Park Cities Resources
Highland Park
Highland Park Information Gateway
Highland Park was built around the banks of Turtle Creek, along an early
trail called Preston Road that once led to the famous Chisholm Trail. In
1887, Colonel Henry Exall, an early settler, bought two square miles
around Turtle Creek and Preston Road. Later this land began to be
developed and residents wanted to become part of the City of Dallas. The
City of Dallas turned down the residents request to join, so they voted to
incorporate the town on its own. Ever since, it has been home to some of
the most influential people in Dallas, and the independent city has
remained one of the areas most desirable and exclusive
residential neighborhoods.
Property cost is high here, but most of its more than 9,000 residents
think it is worth paying for the excellent school system, city services,
convenient geographic location to downtown Dallas, and the comfortable
community feeling unique to Highland Park. The area is widely known for
its high quality of living, award-winning homes, and close proximity to a
variety of retail centers and Southern Methodist University. Highland
Park Village, located in the heart of Highland Park, is a
200,000-square-foot shopping center with more than 80 shops, restaurants
and offices. It holds the honor of being Americas first shopping center
and has retained its original Spanish architecture. Wilbur David Cook,
the landscape architect of the Town of Highland Park, also designed
Beverly Hills, California.
Highland Park is a city within a city. It has its own police and fire
departments, city government, library and school system, the Highland Park
Independent School District (HPISD). Highland Park has its own
Mayor-Council form of government and a city manager
as chief executive. The police chief, fire chief and city judge are
appointed. The police and
fire departments are within 2-3 minutes from your door. In addition, the
area boasts 22 parks totaling 60 acres, making it one of the most
beautiful neighborhoods in Dallas.
Highland Park Independent School District
(Map)
HPISD is a consolidated school district, serving residents in both
Highland Park and University Park. The district includes four elementary
schools, one middle school, one intermediate school and Highland Park High
School. It is recognized as one of the best public school systems in
Texas and in the United States. HPISD teachers are required to either
have a masters degree or they must attain a masters degree within five
years of being hired. More than 95 percent of the districts students
attend college after graduation.
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