The story
The Dallas Public Library used the site at Harwood and Commerce from 1901, when the Carnegie library opened with 9,852 volumes. Andrew Carnegie gave $50,000 for the building. Its second floor held the city's first public art gallery. By the 1950s it was crowded and deteriorating, and it was demolished in 1954.
George Dahl designed the replacement in mid-century modern style. Construction ran from 1954 to 1955 and cost $2.5 million, and it opened in September 1955. Harry Bertoia's metal screen drew harsh criticism from Mayor R.L. Thornton, who called it a bunch of junk painted up. The library moved to the Jonsson Central Library in 1982, and the building sat vacant for years. The Dallas Morning News moved its headquarters in during December 2017.
What's There Now
It is the headquarters of The Dallas Morning News.
Everything that was here
- 1955–1982
Old Dallas Central LibraryMuseum
A George Dahl library that replaced the 1901 Carnegie building and later became the Dallas Morning News headquarters.
See the map in 1956 → - 1901–1954
Carnegie LibraryMuseum
Opened October 22, 1901, at Harwood and Commerce; Mrs. Henry Exall requested the Carnegie grant.
See the map in 1902 →
Did you know?
Nearby history
Dallas Grand Hotel
Joske's
Majestic Theatre
Neiman Marcus Downtown Flagship
Vitagraph / Warner Bros. building (Robert Johnson sessions)
Wilson Building
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