Dove of Peace weathervane in 1787 - all details found in the Dallas namesake, which has developed its own enduring tradition.

White Rock Valley and its creek attracted settlers in the 1840s. One early community was named Calhoun, later changed to Fisher. That name survives in Fisher Road. Dallas growth in the 1890s created a demand for water. Bachman Creek, in northwest Dallas, proved inadequate and in 1907 land was acquired in White Rock Valley for a new reservoir which was completed in 1911. In 1917, Dallas mayor Joe Lawther worked county jail inmates to build a dirt road encircling the new lake. The road was later named for him. White Rock Lake was dedicated as a city park in 1929. Through the next three decades, a day at the park was popular - for swimming, fishing, boating, or camping. The bathing beach was closed in 1952 and a ban on outboard motors more than 10.5 horsepower was enacted in 1958. Now, as White Rock prepares for its second century, this urban oasis with its 108 acre lake has been rediscovered and regaining its prominence in a variety of settings including biking and running along the 9.5 mile shoreline. This pastoral park is home