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The 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition in Dallas

STATE OF TEXAS BUILDING

On Fair Park
Off I-75 and Lemmon Avenue
Dallas, Texas

by Sarah Reveley

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.

Hall of State in Fair Park, Dallas Texas
Hall of State in Fair Park
Photo courtesy Matt Pasant, 2008

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.

1936 Dallas Exposition Centennial Brochure
Sarah Reveley , March 09, 2009


Tejas Warrior Fair Park Dallas Texas
Tejas Warrior
Photo courtesy Jason Grant, 2006


Dallas TX - Fair Park Hall Of State Female Statue
See The Six Ladies of Fair Park
Photo courtesy of Mike Price, September 2009


Josset Sculpture Spirit of the Centennial 1936 Fair Park Dallas Texas
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 Texas Centennial Expo Bldg
Dallas' Centennial Expo Building
From "Monuments Commemorating the Centenary of Texas Independence", State of Texas, 1938
Courtesy Sarah Reveley


Dallas TX Centennial Expo Entry
Centennial Expo Entry


Dallas TX Centennial Expo Hall


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


Dallas TX Centennial Exposition Buildings and grounds
Texas Centennial Exposition Buildings and Grounds
Postcard courtesy Sarah Reveley


Dallas Texas Centennial Expo Administration Building
Centennial Expo Administration Building
Postcard courtesy Sarah Reveley


Dallas TX Centennial Expo Key
Centennial Expo Key
Postcard courtesy Sarah Reveley


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


Legend for aerial photo 1936 Texas  Centennial  Exposition  in Dallas
Legend for aerial photo
Courtesy Sarah Reveley


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


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


Jim Earl as junior Ranger TX centennial postcard
Jim Earl as junior Ranger
Postcard courtesy Sarah Reveley



© Sarah Reveley

See Fair Park - Hall of State
Dallas, Texas

Related Topics:
Texas Centennial
Texas Museums

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