Old Dallas Central Library
Encyclopedia
The former Dallas Public Library, now known as Old Dallas Central Library, is a multi-level civic structure located at 1954 Commerce Street in downtown
Dallas, Texas
(USA
). It is located on the edge of the Farmers Market District and adjacent to Main Street Garden Park
. It is a contributing property
in the Harwood Historic District
and, along with the adjacent Dallas Statler Hilton
, represents the best block of mid-twentieth century architecture
in Dallas. It was formerly a part of Dallas Public Library
.
as the replacement for the 1901 Carnegie Library located on the same site. While Carnegie Library was being razed and the new library constructed, the Dallas Public Library
moved their collections to Union Station
temporarily.
The library opened in September 1955 capable of holding 800,000 volumes but only containing 300,000 books. It contained 120000 square feet (11,148.4 m²) on 4 above ground levels and 2 below ground levels, with provisions for 2 additional floors in the future. The auditorium in the second basement seated 250 people and a terrace allowed for a rooftop garden.
The Dallas Public Library moved their collection to the larger J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
upon completion of that building in 1982. The building was sold to an investment company which also owns the adjacent Dallas Statler Hilton
, but the building has remained vacant since the library's departure.
was commissioned to design a metal screen to hang above the circulation desk. When his $8,500 abstract "Textured Screen" was unveiled in 1955, Dallas Mayor R.L. Thornton called it “a bunch of junk painted up,” and a “cheap welding job.” Outrage over the sculpture grew so much that architect George Dahl purchased the artwork himself and moved it to his private home, where it remained until wealthy and embarrassed citizens donated money for the sculpture. It was reinstalled in time for the library's opening, and now resides inside the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
.
The façade of the library contained an 880-pound, 20 feet (6.1 m) high aluminum sculpture by Marshall Fredericks
entitled "Youth in the Hands of God." Symbolizing "the hands of God supporting youth reaching for learning through the medium of literature," the $12,000 relief sculpture depicted two hands lifting a boy wearing blue jeans. The library planned to take the sculpture with them to the new building, but it remained on the empty building for several years. In 1993 the sculpture was sold and now resides at the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
at Saginaw Valley State University
.
Downtown Dallas
Downtown Dallas is the Central Business District in Dallas, Texas USA, located in the geographic center of the city. The area termed "Downtown" has traditionally been defined as bounded by the downtown freeway loop: bounded on the east by I-345 Downtown Dallas is the Central Business District...
Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
(USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
). It is located on the edge of the Farmers Market District and adjacent to Main Street Garden Park
Main Street Garden Park
Main Street Garden Park is a public park located in downtown Dallas, Texas, USA The $17.4 million park was primarily funded through the City of Dallas’ 2003 and 2006 bond programs and is the first of several planned downtown core parks, including Pacific Plaza Park and Belo Garden Park...
. It is a contributing property
Contributing property
In the law regulating historic districts in the United States, a contributing resource or contributing property is any building, structure, or object which adds to the historical integrity or architectural qualities that make the historic district, listed locally or federally, significant...
in the Harwood Historic District
Harwood Historic District
The Harwood Historic District is a historic commercial district and Dallas Landmark District on the east end of downtown Dallas, Texas lying in parts of the City Center District, Main Street District and Farmers Market District...
and, along with the adjacent Dallas Statler Hilton
Dallas Statler Hilton
The former Dallas Statler Hilton is an iconic building of mid-twentieth century design located at 1914 Commerce Street in downtown Dallas, Texas . It is located on the edge of the Farmers Market District and adjacent to Main Street Garden Park. The hotel was praised as the first modern American...
, represents the best block of mid-twentieth century architecture
Mid-century modern
Mid-Century modern is an architectural, interior and product design form that generally describes mid-20th century developments in modern design, architecture, and urban development from roughly 1933 to 1965...
in Dallas. It was formerly a part of Dallas Public Library
Dallas Public Library
The Dallas Public Library system serves as the municipal library system of the city of Dallas, Texas .-History:In 1899, the idea to create a free public library in Dallas was conceived by the Dallas Federation of Women's Clubs, led by president Mrs. Henry Exall. She helped raise US$11,000 from...
