The Flickr Nrhp86003488 Image Generatr

The Texas Centennial Exposition was not only a celebration of Texas independence, but also of Texas and Western culture. The 1936-37 Exposition was also a festival of architecture, which embraced the then-new International style of architecture. Traditionally, worlds fairs are the testing grounds for new ideas in building design; Dallas and its Exposition architects chose to reflect the style of the Exposition Des Arts Decoratifs in Paris in 1925. They were also influenced by the recently completed "Century of Progress" in Chicago (1933-34), where the International style of architecture was prominently displayed.

The significance of Fair Park also extends beyond the architectural theme of the remaining buildings. Fair Park is one of the largest intact grouping of Exposition buildings remaining in the United States. Most World's Fairs or Exposition grounds in the United States have been demolished, except for one or two exceptional buildings. However, many of the original 1936 buildings and open spaces remain today from the Texas Centennial Exposition, even though several were constructed as "temporary" structures.

Fair Park is also significant in terms of urban design, open space design, and artwork and sculpture. The Exposition architecture expressed monumentality in design, but this was reinforced by the open spaces and landscaping that the buildings were sited around. The grounds were planned on two landscape design themes: a Beaux Arts theme that involved grand plazas and vistas that intersected or were terminated by major buildings, and a pastoral theme that used winding paths, random landscaping, and building siting to create a very informal atmosphere. The majority of these open spaces, both formal and informal, exist today in one of America's most well-planned parks. Four major open space areas (and their buildings) still remain: Esplanade of State (Grand Plaza—Esplanade of State—Texas Court of Honor); Agrarian Parkway and The Chute; Federal Concourse (Federal Concourse—Constitution Place—Stadium Plaza); and the Lagoon and Centennial Drive. These spaces combine to create a series of monumental spaces, formal vistas, landscaping, and pastoral images unparalleled in a planned park in Texas and the Southwest.

The sculptures, murals, and other artwork remaining from the Exposition are also significant. Often intended to be "temporary" artwork, they reinforced the monumentality of the buildings and the open space design in Fair Park. Many of the artists studied in Paris; their work remains in exterior spaces as sculpture and murals, and inside many of the buildings in the Park.

This structure, now known as the Hall of State, at the head of the Esplanade and seen in the photograph above, was constructed in 1936 and is regarded as an excellent example of Art Deco architecture and was the showpiece of the Centennial Exposition. It features a large curved central mass with lower rectangular wings. The Centennial Corporation Architects (George Dahl and staff, including Donald Nelson) prepared the design and construction documents for this building, only to have the board of Control (a State agency established to oversee the entire Centennial effort) select another group of architects to begin again. This group of architects was called the Centennial Architects Associated, and included H.B. Thomason, Dewitt and Washburn, Fooshee and Cheek, Walter P. Sharp, Ralph Bryan, Anton Korn, Mark Lemmon, Flint and Brass, T.J. Galbraith, Arthur Thomas, Donald Barthelme of Houston, and Adams and Adams of San Antonio. Donald Barthelme was the principal designer for the project, and Adams and Adams were the interior designers. Unfortunately, the building was only partially completed in time for the Centennial Exposition opening. It houses many pieces of art, including statues, friezes, murals, medallions, and stenciled ceilings. The building is dedicated to the State of Texas and her heroes. Above the entrance is a carved sculpture by Harry Lee Bigson. In relief, a female figure, which represents Texas, kneels behind the Texas flag. Below, the owl of wisdom holds the key to progress and prosperity. In the background are branches from the State tree, the pecan. Focusing attention on the entrance is an heroic bronze and gold-leaf statue of an Indian, which stands on a dais 20' high. This "Tejas Warrior" by Dallas sculptor Allie V. Tennant is 11' tall. The figure acts as a terminus for the bronze floors at the entrance. The inner wall of the niche is faced with ceramic tiles of deep blue and orange. Inside the size and drama of the art is overwhelming. In the Hall of Heroes, on marble pedestals, are six heroic-sized bronze statues of great figures of the Texas Revolution. These statues by Pompeo Coppini are considered to be the finest examples of his work. Above and along the walls is a frieze that records the battles of the Texas Revolution. The Hall of Heroes opens onto the Great Hall, which is 94' long, 68' wide, and 46' high. Murals span the north and south walls. They depict Texas history beginning in 1519 and ending with figures representing the arts and the development of the cotton, grain, oil, lumber, and agricultural industries. The murals, by Eugene Savage of New York, with the assistance by Reveau Bassett and James Buchanan Winn, Jr., both of Texas, were the largest murals in the world at the time they were painted. And, finally, a magnificent medallion representing the six nations that have ruled Texas is mounted on the far wall of the hall. Designed by Joseph E. Renier, the medallion, 25' in diameter, is a bas-relief in three tones of gold.

