West End in Allen in Dallas County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Shadow Lines by Shane Allbritton and Norman Lee
Collection of the City of Dallas Public Art Program
| | October 2023 | |
Photographed by James Hulse, July 17, 2026
1. Shadow Lines by Shane Allbritton and Norman Lee Marker
Shadow Lines interlaces elements of shadow, light, time, and memory. Composed of a semicircular wall of weathered steel on a circular concrete plaza, the memorial creates a serene place for reflection and commemoration. Like a gnomon on a sundial, an upwardly angled form casts linear shadows onto the plaza.
Unlike a typical sundial that marks hours of the day, here the shadows mark the dates of victims of racially motivated lynchings and hangings in Dallas County from 1853 to 1920. The arched wall is divided by vertical cuts, as if the shadows have sliced through it, like the lives cut short by racial violence. The wall is inscribed with the names and ages of victims. Every year on the anniversary date of each victim's death, the morning sun casts a shadow on the victim's name.
The work is a monumental sculptural timeline that captures Dallas County's history of racial violence. The plaza ground shadows convey Dr. George Keaton's hope that "The memorial will be a reverent reminder that lynchings happened on the ground we walk on every day."
Etched on the wall is the poem "Here," by Tim Seibles, one of America's foremost Black poets. Seibles is the former Poet Laureate of Virginia and fellow of the National Endowment for the Arts. An alumnus of Southern Methodist University, Seibles lived in Dallas for over two decades.
Dr. George E. Keaton, Jr. (19562022)
An educator, historian, community leader and activist, Dr. George E. Keaton, Jr. was a fierce proponent of historic and cultural preservation in the African American community in Dallas. He was the founder and executive director of Remembering
this page online
Dr. Keaton was an influential figure in the development of the Martyrs Park memorial. He was appointed, at Dallas City Council's request, to take part in a working group to choose a site for the memorial in 2018. Martyrs Park was chosen as the memorial location because of its poignancy and significance in Dallas history. The site was the place where Cato Miller, Patrick Jennings, and Samuel Smith were lynched on July 24, 1860. Dr. Keaton's research expanded the vision for the park, increasing the scope of the memorial project.
Dr. Keaton led efforts to acknowledge and document the lives of prominent figures in the African American community, as well as those who suffered racial terror, lynchings and injustice. Through his organizations Remembering Black Dallas Inc. and Dallas County Justice Initiative, he worked tirelessly to honor these victims by installing many state and national markers throughout the city to commemorate their lives.
A man of action, Dr. Keaton's favorite quote reflected his philosophy on advocacy and activism, "If we don't do it, who will...and if not now, when?"
Erected by City of Dallas.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is July 24, 1860.
Location. 32° 46.722′ N, 96° 48.625′ W. Marker is in Allen, Texas, in Dallas County. It is in West End. It is on Commerce
Photographed by James Hulse, July 17, 2026
2. Shadow Lines by Shane Allbritton and Norman Lee Marker
The marker in front of the memorial.
Regionally, this marker is in the Prairies & Lakes Region and in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan Area. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jane Elkins (a few steps from this marker); Shadow Lines (within shouting distance of this marker); Fire and Lynchings of 1860 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Triple Underpass (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Grassy Knoll (about 500 feet away); Abraham Zapruder (about 500 feet away); Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark (about 500 feet away); John Neely Bryan / Margaret Beeman Bryan (about 600 feet away).
More about this marker. There is no parking at Martyrs Park. The best option is to park near The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and walk west along Elm Street to the park. Paid parking is available adjacent to the museum.
Photographed by James Hulse, July 17, 2026
3. Shadow Lines
Credits. This page was last revised on September 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 14 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 8, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
