Dallas History: Behind the Pink Wall

 

• Chapter 1: Hal Anderson
  The PHSNA is partially bordered by a unique wall built in 1954 by developer Hal Anderson. Hal set the tone for the construction of these properties by using an ancient wall style jazzed up by a brick color that was popular during the mid-century modern era of the 1950’s and 60’s. This serpentine design with locally manufactured pink brick is a one of a kind in the City of Dallas. Known to many Dallasites as the neighborhood Behind the Pink Wall, this phrase is attributed to Ebby Halliday who played an important role in the success of making this area a very desirable place to call home. (read more)

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• Chapter 2: The Athena
  The curvy Pink Wall is not only a distinctly architectural look it has also birthed a familiar phrase that made its way into the local vocabulary.  “Behind the Pink Wall” was a marketing phrase that has been successfully used since the early 1950’s.  Ads from the Dallas Morning News use the phrase to lure residents to the area that denoted a certain elegant part of town. (read more)​
   

• Chapter 3: Noteworthy Neighbors
  As the Preston Hollow area known as the “Behind the Pink Wall” became more popular with its stylish carefree apartment homes and proximity to North Park Mall and Preston Center a few noteworthy Dallasites were drawn to the neighborhood. Recently some members of the PHSNA had the privilege of meeting Mary Rogers who was Hal Anderson’s Secretary from 1961-1963. She considered Hal Anderson a visionary and recalled him being a subject of the Wall Street Journal during the time she work with him. (read more)
   

• Chapter 4: Now
  On November 3rd, 2025, the Pink Wall was submitted to the City of Dallas Landmark Commissioners for application for Landmark status. The Commissioners overwhelmingly approved the request.  This approval protects the wall from demolition until the final approval by the Dallas City Council. We anticipate this will go before the City Council after the first of the year.  We are excited the process is moving forward to protect a unique piece of history that helped define our neighborhood.