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The
Magnolia Building (or at least Pegasus on top) has become the icon
of the city - despite recent glitzy competitors. A reporter once
described the Magnolia as "a great peg driven into the ground holding
Dallas in its place."
The Magnolia
Petroleum Company logo, the red, winged horse was hoisted into place
in June of 1934 - midway through the Great Depression. Pegasus was
first white - the way it appeared on early company signs. The sign
revolved 1.3 times per minute and contains 1,162 feet of glass tubing.
It was said to be visible to pilots from Hillsboro and some claimed
to have seen it from Waco.
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A
closeup of the Magnolia Building at night
TE Postcard Archives |
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The
Magnolia Building at night (hand-tinted)
TE Postcard Archives |
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The 29-story
building became the tallest in Dallas
when it was completed in 1922. It towered over the 16-story Adolphus
hotel across the street and was the 16th tallest in the U.S. (the
4th tallest if NYC buildings weren't included).
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Left
- The Hilton Hotel Dallas
Right - The Magnolia Building before Pegasus arrived in 1934
TE Postcard Archives |
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Buildings
in the 20s were greatly influenced by NYC architecture. In New York,
a city ordinance demanded setbacks to provide natural light. The
English-born architect Alfred Bossom was a NYC architect.
The Dallas Hilton Hotel built in the early 1920s bears a
strong resemblance to the Magnolia Building since both display what
is called a flying segmental arch. The arch on the Magnolia building
spans the 17th floor. A mural in the Texas Hall of State shows "Father
Texas" embracing the Magnolia Building (and others).
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The
Magnolia Building
TE Postcard Archives |
When
it first opened, The Magnolia Building had 7 elevators, 500 offices
and 1,700 telephones. The cost was an estimated $4 million - roughly
the cost of the Art Deco Louisiana Capitol in Baton Rouge.
It sits on four acres of real estate and 2 three-story wings insured
no other buildings would come within 20 feet.
Feb., 2003
© John
Troesser |
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