Skycraper • Dallas Texas

THE MAGNOLIA BUILDING c.1921
Dallas, Texas

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The Magnolia Building (or at least Pegasus on top) has become the icon of the city - despite recent glitzy competitors. A reporter once described the Magnolia as "a great peg driven into the ground holding Dallas in its place."

The Magnolia Petroleum Company logo, the red, winged horse was hoisted into place in June of 1934 - midway through the Great Depression. Pegasus was first white - the way it appeared on early company signs. The sign revolved 1.3 times per minute and contains 1,162 feet of glass tubing. It was said to be visible to pilots from Hillsboro and some claimed to have seen it from Waco.

The 29-story building became the tallest in Dallas when it was completed in 1922. It towered over the 16-story Adolphus hotel across the street and was the 16th tallest in the U.S. (the 4th tallest if NYC buildings weren't included).

Buildings in the 20s were greatly influenced by NYC architecture. In New York, a city ordinance demanded setbacks to provide natural light. The English-born architect Alfred Bossom was a NYC architect.

The Dallas Hilton Hotel built in the early 1920s bears a strong resemblance to the Magnolia Building since both display what is called a flying segmental arch. The arch on the Magnolia building spans the 17th floor. A mural in the Texas Hall of State shows "Father Texas" embracing the Magnolia Building (and others).