"Subdivided: Isolation and Community in America"|documentary airing 01.03.07 on KERA

[Lakewooder]

Forest Hills native examines life in the burbs and White Rock Lake community



07:15 PM CDT on Sunday, October 23, 2005



By ALLEN HOUSTON / Neighbors Editor



Endless sprawling suburbs cut from the anesthetized cookie-cutter of a developer, trying to scheme up the perfect Stepford neighborhood. Neighborhoods with names like “Deer Run,” where there is no where to walk, nothing to do and interaction with people down the street is little more than background static to the isolated insularity of their lives.<!-- Image starts here -->

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/08-05/0827bixby.jpg Allen Houston

<!-- Image ends here -->Little Forest Hills native Dean Terry discovered these cold facts about Far North Dallas, the hard way, after returning home from 14 years in California.

“Not long after I moved in, I saw one of my neighbors out mowing his lawn. I walked across the street with my hand out and he turned his back on me,” Terry said. “It kept happening. I tried to meet neighbors, and it was obvious that this was just a very isolated place. That got me thinking about what was happening to our country and the decline of the community over the last 30 years.”

Out of that was born the genesis for Subdivided, a documentary that examines life in Little Forest Hills, a vibrant older community with strong identity, and Far North Dallas and West Plano, where there is relatively little communal interaction or personality.

Terry traveled to suburbs in Atlanta and Phoenix to see what effect sprawl was having there and also interviewed national experts on urban planning.

The film was shown in rough form at the Dallas Video Festival earlier this year, and Terry plans on having final editing finished by January.

Terry spent the halycon days of his youth riding the forgotten nooks and by-ways of Little Forest Hills.

“It’s my old stomping grounds,” he said. “I knew every inch of this neighborhood. It was a different place back then. There were more working-class people.”

One of the themes of the film is a self-narrative of Terry reinvestigating the place that he was raised.

“When I moved to California, I wanted to divest myself of all things Texan, except for the music and the cowboy boots that I wore.”

But Texas wouldn’t completely relinquish its hold. After riding the dot.com wave until it flamed, Terry landed a job as assistant professor of aesthetic studies at the University of Texas at Dallas.

Terry’s concludes in the film that the new northern neighborhoods create isolation.

“Everything north of 635 is basically a sprawl. They are individual housing projects brought together only by cars,” he said. “You are not meant to walk anywhere, like in a traditional neighborhood.”

The advent of media with video games and computers has also changed the way that we live.

“It’s a social interaction through chat and online games, but it’s not physical interaction,” he said.

Old neighborhoods like Little Forest Hills were built to be more open and inviting.

“Little Forest Hills was not built perfectly,” he said. “It takes a group of individuals working hard to ensure that it’s a vibrant community with a heart and soul.”

Terry believes that the “McMansions” coming into older neighborhoods create communal distress by the simple fact of being built.

“It’s a visual problem,” he said. “It upsets the senses of place a neighborhood previously had. To people who live in some of the older Dallas neighborhoods, it even feels a little like encroachment. And some of the people who live in Lakewood are afraid that those new homes will take over and change the nature of where they live.”

On the other hand, Terry said people in these neighborhoods have to accept that higher density is a better use of land and energy and that as Dallas grows that it will only increase.

The whole process of making Subdivided has made him more appreciative of where he was raised.

“I admit that it was a surrealistic experience. I found that the present was just overlaying many things from the past that I could remember.”

And he still doesn’t know anyone in North Dallas.

For more information about Subdivided, visit www.deanterry.com.



E-mail Forest Hills/M Streets/ Lakewood Neighbors Editor Allen Houston at ahouston@dallasnews. com, (ahouston@dallasnews.com)

[Insidetheloop]

If everyone had a large front porch suburb isolationism would vanish. I wonder if front porches are not built into new homes because they are not a marketable catch phrase like crown molding, granite counter-tops or vaulted ceilings.

Insidetheloop,

Has a big ass front porch

[jdwillis]

If everyone had a large front porch suburb isolationism would vanish. I wonder if front porches are not built into new homes because they are not a marketable catch phrase like crown molding, granite counter-tops or vaulted ceilings.

Insidetheloop,

Has a big ass front porch

Nope. Big porches aren't living space and don't count. They don't add much to the amount per square foot you can charge for a home.

