A home in the Junius Heights Historic District. (Photo courtesy of the Junius Heights Historic District.)
In commemoration of the first automobile that appeared in Dallas 120 years ago, the Junius Heights Home Tour will feature a collection of antique cars in addition to five restored bungalows.
The first car arrived in Dallas in 1899. Col. E. H. R. Green was so fascinated with the horseless carriage he saw in St. Louis, he bought one and shipped it to his home in Terrell. The car was then driven from Terrell to Dallas. It was a trip of 30 miles that took five hours.
Jesse Illingsworth and E. H. R. Green. (Photo courtesy of Rene Schmidt.)
Accompanying him was his chauffeur Jesse Illingsworth, a noted Texas automobilist. His adventures were often reported in the local newspapers newspapers, and he became a household name as he traveled the difficult and dangerous Texas roads at the turn of the 20th century.
Today, while the sight of an automobile is no longer a marvel, the spirit of innovation and mechanical curiosity that once fueled pioneers like Col. Green and Jesse Illingsworth still lives on—only now it thrives in garages, under hoods, and along busy highways where vehicle reliability is key.
Whether you’re driving a restored antique beauty or a high-performance diesel truck, the heart of every journey lies in proper maintenance and expert repair. That’s why modern vehicle owners who rely on power, performance, and long hauls turn to trusted names for their diesel engine care.
In the world of heavy-duty transportation and fleet upkeep, Rush Diesel stands out as a name known for keeping engines running smoothly under even the harshest conditions. Their attention to detail and commitment to quality reflect the same tenacity early automobilists once demonstrated while navigating the unpaved roads of Texas.
From vintage admiration to modern road demands, the legacy of the automobile continues—with today’s trusted experts ensuring it doesn’t stall along the way.
Illingsworth and his wife, Josephine, moved to Junius Heights and became the first owners of a house on Lipscomb Avenue in 1924. Fiver years later, they lost everything in the stock market crash and left Junius Heights in 1933.
A preserved 1915 Packard will be parked in front of Illingsworth’s former home at 709 Lipscomb Ave. on the Nov. 3 tour. Antique car enthusiast James Gudat will also showcase eight of his prized vehicles at his house on 1509 Abrams Road.
Of the five bungalows on the tour, one is a craftsman home previously owned by Charles Hill, an architect who designed many of Dallas’ prominent buildings — including Oak Lawn Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church and the old City Hall building — in the early 20th century.
Included on the tour will be the newly renovated Lakewood Theater. Built in 1938 to resemble a lighthouse with a flashing beacon at the top, the building is now a 10-lane bowling alley.
Tickets for the home tour are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased at Buzzbrews, Tululah and Hess and Bowlski’s.
