Small Agriculture: A National Agricultural Library Digital Exhibit

Facts about Dalworthington Gardens

National Agricultural Library

subsistence homesteads

Initiated by the Division of Subsistence Homesteads of the Department of the Interior in December, 1933, Dalworthington Gardens was transferred to the Re- settlement Administration by Executive Order May 15, 1935. The project was completed January 4, 1936. On September 1, 1937, it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Farm Security Administration.

Purpose of Project: Dalworthington Gardens is a subsistence homesteads community for low-income families employed on a full or part-time basis in the various trades and industries in Dallas, Fort Worth and the vicinity. It was originally sponsored by Dallas-Fort Worth Veterans Relief Organization to provide better housing and living conditions and to give low-income workers an opportunity to increase their incomes by raising a major portion of their food supply in supplementary garden plots.

A 594 acre rolling prairie tract 622 feet above sea level was selected as the project site. The land is well drained and the soil is sandy loam of sufficient depth and fertility to be suitable for the growing of all garden crops common to the area. Each of the 78 individual tracts into which the site has been divided contains a house, cow barn, chicken house and combination garage and storeroom. Two old houses, which have been remodeled, were on the tract when purchased. A community water system, consisting of a 700 foot artesian well, a "standby well", storage tanks, mains and individual meters, supplies water. Sewage disposal is provided by Individual septic tanks. While gas is not available, electricity is furnished by a private utility. Telephone service is available to the homesteaders.

Farm Security Administration

n.d.