Personally, I favor a big, covered porch. But I understand the climate 'round these parts and how such a feature can drastically alter the energy usage patterns of a home. Well, that, and I just kind of like a big porch upon which to sit, sip some iced tea, lemonade, or wine, and contemplate the day's events.

But that's just me.

BTW, the entire Forest Hills neighborhood is a great place. We've worked on more than a few of those homes, both the large and the small. I'd like to own one of them. The problem is they are in Dallas proper and I just don't want to live in Dallas...

[FoUTASportscaster]

The problem is they are in Dallas proper and I just don't want to live in Dallas...


Why?

[TexasStar]

If everyone had a large front porch suburb isolationism would vanish...

Or failing that, just open up the garage door and put a few lawn chairs in there.

[psukhu]

The article seems to be specifically talking about Far North Dallas, the area within the Dallas city limits north of 635. The residents there don't want the LRT on the Cotton Belt RR line. A TOD is the only way I see new urbanism coming to Far North Dallas.

In sharp contrast, the other municipalities adjacent to Far North Dallas have made an effort to focus on smart growth. Addison has Addison Circle, Plano has Legacy Town Center & Downtown Plano and Richardson had the future TODs on the LRT Red Line.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Very true. The problem that I see with Far North Dallas is that they have a suburb feel and want to be like a Frisco with their big houses and SUV's. It almost seems to me that they wish to be a suburb.

[Insidetheloop]

Very true. The problem that I see with Far North Dallas is that they have a suburb feel and want to be like a Frisco with their big houses and SUV's. It almost seems to me that they wish to be a suburb.

How do you figure Far North Dallas wants to be like Frisco? People in Far North Dallas have always driven big SUV's, lived in large homes and lived a " car commuter" lifestyle for over 30 years. 5 years ago, Frisco was still just empty cotton fields.

[drumguy8800]

Very true. The problem that I see with Far North Dallas is that they have a suburb feel and want to be like a Frisco with their big houses and SUV's. It almost seems to me that they wish to be a suburb.Just because its inside Dallas proper doesn't mean this area isn't suburban and thusly a 'suburb.' It does have a suburban feel and it is a 'suburb' of the urban parts of the city, which also happen to be in Dallas proper.

Insidetheloop, Far North Dallas developed in the 80s and 90s.. it used to be farming land just like Frisco. Just happens to be a little farther south.

[Insidetheloop]

The homes in Far North Dallas were built in the early to mid-1970's. It was over 90% built-out by 1980. The only neighborhood I can think of that was not built until the late 1980's was the narrow sliver of land between Dallas and Plano(Renner area) where 190 now runs.

[WestTexan]

Many of you are making broad generalizations about Far North Dallas that are not at all accurate. As Insidetheloop pointed out, most of Far North Dallas began in the late 50's and was completely built out by the late 70's. There are great neighborhoods like Northwood Hills, Springcreek and Prestonwood that have a strong sense of community and have many residents that are there are the original owners. Many of their children and grandchildren are now living in the neighborhood. A strong Jewish community forms the stable base of many of these neighborhoods. I can assure you that most of these neighborhoods are as cohesive and stable as any neighborhood in East or North Dallas.

I have to believe that the writer of the subject documentary was referring to that small sliver in far Far North Dallas that is in Collin County and that was developed during the last 15-20 years.

And to all of you self-important East Dallasites, I hate to inform you, but your neighborhoods are have exactly the same suburban design as 90% of the rest of DFW. The homes are just a little older.

[Milkman Dan]

WT, I agree exactly with what you said. When reading the article I thought to myself "Little Forest Hills = urban lifestyle???" You have to get in your car to get anywhere in LFH (as well as my neighborhood near Lakewood). I don't know any urban meccas anywhere in DFW other than the psudo-urban uptown area (where everyone still has to get in their car each day)... It's like this writer is making up this imaginary utopian urban world that he used to live in.

I am a self-important East Dallasite, but I understand that my neighborhood is not better than others because of its urban proximity to anything in particular. It's better becasue of the character of home design, quality of craftsmanship, and outstanding neighborhood feel. Give me my commuter (albeit shorter driving distance to downtown than N of 635 folks) neighborhood any day over the crap in "new urbanism" uptown.

[Columbus Civil]

other than the psudo-urban uptown area (where everyone still has to get in their car each day)

What are you talking about?? Everyone in Uptown walks.

