Dallas Downtown Historic District in Dallas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Magnolia (Mobil) Building

Photographed By Kayla Harper, October 4, 2020

1. The Magnolia (Mobil) Building Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Erected in 1921-22, this building housed the offices of Magnolia Petroleum Co., later Mobil Oil Co. It was designed by Sir Alfred C. Bossom (1881 - 1965), noted British architect, and built at a cost of $4 million. The tallest structure in Dallas for almost 20 years, it reflected the city's increasing economic importance. In 1934 a revolving neon sign was placed atop the building. The "Flying Red Horse," trademark for Magnolia products, quickly became a local landmark.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1978

Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 6778.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce.

Location. 32° 46.809′ N, 96° 47.959′ W. Marker is in Dallas, Texas, in Dallas County. It is in the Dallas Downtown Historic District. Marker is on South Akard Street, on the right when traveling north. The marker is facing South Akard Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1401 Commerce Street, Dallas TX 75201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lynching in America / The Lynching of Allen Brooks (within shouting distance of this marker); Busch-Kirby Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Adolphus Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Original Site of Neiman-Marcus (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Neiman-Marcus (about 700 feet away); City of Dallas (approx. ¼ mile away); James K. Polk Record (approx. ¼ mile away); Trezevant Calhoun Hawpe (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Dallas.

Photographed By Kayla Harper, October 4, 2020

2. The Magnolia (Mobil) Building Marker

The Magnolia (Mobil) Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kayla Harper, October 4, 2020

3. The Magnolia (Mobil) Building

The Magnolia (Mobil) Building detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kayla Harper, October 4, 2020

4. The Magnolia (Mobil) Building detail

The Flying Red Horse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kayla Harper, October 4, 2020

5. The Flying Red Horse

Additional Magnolia Building sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kayla Harper, October 4, 2020

6. Additional Magnolia Building sign

The Magnolia Building hotel lobby image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kayla Harper, October 4, 2020

7. The Magnolia Building hotel lobby

Magnolia Building postcard image. Click for full size.

Postcard published by Tichnor Brothers (courtesy of the Boston Public Library), circa 1938

8. Magnolia Building postcard

"This card was given to a visitor of the Observatory Tower of the Magnolia Building. Pegasus dominates Dallas skyline over 450 feet above street"

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 13, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. This page has been viewed 644 times since then and 358 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on October 13, 2020, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. 8. submitted on October 14, 2020. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.