The Esplanade (Reflecting Basin), 1936

George Dahl

The principle axis of the Exposition developed along the existing layout of the fairgrounds, which dated to George Kessler's City Beautiful-inspired master plan of 1904.  Dahl strengthened Kessler's formal axis by adapting existing, unrelated exhibition halls with new, monumental facades and projecting porticos on each side of a 700-foot long reflecting pool.  These porticos establish the visual framework of the Esplanade and accentuate the grand perspective leading up to the Hall of State.  Monumental artwork was deftly combined with additional site features, to complete the visually complex and awe-inspiring spectacle.  Of these secondary elements, only a pair of pylons executed by artist Pierre Bourdelle remain.  At night, the Esplanade was transformed into an ethereal vision by a bank of 24 powerful searchlights radiating from behind the Hall of State.

Credits: Excerpts taken from The American Institute of Architects Guide to Dallas Architecture, published in 1999 by the American Institute of Architects, Dallas Chapter. The editor of this book was Larry Paul Fuller. The Fair Park Introduction and entries were written by Willis Winters, AIA.

Permission to publish these excerpts was granted by The American Institute of Architects, Dallas Chapter, in October 2002.