Start your walk at the intersection of Anita and Abrams where, depending on the
season, you may be lucky to spot some whimsical skeletons; they usually pop up for
Halloween and then stick around for several other holidays. Becky Gruber first started
decorating with the skeletons in 2015 before she moved to Wilshire Heights. She
brought her skelly collection to Wilshire Heights in 2017 and was able to take advantage
of her corner lot to add to her collection. Each year she can’t resist adding a
few more. She currently is up to one 12’ skeleton, 10 of the five-foot skeletons,
and an assortment of dogs, bats, etc.
Stroll along the 6200 and 6300 blocks of Ellsworth Avenue to view three homes built
in the Spanish style; admire the beautiful tile work as well as colorful gardens
that wind their way to the front doors.
The next stop is St Thomas Aquinas Church in the 6300 block of Kenwood. Completed
in 1957, the building is a fusion of Romanesque and New-Gothic styles; admire the
rose window in the choir loft as well as the renowned Shudi organ. The marble for
the alter was quarried from the same site Michealangelo used for his Pieta.
As you make your way down Kenwood be sure to stop and admire the beautiful Live
Oak tree at 6247 – one of the largest trees in the neighborhood. Owner Elaine Prokup
just took over care of the tree when she moved to Wilshire Heights about a year
ago. By making a calculation based on the circumference of the trunk, she estimates
the tree is over 200 years old.
Don’t forget to turn down Alderson to admire the mural at the intersection of Alderson
and Revere.
Lovely maidens stare down a fire breathing dragon. Artist and homeowner Lee Ann
McConnell painted the original mural (horses and children running across the fence)
in response to the Covid pandemic. Over the years the mural changed several times
and underwent a larger change to its current depiction in early 2023. As for the
story behind the current illustration, Lee Ann summed it up in one word that can
be seen riding along the dragon’s back.
Continue down Alderson to the northeast corner of Malcolm and admire the lovely
gardens. From cheerful red poppies in the spring to summer cone flowers and tomatoes,
there is almost always something in bloom. The garden was planted 39 years ago and
has morphed over the years from mostly vegetables to mostly a flower garden that
serves as a pollinator refuge for all sorts of butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
Head gardener Evelyn Grubbs loves talking to neighbors and walkers by and answering
their questions about the garden. And be sure to keep an eye out for the rare Blue
Bottle Tree in the northwest corner!
Further down Malcom be sure to pause at 6231 to admire the beautiful Deodar Cedar
tree that hovers elegantly over the front yard. The name derives from the Sanskrit
and translates to “timber of the gods.” It is native to the Himalayas where it is
known to reach 250 feet tall. The species was introduced in the United States in
1831. Homeowners Linda Gardner and Fred Alsup were told by an original neighbor
that the tree was planted around 1940. It used to be much taller but was struck
by lightning many years ago.
Next head south to McCommas and stop to admire the beautiful line of crape myrtle
trees planted along the south side of the 6300 block. Well known Texas gardener
Howard Garrett wrote about the stand of watermelon-red crape myrtles in his Dallas
Morning News column as a splendid example of the proper way to plant and maintain
crape myrtles – make sure to keep the root flare exposed and never top your tree
to maintain a certain height.
Move west to 6278 McCommas to view several pieces of art in the yard and on the
front porch. Look up in the trees to spot “Lady in Swing” by Allen Wynn – she often
sports seasonal décor such as a fall pumpkin or a Santa hat. The stainless-steel
wind spinner titled “Weeping Willow” is the work of Lyman Whitaker. Search in the
east flower bed for a wooden head that is the work of Maui artist Avi Kiriaty –
it is the base and the roots of a palm tree. Finally look to the porch to spot three
glass spheres by Japanese glass blower Hiroshi Yamano.
Depending on the season you may be lucky to enjoy some holiday décor at 6255 McCommas.
This is definitely one of the most festive homes in Wilshire Heights. Multiple decorations
crop up to celebrate Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Independence Day,
Halloween, and of course Christmas. And yes, the owner does need a separate storage
unit to store all her holiday décor.
If you need a rest, feel free to stop and sit at the bench alongside the Little
Free Library at 6239 McCommas. You are welcome to take a book and leave one as well.
Sheila and Lenox Bower built the current Tiki-inspired, thatched-roof structure
on top an old tree trunk after their original library was damaged by a fallen tree
branch. Hardly a day goes by that at least one or two neighbors stop by to visit.
A colorful beach umbrella creates shade in the heat of the summer. Also of interest
is the funky and colorful bottle fence on the west side of the Bower’s property.
Lennox drilled holes in over 200 colored and clear wine bottles and added them to
the fence to create a little privacy between the Bowers and their next-door neighbor
Elena Duplessis. Several neighbors donated wine bottles making it a true community
effort.
Before you leave McCommas, be sure to work your way west to Clements and admire
the triangle garden between McCommas and Malcolm. The garden is an excellent example
of how to use heat-tolerant plants in your own yard. Plantings include Dallas Red
dwarf lantana, Mexican petunia ( or ruellia); pink and white guara, agave cacti,
salvia, and Texas primrose. Neighborhood volunteers maintain the garden.
You are nearly to the end of the neighborhood when you turn up Mercedes. Look for
the gnome house built into a tree stump at 6107 Mercedes. Homeowner Girija Thyagarajan
created the gnome home in 2019 after a storm brought down one of her front yard
trees. She asked her roofer to build the wood shingle roof and Girija found the
gnome set online
Continue down Mercedes and then admire the lovely gardens at the corner of Mercedes
and Norris. And be sure to look at the front of the house to view some truly glorious
yucca gloriosa!
The last stop is Jacotte Circle – many neighbors are unaware that Jacotte Circle
even exists. In fact, prior to GPS maps, one of the homeowners even had a guy at
a pizza place tell her “Lady, there’s no street there.” To find Jacotte turn right
into the circle just before Abrams Road. Well known architects O’Neil Ford and Howard
Meyer designed several of the homes along Jacotte. Lost Cottage (toward the end
of the street with the shingle roof) was originally the gate keepers/gardener's
cottage for the Abrams' family estate. The front door doesn't face the street as
it originally faced the entrance to the estate as the other two homes didn't exist.
The two brick walls with finials at Mercedes and Abrams herald the entrance to the
estate. The house was used in the 1978 teen flick "Seniors" which stars Dennis Quaid
and other assorted recognizable character actors. Lost Cottage was home to the wacky
professor that invents a sex serum that the boys of course try out. The home at
3210 Jacotte Circle was used as the "sex institute" where their serum was put to
work. There are some great outside scenes that show how the homes looked like in
1978. Lost Cottage was also once featured in a Sanger Harris Christmas commercial.
The alley that runs behind it all the way to Alderson is called Sheep’s Run and
allows access to all parts of the estate.