.
History
The Dallas Public Library was designed by noted architect George DahlGeorge Dahl
George Leighton Dahl was a prominent American architect based in Dallas, Texas during the 20th century. His most notable contributions include the Art Deco structures of Fair Park while he oversaw planning and construction of the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition.-Background:George Dahl was born in...
as the replacement for the 1901 Carnegie Library located on the same site. While Carnegie Library was being razed and the new library constructed, the Dallas Public Library
Dallas Public Library
The Dallas Public Library system serves as the municipal library system of the city of Dallas, Texas .-History:In 1899, the idea to create a free public library in Dallas was conceived by the Dallas Federation of Women's Clubs, led by president Mrs. Henry Exall. She helped raise US$11,000 from...
moved their collections to Union Station
Union Station (Dallas)
Union Station, also known as Dallas Union Terminal, is a DART Light Rail, commuter rail, and Amtrak intercity rail station located in the Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas on Houston Street, between Wood and Young Streets...
temporarily.
The library opened in September 1955 capable of holding 800,000 volumes but only containing 300,000 books. It contained 120000 square feet (11,148.4 m²) on 4 above ground levels and 2 below ground levels, with provisions for 2 additional floors in the future. The auditorium in the second basement seated 250 people and a terrace allowed for a rooftop garden.
The Dallas Public Library moved their collection to the larger J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
The J. Erik Jonsson Central Library is the Main Library of the Dallas Public Library system. It is located at 1515 Young Street in the Government District of downtown Dallas, Texas, directly across from Dallas City Hall.- About :...
upon completion of that building in 1982. The building was sold to an investment company which also owns the adjacent Dallas Statler Hilton
Dallas Statler Hilton
The former Dallas Statler Hilton is an iconic building of mid-twentieth century design located at 1914 Commerce Street in downtown Dallas, Texas . It is located on the edge of the Farmers Market District and adjacent to Main Street Garden Park. The hotel was praised as the first modern American...
, but the building has remained vacant since the library's departure.
Controversial artwork
From the beginning, the new library building's artwork caused controversy. Harry BertoiaHarry Bertoia
Harry Bertoia , was an Italian-born artist, sculptor, and modern furniture designer....
was commissioned to design a metal screen to hang above the circulation desk. When his $8,500 abstract "Textured Screen" was unveiled in 1955, Dallas Mayor R.L. Thornton called it “a bunch of junk painted up,” and a “cheap welding job.” Outrage over the sculpture grew so much that architect George Dahl purchased the artwork himself and moved it to his private home, where it remained until wealthy and embarrassed citizens donated money for the sculpture. It was reinstalled in time for the library's opening, and now resides inside the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
J. Erik Jonsson Central Library
The J. Erik Jonsson Central Library is the Main Library of the Dallas Public Library system. It is located at 1515 Young Street in the Government District of downtown Dallas, Texas, directly across from Dallas City Hall.- About :...
.
The façade of the library contained an 880-pound, 20 feet (6.1 m) high aluminum sculpture by Marshall Fredericks
Marshall Fredericks
Marshall Maynard Fredericks was an American sculptor.-Biography:Fredericks was born of Scandinavian heritage in Rock Island, Illinois on January 31, 1908. His family moved to Florida for a short time and then settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he grew up...
entitled "Youth in the Hands of God." Symbolizing "the hands of God supporting youth reaching for learning through the medium of literature," the $12,000 relief sculpture depicted two hands lifting a boy wearing blue jeans. The library planned to take the sculpture with them to the new building, but it remained on the empty building for several years. In 1993 the sculpture was sold and now resides at the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum is an art museum that focuses on the life and works of sculptor Marshall Fredericks. The museum is affiliated with Saginaw Valley State University, and is located in university's Arbury Fine Arts Center in University Center, Michigan. Admission is...
at Saginaw Valley State University
Saginaw Valley State University
Saginaw Valley State University, commonly known as SVSU, is a state university in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in the middle of Michigan's lower peninsula in the Saginaw Valley region. The university is located in Kochville Township, Saginaw County...
.
