Dallas Downtown Historic District in Dallas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Formerly The Texas School Book Depository Building
In 1937 the Carraway Byrd Corporation purchased the property. Later under the direction of D.H. Byrd, the building was leased to a variety of businesses, including the Texas School Book Depository.
On November 22, 1963, the building gained national notoriety when Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly shot and killed President John F. Kennedy from a sixth floor window as the Presidential motorcade passed the site.
Erected 1980 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6895.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #35 John F. Kennedy series list. A significant historical date for this entry is November 22, 1963.
Location. 32° 46.779′ N, 96° 48.493′ W. Marker is in Dallas, Texas, in Dallas County. It is in the Dallas Downtown Historic District. Marker is at the intersection of Elm Street (State Highway 354) and North Houston Street (State Highway 354) on Elm Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 411 Elm Street, Dallas TX 75202, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Welcome to Dealey Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to Dealey Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); John Neely Bryan and Margaret Beeman Bryan (within shouting distance of this marker); Dealey Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Kennedy Assassination Route (within shouting distance of this marker); Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark (within shouting distance of this marker); Abraham Zapruder (within shouting distance of this marker); Dallas County Criminal Courts Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dallas.
Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia entry for John Neely Bryan. John Neely Bryan is considered the founder of Dallas. (Submitted on January 10, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
2. The Handbook of Texas entry for Maxime Guillot.
(Submitted on January 10, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Additional commentary.
1. The use of the word "allegedly" on the marker.
Difficult to read for some people, on this marker, is the use of the word "allegedly" in the last paragraph. It states: "...Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly shot and killed President John F. Kennedy..." reportedly because there was no trial. The nearby Sixth Floor Museum also uses the word allegedly.
The historical marker for police officer J.D. Tippit, 3 miles away, notes he was "murdered" by Lee Harvey Oswald. No mention of allegedly, despite there also being no trial.
As a corollary we do not say John Wilkes Booth "allegedly" murdered Abraham Lincoln. Booth also did not have a trial.
— Submitted February 19, 2019, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 6,872 times since then and 1,474 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 10, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 2, 3. submitted on April 17, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on June 14, 2011, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 10, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 8. submitted on January 10, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.