Overview

Scope and Content

Collection consists of items placed in a time capsule at the dedication of the Dallas Memorial Auditorium in September, 1957.  The time capsule was opened in 2013 by convention center staff and deposited with the Municipal Archives.

The Dallas Memorial Auditorium is a component of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, owned and operated by the City of Dallas.  The auditorium is a standalone multipurpose arena, designed by George Leighton Dahl and completed in 1957.  Dahl was responsible for the renowned Art Deco buildings at Dallas’ Fair Park, as well as many other Texas landmarks.  The main arena building is 300 feet in diameter, 105 feet high and in four levels.  There is an attached theater building with three levels.  The auditorium building is composed of 33,000 cubic yards of concrete and 800 tons of structure steel.  On its first floor, it originally had 78,000 square feet of exhibit space; adding the 21,725 feet of the main arena floor it made a total of 98,725 square feet of trade show exhibit space.

As reported in the trade magazine Concrete Construction, 

The main arena boasts several innovations in design and construction. Reinforced concrete was chosen as the structural material because estimates indicated it was most economical, required the least maintenance, and offered a heavier roof mass, an important acoustical consideration.  Complex in conception, but simplicity itself in design, the arena was built with reusable forms for the sectioned dome, for the cantilevers that support it, and for the permanent grandstand.  Repeated use of these forms reduced the total cost to about half of that estimated for a building with a full concrete or structural steel dome.

At its dedication on September 8, 1957, Dwight Eisenhower’s pastor Dr. Edward L.R. Elson lead a salute to Dallas war veterans dead and living.  A contingent of Gold Star Mothers placed wreaths just below the inscription on the front of the building at Akard and Canton Streets.   The inscription reads

To the men and women who have served their country, and in memory of those who have given their lives in her defense.

The auditorium has hosted many noted speakers, including President John F. Kennedy and Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.   The venue was once home of the Dallas Chaparrals/Texas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association, who played in Dallas from the 1967-68 season through the 1972-73 season.  The team moved to San Antonio in 1973 and became the San Antonio Spurs. 

The auditorium has played a major role in Dallas music history. On September 18, 1964, the Beatles performed their only concert in Dallas.  While on a five-city tour in the final week of 1976, Elvis Presley performed on December 28.  The concert was recorded and later released on the Follow That Dream collectors label with the title of Showtime!  On April 1, 1977, Led Zeppelin opened what would become their last American tour together in the Dallas Memorial Auditorium, their sixth time performing at the venue.  In October 1978, Queen played at the Convention Center during their US tour, and the music video for Fat Bottomed Girls was filmed at the center.  Prince had two concerts at the venue: once in 1981 and again in 2000.  Other performers who held concerts here include Madonna, James Brown, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, the Grateful Dead, Black Sabbath, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Billy Joel, Kansas, Thin Lizzy, and Elvis Costello. 

Access​

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from the Dallas Municipal Archives.  All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.  The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Citation

Dallas Memorial Auditorium Time Capsule, 1957 (Box <x>, Folder <y>), Dallas Municipal Archives

Related Material

2006-004 Public Works and Transportation Department Maps, Plans, and Drawings

Index Terms

Greater Dallas Planning Council
Dallas -- Texas -- History

Container List