Overview

​Scope and Content

Collection contains a pamphlet and a photograph donated to the Dallas Municipal Archives by George Potter.

The pamphlet dates from the 1930s and was released by WRR promoting its WRR Jefferson Hotel location.  In 1926, WRR moved from the Adolphus Hotel to the Jefferson Hotel, which stood across the street from Union Station and catered to travelers.  WRR broadcasted at 630 kilohertz from the Paradise Studio on the Roof Garden of the Jefferson.  

In the photo, WRR's John Thorwald (right) broadcasts from the Arlington Downs Racetrack (Arlington, Texas) after a win in 1936 by Indian Salute, a five-year old horse ridden by Leroy Pierson (left) and owned by ZE McGregory.  Thorwald joined WRR in 1924 and handled production, sales, management, entertainment, and technical aspects of WRR.  Remaining with the station for fourteen years, Thorwald focused on his role as the director of WRR and was either behind or in support of multiple radio firsts in Dallas and the southwest.  He initiated public service announcements for the police department for stolen cars, missing persons, and other crimes.  He aided Henry Garrett in setting the police up w communication equipment in squad cars and encouraged WRR’s sports coverage.  In 1927, Thorwald was appointed a goodwill ambassador by Texas Governor Dan Moody for a broadcast to 50 US cities on Christmas Eve from Nuevo Leon, Mexico.  Another unusual program from Thorwald was a radio show from 600-feet underground set up to dedicate a cavern near Austin, Texas. 

Organization

NA

Access​

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future 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

George Potter WRR Photograph and Pamphlet Collection, 1925-1936 (Box <x>, Folder <y>), Dallas Municipal Archives

Related Materials

Collection 1991-024 WRR Municipal Radio, 1921-2020
2002-006—WRR Audiotape, 1991-1998
Collection 2021-006—Inez and Pete Teddlie WRR Collection

Index Terms

Dallas -- Texas -- History
Radio broadcasting -- Texas -- Dallas
WRR-AM (Radio Station: Dallas, Tex.)
WRR-FM (Radio Station: Dallas, Tex.)

Container List​