The Texas Centennial Exposition Buildings (or more commonly referred to as Fair Park or Site of Texas State Fairs) was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on September 24, 1986 for its long standing history described above and includes The Women's Museum above. Most all of the information above was found on the original documents submitted for listing consideration and can be viewed here:
npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail/c6f55c0d-ef32-44ca-950...

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/

The Texas Centennial Exposition was not only a celebration of Texas independence, but also of Texas and Western culture. The 1936-37 Exposition was also a festival of architecture, which embraced the then-new International style of architecture. Traditionally, worlds fairs are the testing grounds for new ideas in building design; Dallas and its Exposition architects chose to reflect the style of the Exposition Des Arts Decoratifs in Paris in 1925. They were also influenced by the recently completed "Century of Progress" in Chicago (1933-34), where the International style of architecture was prominently displayed.

The significance of Fair Park also extends beyond the architectural theme of the remaining buildings. Fair Park is one of the largest intact grouping of Exposition buildings remaining in the United States. Most World's Fairs or Exposition grounds in the United States have been demolished, except for one or two exceptional buildings. However, many of the original 1936 buildings and open spaces remain today from the Texas Centennial Exposition, even though several were constructed as "temporary" structures.

Fair Park is also significant in terms of urban design, open space design, and artwork and sculpture. The Exposition architecture expressed monumentality in design, but this was reinforced by the open spaces and landscaping that the buildings were sited around. The grounds were planned on two landscape design themes: a Beaux Arts theme that involved grand plazas and vistas that intersected or were terminated by major buildings, and a pastoral theme that used winding paths, random landscaping, and building siting to create a very informal atmosphere. The majority of these open spaces, both formal and informal, exist today in one of America's most well-planned parks. Four major open space areas (and their buildings) still remain: Esplanade of State (Grand Plaza—Esplanade of State—Texas Court of Honor); Agrarian Parkway and The Chute; Federal Concourse (Federal Concourse—Constitution Place—Stadium Plaza); and the Lagoon and Centennial Drive. These spaces combine to create a series of monumental spaces, formal vistas, landscaping, and pastoral images unparalleled in a planned park in Texas and the Southwest.

The sculptures, murals, and other artwork remaining from the Exposition are also significant. Often intended to be "temporary" artwork, they reinforced the monumentality of the buildings and the open space design in Fair Park. Many of the artists studied in Paris; their work remains in exterior spaces as sculpture and murals, and inside many of the buildings in the Park.

The Texas Centennial Exposition Buildings (or more commonly referred to as Fair Park or Site of Texas State Fairs) was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on September 24, 1986 for its long standing history described above. Most all of the information above was found on the original documents submitted for listing consideration and can be viewed here:
npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail/c6f55c0d-ef32-44ca-950...

Further indication of the importance and historical significance of the State Fair of Texas can be found within the Fair Park grounds on the historical marker erected in 1969 by the Texas State Historical Survey Committee. It reads:
Founded in 1886, the State Fair of Texas now ranks as the most largely attended state fair in the U.S. It was begun as a private, nonprofit corporation for civic purposes by Capt. W.H. Gaston and other pioneer business and civic leaders of Dallas.
Since 1904 the fair grounds have been owned by the city, which maintains them as a public park except during the annual two-week fair.
The fair suspended operations for two years in order to permit the Central Exposition of the Texas Centennial Celebration to be held here in 1936. In 1937 the Pan American Exposition used the grounds.
Over the years great names have appeared here, including Wild West showman Buffalo Bill, Harry Houdini the magician, silver-tongued orator William Jennings Bryan, and Comanche War Chief Quanah Parker.
Federal, state, and city governments have erected a series of permanent buildings on the fair grounds, including the Hall of State, five other museums, Music Hall, Livestock Coliseum, and "Cotton Bowl".
Originally 80 acres in size, the grounds have been successively enlarged to include the present 250 acres. Over 100,000,000 persons have entered its gates during annual expositions.

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/

The Texas Centennial Exposition was not only a celebration of Texas independence, but also of Texas and Western culture. The 1936-37 Exposition was also a festival of architecture, which embraced the then-new International style of architecture. Traditionally, worlds fairs are the testing grounds for new ideas in building design; Dallas and its Exposition architects chose to reflect the style of the Exposition Des Arts Decoratifs in Paris in 1925. They were also influenced by the recently completed "Century of Progress" in Chicago (1933-34), where the International style of architecture was prominently displayed.

