4949 Swiss Ave. as it appears today.
The story of 4949 Swiss Ave. has everything East Dallas neighbors love: History, criminal intrigue and zoning regulations.
The home was once owned by W.W. Caruth, who donated the land that would become SMU, and was later the property of Mary Ellen Bendtsen, the model and singer who dazzled Dallas in the early 20th century, and may be haunting it today. The home had three fireplaces on the ground floor, an intercom system and a ballroom mirror the size of a billboard.
It was also swindled away from an elderly Bendtsen by some conniving antique dealers, so a judge had to step in to return the home to the family. Unfortunately, it had fallen into such disrepair that it was difficult to sell. The carriage house was beyond repair due to a fire, but the historic district rules said it could not be taken down. The main house needed much work before it was livable,with plumbing and plaster issues.
Eventually, the house was put on the Swiss Avenue Home Tour, the planning commission said the carriage house could be demolished, and the house was purchased. It appears to be in solid condition today.
Read the entire story here.
