Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Dealey Plaza & the Grassy Knoll
(light rail West End)
Now a National Historic Landmark, this rectangular park is south of the
former Book Depository. Dealey Plaza was named in 1935 for George Bannerman Dealey,
a longtime Dallas journalist, historian and philanthropist. It was given a major update in
2013 for the 50th anniversary of the assassination.
The grassy knoll is the hillock that rises from the north side of Elm St to the edge of the
picket fence separating Dealey Plaza from the railroad yards. While some witnesses to the
assassination claim shots came from this area, investigators found only cigarette butts and
footprints on the knoll after the shooting. The House Select Committee on Assassinations,
investigating from 1976 to 1978, concluded via acoustical analysis that a sniper did fire
from behind the picket fence but missed. That bolstered the belief that Kennedy's assas-
sination was part of a conspiracy. We may never know the truth.
PARK
Kennedy Memorial
(646 Market St)
You can pay your respects here to the fallen ex-president. Designed by archi-
tect Philip Johnson, the roofless room with a view of the sky and the carved words 'John
Fitzgerald Kennedy' is a cenotaph, or open tomb, meant to evoke a sense of the freedom
that JFK epitomized.
MONUMENT
Old Red Museum
MAP
MUSEUM
GOOGLE MAP
( 214-745-1100;
www.oldred.org
;
100 S Houston St; adult/child $8/5; 9am-5pm)
The 1892 Old Red
Courthouse that houses this museum is almost as interesting as the museum's interactive
exhibits on Dallas county history. Entry includes a building tour (daily, call for times).
Thanks-Giving Square
MAP
SQUARE
GOOGLE MAP
( 214-969-1977;
www.thanksgiving.org
;
bounded by Bryan St, Pacific Ave & Ervay St; buildings 9am-5pm
Mon-Fri, from 10am Sat & Sun)
For all its din, drive and shopping malls, Dallas has a sur-
prisingly quiet side - a triangular piece of prime downtown real estate set aside for spiritu-
al renewal and reflection. Thanks-Giving Square was established by the Thanks-Giving
Foundation as a 'place where people can use gratitude as a basis for dialogue, mutual un-
derstanding and healing.'
