the texas theater
dealey plaza . the book depository . the grassy knoll . all commonly known locations associated with the assassination of JFK. However, there is one place I never learned about from my American History book, the Texas Theater.
One doesn’t visit the city of Dallas without going to see the site of one of America’s greatest historical events. You go and tour the book depository, take a seat on the grassy knoll, and stand in the middle of the street in the exact spots where JFK was shot, conveniently marked on the asphalt with “x”s (I don’t recommend doing this, as the street is still open to very heavy traffic). But seldom do you venture down the road to the Oak Cliff neighborhood to see the place where alleged assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, was actually arrested.
The hubby and I moved to Oak Cliff less than a year ago, and we pass the Texas Theater several times a month. I remember my excitement the first time I saw it, so happy to have an old theater in my neighborhood that was actually still in operation as a movie theater. I knew I wanted to include it in my theater illustration series, the facade is so fun and playful. But, it wasn’t until I began my research that I even knew the story of what lands this place on the National Register of Historic Places.
I do take responsibility in my lack of knowledge, and honestly, I’m pretty embarrassed. While history may have been my favorite subject in high school, I didn’t exactly take the opportunity to expand my learnings when it came to events that, at the time, weren’t anywhere remotely in my region. But now, being a resident of the city of Dallas, I feel it’s almost my duty to know the history of the neighborhood that I reside in. And, let me tell you, the history is rich….
Before we get into the juicy stuff, a little back story to the beginnings of the Texas Theater. It opened on April 21, 1931, and was the first in the region to be built for talking picture shows. It was also the first theater in Dallas to have an air conditioner, a pretty big attraction if you’ve ever experienced the Texas summer heat. Briefly owned by billionaire Howard Hughes, it was developed with state-of-the-art projection and sound equipment, sparing no expense to make the largest suburban movie theater in dallas. The interior of the theater was reminiscent of a Venetian styling, with fountains, painted ceilings, large chandeliers, and opera boxes in the auditorium. All of which would be covered and sealed away after the events of November 22, 1963.
Most of us know the story of the assassination of John F Kennedy, but the events at the Texas Theater happened in the hours after the tragic event. At approximately 1:14 pm, 45 minutes after the shooting of JFK, Officer J.D. Tippit stopped Lee Harvey Oswald, who fit the assassin’s description that was being broadcast on the local radio. Tippit exited his patrol car, and while walking to the front of the vehicle, Oswald shot him three times. After falling to the asphalt, he shot him one last time in the head and fled. A nearby witness, used the police radio in Tippit’s patrol car to call in the shooting and gave a description of Lee Harvey Oswald.
Shortly after, a local Jefferson Blvd store owner, John Brewer, witnessed a suspicious man loitering outside the Texas Theater, before entering without purchasing a ticket. He matched the description of the man the local radio was detailed as having shot Officer Tippit. Brewer walked down to the theater and notified Julia Postal, the box office worker, who immediately phoned the police.
At around 1:45, Dallas officers descended on the Texas Theater and arrested Lee Harvey Oswald.
After the theater’s 15 minutes of fame, most of Dallas wanted the Texas Theater out of the spotlight. In response, all of the beautifully painted ceilings and decorative designs were covered in Spanish style stucco. It was what most preservationist claim as the “most comprehinsive architectural cover-up in the twentieth century”. The screen was replaced, chairs reupholstered, and the box office was brought inside. Finally, in 1965, the iconic “TEXAS” marquee was converted to a new “Six Flags of Texas” styled design that can still be seen today.
Since that notorious day back in 1963, the theater has changed hands multiple times, been vandalized, nearly destroyed by a fire, and has narrowly missed the wrecking ball. In 2001, the Oak Cliff Foundation purchased the building and added it to the National Register of Historic Places. Now it’s in the hands of Aviation Cinemas, and just completed a $2 billion renovation + expansion.
Today, it’s a working theater that shows both indie films and new release blockbusters alike. They have two screening rooms, both with their own bars, where you can grab a cocktail creatively named after the newest movie release. The bar opens 45 minutes before the first show, and they encourage you to bring your own vinyl to play on their record player while you wait.
For all the history buffs, go check out a movie, and spot the seat(s) currently occupying the spot where Lee Harvey Oswald was sitting when the cops arrested him (the original seat was taken into evidence back in 1963). Or, come watch the movie “War is Hell” on the anniversary of the JFK assassination, just as Lee Harvey Oswald did back in 1963. Just make sure to pay for your ticket…
click below for your own illustration of the texas theater
sources :
the texas theater ( https://thetexastheatre.com/about/#history )