[WestTexan]

It's better becasue of the character of home design, quality of craftsmanship, and outstanding neighborhood feel.

No doubt.

[psukhu]

Very true. The problem that I see with Far North Dallas is that they have a suburb feel and want to be like a Frisco with their big houses and SUV's. It almost seems to me that they wish to be a suburb.


Most of Far North Dallas was built during the white flight era and many of the original residents still live there as empty nesters. In contrast, Frisco's residents are mostly made up of young families from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds. Frisco is being built right now as urban renewal booms in the inner city and pedestrian oriented developments are in demand in the suburbs.

(Frisco is building a massive new urbanism development called Frisco Square and they are at least begining to talk about mass transit.)

[jdwillis]

The problem is they are in Dallas proper and I just don't want to live in Dallas...




Why?


It is difficult to describe. You know about how people often say some place is great to visit but they wouldn't want to live there? That's kind of how I've always felt about Dallas, with this difference: Dallas is a fine place to make money, but I wouldn't want to live there. To my way of thinking, "Dallas" means the greater Dallas area, including all the suburbs.

In fact, our goal is to move, eventually, quite a ways farther away from Dallas, when and if our plans begin to come together the way they are designed to. Dallas=congestion. Dallas=pollution. Dallas=those damned annoying thumping car stereo systems. Dallas=corruption. Sure, Dallas also equals lots of good and fabulous things, but to our way of thinking, a higher quality of life, for us, can be better obtained a bit farther out. And I don't mean Frisco, that is just another version of hell so far as I'm concerned and I certainly wouldn't live in such a place by choice.

[Lakewooder]

I find no congestion in East Dallas. I don't have to wait through a stoplight multiple times and everywhere I wish to go is 5-10 minutes away. Many times I have to stay in the car to hear the end of a song or a thought on talk radio.

Yes, I guess to the outside, many of us around here seem self-important. I don't think that we believe we are better than everyone else. It's just that we know about a wonderful lifestyle and we wish to share the good news as much as Campus Crusade for Christ.

Many of our neighborhoods were set out as suburban additions. But we don't have the ubiquitous six-lane, buffer-zoned grid system with 'estate walls' like points north. The only exception might be Mockingbird and Abrams. Our houses have porches and are oriented to the streets and neighbors. We have unique commerical buildings which are not in a sea of parking. You can actually stroll to a store or restaurant.

And our people are different -- many have been here for several generations and have all kinds of ties to one another. The newcomers tend to adopt that laid-back feeling. Showing off is still considered a no-no, generally. We have a unique mix of incomes, races and people of all stripes.

From Fair Park to the north, we have Samuell Grand-Tenison, the Dallas Arboretum and White Rock Lake -- a huge chain of parks. North Dallas and its neighbors have nothing similar.

[Columbus Civil]

I stopped reading after this:


I don't think that we believe we are better than everyone else.

[Lakewooder]

You missed the best part.

[Columbus Civil]

You mean the rest of it was even funnier?

[DalLove444]

And I don't mean Frisco, that is just another version of hell so far as I'm concerned and I certainly wouldn't live in such a place by choice.

C'mon JD, you gotta B kidding me. Oh, really?? What does this mean 4 people that want a pedestrian friendly environment whether its Uptown or Frisco??


I don't know any urban meccas anywhere in DFW other than the psudo-urban uptown area (where everyone still has to get in their car each day)...

i dont need to say anything, no comment. I think Columbus Civil adressed this very well, thanx CC!!

[Columbus Civil]

No..I'm just bored and causing trouble. I figure most people have me on Ignore anyway.

[hamiltonpl]

In my experience, East Dallas is the friendliest part of Dallas. In the Park Cities, people were nice. But there wasn't much depth. On Turtle Creek, my wife and I reintroduced ourselves to our neighbors each week. In Lakewood, we've already had two block parties and the neighbors know each other well.

This is just my personal experience, so it's not scientifically accurate. But I don't think that "suburbia" breeds the type of behavior that the author describes above. After all, on Turtle Creek the people were the same way.

Jerks are jerks. Whether they live in Lakewood or North Dallas.

[DalLove444]

No, CC. Dont give up now!! We need people like you 2 tell it like it is. Besides I think that if Milkman Dan were to move to NYC today, he wood STILL need a car 2 get around!!

