State of Texas Building, Dallas Texas, 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. (original) (raw)

Don�t tell anybody, but the idea of a Centennial began with a Yankee. In 1923 a New York publisher was the keynote speaker of advertising clubs in Corsicana, Texas, and proposed a Centennial celebration. The primary reason was to introduce Texas� then unrecognized resources to the rest of the country. He believed an advertising campaign based on Texas� �gloriously romantic history �. would attract the attention and presence of the world.�

Between then and the opening of the centennial, there was a lot of excitement and enthusiasm mixed with a lot bickering and fighting about what should be where and who would do what, but in the end we ended up with a Texas size celebration that will never be forgotten.

Dallas - State of Texas Building

�Occupying a commanding position on a raised terrace garden at the head of a long reflecting pool and framed by a foreground of playing fountains, the State of Texas Building is effective as a massive memorial as well as an efficient building� � Centenary Commission

Architectural details tell the story of Texas history in symbolism. Heroic statues of Fannin, Lamar, Austin, Houston, Rusk, and Travis, executed by Pompeo Coppini, are in the Hall of Heroes. After the Centennial the building was leased by the State of Texas to the City of Dallas, and is operated by the Dallas Historical Society as a museum and library of Texas history.

The State of Texas Building is on the grounds of the Dallas State Fair, off Interstate 75 and Lemmon Avenue.

	Spirit of the Centennial, 1936, Fair Park, Dallas. Statue of concrete and plaster carved by Jose Martin. The reflection pool provided by Raoul Josset and Martin. The model for this statue was Georgia Carroll, lead singer with the Kay Kaiser band (who later became Mrs. Kaiser.) Photo courtesy Krystle Fleming, March 2006

Dallas' Centennial Expo Building
From "Monuments Commemorating the Centenary of Texas Independence", State of Texas, 1938
Courtesy Sarah Reveley

Two views of the Centennial Expo Hall
From "Monuments Commemorating the Centenary of Texas Independence", State of Texas, 1938
Courtesy Sarah Reveley

Texas Centennial Exposition Buildings and Grounds
Postcard courtesy Sarah Reveley

Centennial Expo Administration Building
Postcard courtesy Sarah Reveley

The 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition in Dallas - aerial photo
Click on image to enlarge
Courtesy Sarah Reveley

1936 Texas Centennial Exposition in Dallas - Aereal photo left
Click on image for full view
Courtesy Sarah Reveley

1936 Texas Centennial Exposition in Dallas - Aereal photo right
Click on image to enlarge
Courtesy Sarah Reveley