The significance of Fair Park also extends beyond the architectural theme of the remaining buildings. Fair Park is one of the largest intact grouping of Exposition buildings remaining in the United States. Most World's Fairs or Exposition grounds in the United States have been demolished, except for one or two exceptional buildings. However, many of the original 1936 buildings and open spaces remain today from the Texas Centennial Exposition, even though several were constructed as "temporary" structures.

Fair Park is also significant in terms of urban design, open space design, and artwork and sculpture. The Exposition architecture expressed monumentality in design, but this was reinforced by the open spaces and landscaping that the buildings were sited around. The grounds were planned on two landscape design themes: a Beaux Arts theme that involved grand plazas and vistas that intersected or were terminated by major buildings, and a pastoral theme that used winding paths, random landscaping, and building siting to create a very informal atmosphere. The majority of these open spaces, both formal and informal, exist today in one of America's most well-planned parks. Four major open space areas (and their buildings) still remain: Esplanade of State (Grand Plaza—Esplanade of State—Texas Court of Honor); Agrarian Parkway and The Chute; Federal Concourse (Federal Concourse—Constitution Place—Stadium Plaza); and the Lagoon and Centennial Drive. These spaces combine to create a series of monumental spaces, formal vistas, landscaping, and pastoral images unparalleled in a planned park in Texas and the Southwest.

The sculptures, murals, and other artwork remaining from the Exposition are also significant. Often intended to be "temporary" artwork, they reinforced the monumentality of the buildings and the open space design in Fair Park. Many of the artists studied in Paris; their work remains in exterior spaces as sculpture and murals, and inside many of the buildings in the Park.

The Continental Oil/Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) House was designed by W.R. Brown and constructed in 1936 for the Texas Centennial Exposition as the company's "Hospitality House". Visitors to the Exposition could sit & rest on the verandah of the house or visit the travel bureau inside, which was there to help folks find out about and get to other Centennial events across Texas. In 1938, after the Centennial Exposition and subsequent Pan-American Exposition, the Continental Oil Company donated the house to the Daughters of the American Revolution. This 2-story house in Southern Colonial Plantation style features a 2-story front porch supported by six columns and a balustraded deck over the porch. Inside are historical exhibits and displays of various artifacts donated by or belonging to D.A.R. members. One of the more interesting things to see is a Republic of Texas land grant signed by Sam Houston. On one wall hangs a picture frame full of old buttons and badges dating from around the turn of the century. Among these is an original "Quanah Route Day" badge bearing a likeness of Chief Parker. There are also State Fair badges dating back to 1888 and political buttons picturing Teddy Roosevelt and other politicians of his era.

The Texas Centennial Exposition Buildings (or more commonly referred to as Fair Park or Site of Texas State Fairs) was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on September 24, 1986 for its long standing history described above and includes The Women's Museum above. Most all of the information above was found on the original documents submitted for listing consideration and can be viewed here:
npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail/c6f55c0d-ef32-44ca-950...

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/

The Texas Centennial Exposition was not only a celebration of Texas independence, but also of Texas and Western culture. The 1936-37 Exposition was also a festival of architecture, which embraced the then-new International style of architecture. Traditionally, worlds fairs are the testing grounds for new ideas in building design; Dallas and its Exposition architects chose to reflect the style of the Exposition Des Arts Decoratifs in Paris in 1925. They were also influenced by the recently completed "Century of Progress" in Chicago (1933-34), where the International style of architecture was prominently displayed.

The significance of Fair Park also extends beyond the architectural theme of the remaining buildings. Fair Park is one of the largest intact grouping of Exposition buildings remaining in the United States. Most World's Fairs or Exposition grounds in the United States have been demolished, except for one or two exceptional buildings. However, many of the original 1936 buildings and open spaces remain today from the Texas Centennial Exposition, even though several were constructed as "temporary" structures.

