1 - Explore Dallas audio tour: DMN, Main Street Garden, Statler, Old Dallas City Hall
Jul 13, 2022, 09:05 PM
Dallas Morning News architecture critic Mark Lamster and features writer Michael Granberry begin our audio tour of Dallas in front of the The News' downtown headquarters at 1954 Commerce St.
They provide context on Main Street Garden Park (00:45) across the street, discuss the newspaper building's unique history as the Old Dallas Public Library space, describe the Statler Hotel (1:42) which was owned by Conrad Hilton and brough the miracle of air conditioning to a Dallas hotel.
Turning left on Hardwood, our guides point out Old CIty Hall (2:30), the old municipal building built in 1914, which is today home of the UNT Law Center.
Optional bonus backstory: Granberry describes the infamous history of Old City Hall (3:38 - 7:13), which also served as the Dallas Police Station, where Lee Harvey Oswald was held after the assassination of JFK. Oswald would also be shot and killed in that building by Jack Ruby.