[Columbus Civil]

I was just messin' with Lakewooder 'cause he's so sensitive ;)

[Lakewooder]

Pisces are sensitive until you get them riled:

http://www.thegremlin.com/WARNER.BROS/21101wb.JPG

[Lakewooder]

In my experience, East Dallas is the friendliest part of Dallas. In the Park Cities, people were nice. But there wasn't much depth. On Turtle Creek, my wife and I reintroduced ourselves to our neighbors each week. In Lakewood, we've already had two block parties and the neighbors know each other well.

This is just my personal experience, so it's not scientifically accurate. But I don't think that "suburbia" breeds the type of behavior that the author describes above. After all, on Turtle Creek the people were the same way.

Jerks are jerks. Whether they live in Lakewood or North Dallas.

Something upon which we can agree!

We were inclucated at a young age to be friendly around here...that used to be the Texas motto, not sure how many Texans still follow such edicts. That's probably why you'll find strange people talking and saying hello to you in the grocery store lines (we aren't really looking to see what you bought). We couldn't go two steps down the hallway in school without a howdy, howyadoin' or hello. Also we begin in a very colloquial manner and the conversation goes up or down the intellectual scale as required. "What do you do?" (as in job) is not usually asked until much later, if at all...

At one the funeral of my best friend's father, he eulogized his Daddy by saying "he taught us to be friendly."

There wasn't a dry eye in the house...

[jdwillis]

[QUOTE=DalLove444]C'mon JD, you gotta B kidding me. Oh, really?? What does this mean 4 people that want a pedestrian friendly environment whether its Uptown or Frisco??

It means they are free to live where ever and how ever they like, of course. I'm not on any crusade here. I'm just suggesting that there are many different, equally valid ways to live a happy and successful life. Nothing more. And nothing less.

[Bryant]

I love living in the urban environment. Whether it's from roads crowded with cars or sidewalks jammed with people, I love the sense of anonymity. I've lived in Lakewood, and it seemed far more suburban than North Dallas or Uptown.

[Noah Vale]

Dallas=congestion. Dallas=pollution. ...a higher quality of life, for us, can be better obtained a bit farther out.

You do realized that by moving a "bit farther out", you become a part of the reason you hate Dallas, right?

And yeah, I just moved to east Dallas, and it's awesome. Just wish I could get organic/vegetarian groceries at the stores around here instead of having to go to Central Market...

[trolleygirl]

A very wise old friend of mine once said, "you can live in the city or you can live in the country. But you can't live in between. Of course, he also lived in Lakewood and had a cabin out in Llano. He was right about that.

I can't figure out, for the life of me, what jd finds so great about the Land 'O Gar...........I never go there intentionally, so why would someone so smart want to live there on purpose? Oh well, it's his decision, I suppose.

I live in an "urban subdivision", as most of Dallas' older "urban" communities are known. Dallas is a traditionally "suburban" city. Think about Downtown in the '40's, '50's and '60's, in it's heyday. Bustling with office workers and shoppers- people would take the streetcars to get downtown to go to work or shop, they would live in neighborhoods in East Dallas or Oak Cliff. It was modern, it was urban. But how many residences were in DT during that time? Our downtown was never a place to live. It has always been a place for commerce. You look at Uptown now and think, "wow, it's so modern, so urban", and there are like 11,000 residents. Again, we've never had that sort of urban density that places such as Chicago, St. Louis, Philly, Boston, NYC have. Sunbelt cities all tend to be very "suburban" in nature.

So, yeah, I'm five miles from downtown now, just east of Fair Park. Five miles from downtown. I live in a very suburban-styled neighborhood. But I consider, as far as Dallas goes, to live an "urban" lifestyle. Maybe we should expand the CBD and then everyone within a five-mile-radius could be part of downtown. Maybe that would help.

[St-T]

[QUOTE=jdwillis] Dallas=congestion. Dallas=pollution. Dallas=those damned annoying thumping car stereo systems. Dallas=corruption.
:confused:

GARALND=MOSTLY GHETTO
GARLAND=ONLY CHAIN RESTAURANTS
GARLAND=THANK GOD I ONLY HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH TO GET SOMEWHERE ELSE


...and, I grew up in Garland so I have the right to say all of that! Luckily, my parents moved out and I avoid it like the plague.