Fair Park is also significant in terms of urban design, open space design, and artwork and sculpture. The Exposition architecture expressed monumentality in design, but this was reinforced by the open spaces and landscaping that the buildings were sited around. The grounds were planned on two landscape design themes: a Beaux Arts theme that involved grand plazas and vistas that intersected or were terminated by major buildings, and a pastoral theme that used winding paths, random landscaping, and building siting to create a very informal atmosphere. The majority of these open spaces, both formal and informal, exist today in one of America's most well-planned parks. Four major open space areas (and their buildings) still remain: Esplanade of State (Grand Plaza—Esplanade of State—Texas Court of Honor); Agrarian Parkway and The Chute; Federal Concourse (Federal Concourse—Constitution Place—Stadium Plaza); and the Lagoon and Centennial Drive. These spaces combine to create a series of monumental spaces, formal vistas, landscaping, and pastoral images unparalleled in a planned park in Texas and the Southwest.

The sculptures, murals, and other artwork remaining from the Exposition are also significant. Often intended to be "temporary" artwork, they reinforced the monumentality of the buildings and the open space design in Fair Park. Many of the artists studied in Paris; their work remains in exterior spaces as sculpture and murals, and inside many of the buildings in the Park.

The Maintenance Building (aka the Hall of Administration but originally called the Fair Park "Coliseum" and seen in the photograph above) was constructed in 1910 by architect James Flanders as the State Fair Coliseum at a cost of $108,000. It was to be used for horse shows and breeders' exhibits but it became an 8,000-seat auditorium. In this capacity it was host over the years to innumerable plays, pageants, speeches, band concerts, and vaudeville revues. And, in 1915, the Coliseum hosted the Jess Willard Championship Boxing Match. Later, this Spanish Romanesque style building was renamed and remodeled in Art Deco style for the Texas Centennial Exposition. The building's brick exterior was covered with stucco during the 1935-1936 remodeling of the park, and radically restyled so as to match the "Texanic" Art Deco style of the new structures designed by George Dahl for the Exposition. Its most outstanding features is a large mural and a statue set into a niche. The statue, some twenty feet tall, is of a beautiful nude young woman standing upon a saguaro cactus. Finally, in October 2000, the old Coliseum became the Women's Museum after F.&S. Partners renovated both the exterior and the cavernous interior at a cost of about $25 million. Wendy Evans Joseph of New York was the project's design architect. The Women’s Museum is a Smithsonian-affiliated museum that feature the stories and accomplishments of women in American history. Works at the museum include the Electronic Quilt, a 30-foot-high wall of “image patches” that feature photos, quotes, colors, and more; the Diversity of Women, a screen that uses morphing technology to blend the faces of different, diverse, women; and the Wall of Words, a collection of inspirational quotes. Today, the museum has several permanent exhibitions as well as special & traveling exhibits and is available for guided tours or can be rented out for special events.

The Texas Centennial Exposition Buildings (or more commonly referred to as Fair Park or Site of Texas State Fairs) was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on September 24, 1986 for its long standing history described above and includes The Women's Museum above. Most all of the information above was found on the original documents submitted for listing consideration and can be viewed here:
npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/AssetDetail/c6f55c0d-ef32-44ca-950...

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/

The Cotton Bowl is an outdoor football stadium in Dallas, Texas. Opened in 1930 as Fair Park Stadium, it is on the site of the State Fair of Texas, known as Fair Park. It became known as "The House That Doak Built", due to the immense crowds that SMU running back Doak Walker drew to the stadium during his college career in the late 1940's.

The stadium has been home to many football teams over the years, including: SMU Mustangs (NCAA), Dallas Cowboys (NFL; 1960–1971), Dallas Texans (NFL) (1952), Dallas Texans (AFL; 1960–1962), and soccer teams, the Dallas Tornado (NASL; 1967–1968), and FC Dallas (MLS; as the Dallas Burn 1996–2004, as FC Dallas 2005). It was also one of the nine venues used for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. As of 2022, it is the largest stadium by capacity in the United States without a professional or college team as a regular tenant.

This historic landmark also serves as the site of the annual Red River Rivalry football game between the University of Texas Longhorns & the University of Oklahoma Sooners and was the original home of the annual Cotton Bowl Classic from 1937 until 2009, when the game was moved to AT&T Stadium in Arlington in January 2010. From hosting the NFL Championship on January 1, 1967, to watching 23 Heisman Trophy winners take the field, Cotton Bowl Stadium has seen its share of highlights in its 90-plus years. Today, the stadium has a capacity of more than 91,000 seats, making it one of the largest stadiums in the country.

The stadium is also included in the Texas Centennial Exposition Buildings listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). It was added on September 24, 1986 along with many other buildings within Fair Park.
npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/86003488

Three bracketed photos were taken with a handheld Nikon D7200 and combined with Photomatix Pro to create this HDR image. Additional adjustments were made in Photoshop CS6.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11

The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/