Ebby's Little White House
Located at the prominent intersection of West Northwest Highway and Preston Road in the heart of Dallas's affluent Preston Hollow neighborhood, 5999 West Northwest Highway is widely recognized as "Ebby’s Little White House."
Architectural and Historical Origins
The structure was originally built in 1926 by pioneering Dallas developer Ira P. DeLoache, who owned substantial tracts of land in what was then the independent municipality of Preston Hollow. Initially, the “Little White House” was constructed as a modest house and used by DeLoache as an early real estate office. Even though it was built to be an office, the building was designed with a charming residential character featuring distinct pointed roofs, dark shingles, and classic shutters. Legend notes that DeLoache would host prospective land buyers inside the building by the fireplace to discuss and close land transactions.
Preston Hollow Town Hall Era
In 1939, Preston Hollow incorporated as a municipality and the "Little White House" was chosen to serve as its Town Hall. Preston Hollow's independence was short-lived relative to Dallas's massive post-war expansion. In a 1945 vote, the City of Dallas formally annexed Preston Hollow, while University Park and Highland Park remained independent. With the town officially integrated into Dallas, the building's days as a functioning town hall came to an end.
The Ebby Halliday Legacy
While the structure served early North Dallas real estate functions for decades, its defining era began in 1964 when legendary Texas real estate pioneer Ebby Halliday purchased the property. Ebby requested that DeLoache extensively renovate the cottage while preserving its intimate, welcoming aesthetic.
For decades, the "Little White House" has served as a signature office and a powerful physical embodiment of the Ebby Halliday brand, standing as a familiar community landmark at a bustling metropolitan intersection.
Modern Status
Today, the building remains an enduring architectural icon and a cherished touchstone of Dallas history. The Ebby Halliday Foundation owns the “Little White House” and plans to preserve and renovate the building. For further information, please contact Mary Poss or any of the other Board Members.
The Little White House turns 100!
The Ebby Halliday Foundation recently celebrated the Little White House in Dallas turning 100 years old. But a centennial is more than a birthday—it is an opportunity to honor the past and inspire support for the future. Our celebration brought us together not only to mark this milestone, but also to encourage the preservation of the building and the history it holds.
Today, the Ebby Halliday Foundation owns the building, and the Foundation plans to preserve it. A rumor suggests that a Preston Center-type development is planned for the northwest quadrant of Northwest Highway and Preston Road, but that is not the plan of the Foundation which is to protect the Little White House and create beautiful landscaping that provides a welcoming gateway to Preston Center and the Preston Hollow area.
That is why this birthday celebration mattered. It was an opportunity to recognize the existence of the Little White House for 100 years and to invite support for its future. We encourage you to share its story, to help preserve its memories and to support efforts to protect the building. Together, we can keep both the Little White House and its history alive for generations to come.