[gc]

This forum has certainly gotten hostile lately....

[St-T]

^I need to calm it down--i've been in a foul mood this week... :(

[trolleygirl]

Actually, both jdwillis and I grew up in Garland, and we both graduated from Garland Senior High. I always wanted to leave after I graduated. jdwillis went to UT Austin. I went to Atlanta. I never came back to Garland, well actually I did for ~ a year after I came back from Atlanta, bot not on purpose. I moved from there to Junius Heights and from there to where I am happily now- in Parkdale, a charming neighborhood south of I-30. Some of y'all have been there......

[jdwillis]

You do realized that by moving a "bit farther out", you become a part of the reason you hate Dallas, right?


You might be making several incorrect assumptions..

[jdwillis]

I can't figure out, for the life of me, what jd finds so great about the Land 'O Gar...........I never go there intentionally, so why would someone so smart want to live there on purpose? Oh well, it's his decision, I suppose..

Well, it just kind of happened that way. We are working on that problem, every day...

[jdwillis]

[QUOTE=jdwillis] Dallas=congestion. Dallas=pollution. Dallas=those damned annoying thumping car stereo systems. Dallas=corruption.
:confused:

GARALND=MOSTLY GHETTO
GARLAND=ONLY CHAIN RESTAURANTS
GARLAND=THANK GOD I ONLY HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH TO GET SOMEWHERE ELSE


...and, I grew up in Garland so I have the right to say all of that! Luckily, my parents moved out and I avoid it like the plague.

Our neighborhood isn't yet "mostly ghetto"...or did you misspell Barrio? There are some very nice, non-chain restaurants in Garland. Your last comment is the one that is a real problem with many of the inner suburbs...people who live in the outer ring of the 'burbs only drive through them. If you've read some of my other posts you'll recognize the term "economic doughnut" I've been applying to Garland and how it is a real problem.

[DalLove444]

Posted by Trolleygirl:
Actually, both jdwillis and I grew up in Garland, and we both graduated from Garland Senior High. I always wanted to leave after I graduated.
Hi TG. I once stayed in a hotel on Jupiter Rd in Garland. Not pretty. The only place 2 go 2 eat was a Waffle house & I had 2 walk about half a mile to/from the hotel & darts #374 bus stop 2 go to S garland transit center. This was before the opening of LBJ/Skillman Station.

Waiting for that #374 bus to arrive, no joke!! :guns:

[BigD5349]

This sounds interesting. On Channel 13 this Wednesday, set your tivo...


Subdivided: Isolation and Community in America

Wednesday, January 3, 8:00pm

CHANNEL 13 (KERA)

An examination of modern suburban life, detailing how development has impacted the East Dallas neighborhood of Little Forest Hills. Written and directed by University of Texas-Dallas communications professor Dean Terry.

[Random Traffic Guy]

The author/director(??) has a blog: http://www.subdivided.net/blog/

[jsoto3]

On air now: discussion with director on "Think" on KERA.
http://www.kera.org/radio/think/
listen live: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kera/ppr/index.shtml

[LakeRidge]

I grew up in South Garland, graduated from South Garland High in 1996, and my parents still live there. The chain restaurants are mostly concentrated in the newer sections of far North Garland. The older parts of Garland have great, inexpensive Mom & Pop restaurants. I still drive 30 minutes every month or so to go to Bakery by George on Broadway for donuts. Arc-encial (spelling?) is an awesome Asian restaurant in Garland near the hospital. Don't get me started on the garlic rolls from A Taste of Italy. And the neighborhood along Duck Creek (Glenbrook Rd) between Kingsley and Saturn has a very "Little Forest Hills before the teardowns" feel to it. Cool 50s and 60s ranch houses on big lots with huge trees...and the neighbors still talk to each other.

[Custerridge]

I watched this "documentary" and it was very weak in its argument. I still prefer the suburbs to that junked out neighborhood in Dallas.

Very one-sided.

[BigD5349]

The program was more about the funkiness of Little Forest Hills, IMO. They didn't really hit the nail on the head in describing how to design neighborhoods for community.

But, it was really cool how the neighbors rallied around and helped that guy rebuild his house after a fire. When I lived in the burbs, I absolutely could not imagine my neighbors jumping in like that. I guess when you're in Plano you assume everyone has insurance. Anyway, the character of Dallas' neighborhoods is a key differentiator from the burbs, and it's something that should be preserved to the greatest extent possible.

