 INFORMATION - ATTRACTIONS - BUILDINGS & MUSEUMS - HISTORY |
Automobile Building
Established: 1946
| Building Information | ||
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| Address |
1010 First Ave. Dallas, TX 75210 |
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| Phone Number | N / A | |
| Type | Exhibit Building | |
| Admissions | N / A | |
| Hours | N / A | |
| Constructed | 1946 | |
| Renovation(s) | 1986 | |
| Size | 84,500 ft² | |
| 1946 Cost | $1,600,000 USD | |
| Former Name(s) | N / A | |
| No Website | ||
| Current Use(s) |
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· Auto Shows · Concerts · Traveling Exhibits |
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- Sister building to the Centennial Building.
- Originally built in 1922 as the Automobile Building, a place to showcase the newest line of cars available, a State Fair of Texas tradition since 1922. The original building had its main entrance located along what is now today 1st Ave. The building was expanded and remodeled in 1936 by George Dahl for the Texas Centennial. The building's facade and interior was expanded so it spanned the entire 1000-foot length of the Esplanade. The building also featured 3 large porticos with Carlo Ciampaglia murals and the Raoul Josset statues nestled in the niches of the porticos. - In 1942, the original Automobile Building caught fire and burned the entire complex. The 1922 building and 1936 addition were completely destroyed along with the porticos and murals. The statues survived however. After the fair was cancelled for the 1943, 1944 and 1945 season due to World War II, there was no money for rebuilding of the building. In 1946, the building was reconstructed in time for the annual State Fair of Texas. The building was redesigned to model the original design of George Dahl's 1936 addition, however the porticos were not rebuilt. In 1986, for the Texas Sesquicentennial, the large porticos were rebuilt and new murals were painted inside true to the original designs. - Today the building still serves it's original purpose and is the main draw of over 3 million visitors to the largest auto show in the Southwest. The statues in front of the building still stand proudly as they did in 1936. The statues represent the other 3 countries that ruled Texas: The USA, Republic of Texas and France. |
| Current Photos | |
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