[sasquatch69]

Custerridge, I can assure you that Little Forest Hills isn't "junked out". It is decidedly funky, but has some charming homes and a lot of pride among its residents. I lived there for a year, and wouldn't mind going back if one of the larger homes went on the market and it were more convenient (unfortunately, it's not anywhere close to my job and my wife's job).

[warlock55]

Very one-sided.

Since it was attacking the status quo, I think that was the idea.

The program didn't break any new ground, but I think its real benefit was to raise common awareness about some of the actual problems of suburbia, and what an alternative looks like. I don't think I'd like to specifically live in Little Forest Hills, but I do envy their sense of community.

[Insidetheloop]

There was quite a bit of irony involved using Little Forest Hills as a good example of a neighborhood and the sprawling subdivisions of Plano as a bad example.

Little Forest Hills itself was an unwanted subdivision at one time. The original Forest Hills got it's start in the 1920's as it's own incorporated town. Many of the homes in the original subdivision were designed by top architectural firms and quite unique. When the depression hit, then World War II, 1/2 of the development went unsold. The developers needed to sell the remaining tracts but could not find buyers for the larger lots. The developer(DMN article below) wanted to decrease the size of the lots and build wood frame homes.

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/552/102f7928aaf4b2c8tj3.gif

Forest Hills itself was annexed by the City of Dallas in the 1940's but only after a very bitter fight. The citizens of Forest Hills actually gave away Little Forrest Hills to Dallas, not wanting a subdivision like that associated with their larger homes. Forest Hills became a part of Dallas only after the sewer and waterlines started to fall apart. They needed Dallas to fix their infrastructure.

The documentary itself was fairly weak but better than what other local TV stations could have produced on the subject. I would of like to have seen these "new urbanist planners" actual projects. All I saw were sketches. Makes me wonder if they actually have any projects or if they just moan and groan about stuff. During the "new urbanist" planner interviews they would cut to shots of Addison Circle, which, ironically was built by the same builder as one of the subdivisions they were complaining about for using cheesy construction.

I think if one were to wait 50 years, let the trees grow up 40 feet then maybe West Plano will look "cool" too.

I have pictures of Lakewood, Preston Hollow and Oak Cliff during construction and immediate post-construction. They look similar to what we see in Plano, Frisco, Flower Mound today( except for the "snoot garages" which are lame-o).

[rantanamo]

I watched this "documentary" and it was very weak in its argument. I still prefer the suburbs to that junked out neighborhood in Dallas.

Very one-sided.

The point of the show didn't seem like it was trying to make one better than the other. The point seemed to be asking why such a common disconnect with people and how architecture and design have effected that. Plano is simply a great example of the American disconnect. Its also a place where he lived. It wasn't saying that everyone in Plano is unfriendly, nor did it ever say there isn't any culture.. It was saying that the design and distance affect interaction. It made perfectly good sense to me. This is what everyone is missing. This was not a critique on living in a house with a yard. This was a commentary on how we've gone from houses with a yard, with streets that connected people and other neighborhoods to stretching out that model, bending it, twisting it and cheapening it as much as possible. Not Garland or Plano vs Dallas. Its also making money and developers the evil people responsible for the lawn mowing guy not shaking hands with his neighbor. It wasn't about YOU or YOU or ME and my choice to live in a Cul-de-Sac. It was about why there are Cul-de-Sacs at all. Why do the streets meander. Why are there unecessary distances between subdivisions, and how the subdivision has taken the place of the neighborhood.

Inside, if you watched the program, you know it did talk about how Little Forest Hills was just like any other working class suburb when he lived there as a kid. It wasn't ironic at all as they explained two major shifts in neighborhood designs, home materials and triangle size. Dallas' streetcar burbs and older neighborhoods came before the last era, which we are still a part of today.

[Insidetheloop]

Sure there was tons of irony. The "triangle" for someone living in the Little Forest Hills of the early 1950's would be twice as large as the "triangle" of an Oak Cliff resident living in a 1910's-20's home. Little Forest Hills was twice the distance away from everything else. Literally in the sticks. 1940's-50's Dallasites hee-hawed at people for living that far away just like the long hairs on that program did last night at the citizens of Plano.