George Dahl collection
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Creator: |
Dahl, George Leighton, b. 1894 |
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Title: |
George Dahl collection |
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Dates: | 1916-1991 |
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Abstract: |
George Dahl, one of Dallas' most prominent architects, was born in Minneapolis in 1894, of Norwegian immigrants. In 1943, Dahl founded his own company, George Leighton Dahl, Architects and Engineers, Incorporated. Creative works, correspondence, printed material, photographs, financial documentation, works of art on paper, audio recordings, and a scrapbook, document the life and work of architect George Dahl. |
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Identification: |
DAHL 1996004; 1996008
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Quantity: |
5.5 linear feet (10 manuscript boxes, 1 flat oversize) |
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Language: |
English. |
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Repository: |
Alexander Architectural Archives, University of
Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin. |
George Dahl, one of Dallas' most prominent architects, was born in Minneapolis in 1894, of Norwegian immigrants. He learned to speak English in school at age 7. After graduating from college with a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Minnesota, he received his Masters from Harvard in 1923. In 1926, he began work for the Herbert M. Greene Co. in Dallas, Texas. He became a partner in Greene's firm in 1928, and the name of the firm was changed to Herbert M. Greene, LaRoche, and Dahl and later LaRoche and Dahl after Greene passed away.
In 1943, Dahl founded his own company, George Leighton Dahl, Architects and Engineers, Incorporated. It was during his time that his career reached soaring heights. Upon his retirement in 1973, he had produced some 3,000 projects throughout the country that are estimated to be worth $3 billion. After 1973, Dahl continued to make appearances at architectural events in Dallas and lived to see his most famous project, Fair Park (1936), fastidiously restored and named a National Historic Landmark.
Dallas buildings that he designed include the Methodist Hospital, the Earle Cabell Federal Building, Owen Fine Art Center at Southern Methodist University, The Dallas Morning News building, Jesuit High School, the Dallas Public Health Center, Mrs. Baird's Bakery, and Sears on Ross Avenue. Outside Dallas, he designed 26 buildings for the University of Texas at Austin, 32 stores for Sears, Roebuck and Co. and 15 prisons for the Texas Department of Corrections. His firm also worked on projects for the Federal government, the Navy, the Bureau of Yards and Docks, Army Engineers, General Services Administration, and the U.S. Air Force. Other works include banks, office buildings, churches, department stores, schools, hospitals, stadiums, and shopping centers. He also designed, managed, and owned Gold Crest Apartments, the apartment building in which he lived until his death in July of 1987.
Dahl was active in professional organizations. He was one of the founders of the Texas Society of Architects and served as the Society's second President. Dahl was also President of AIA Dallas in 1959, and was elected to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects. He was admired by the people who worked with him. David Braden, who was a partner in the firm for which Dahl was consultant after his retirement, admiringly summed up the true legacy of his mentor, "While the public will remember his buildings, his professional colleagues will remember him as an innovator and organizer.... He spent most of his professional life pioneering activities which are now common in the profession, but which were unheard of or strenuously resisted by his colleagues at the time."
Dahl, who was survived by his wife Joan, was an active contributor to the Dallas community as well as the skyline. He provided leadership and support for numerous Dallas organizations including the Hella Temple Shrine, Louis Preister Masonic Lodge, and Scottish Rite, and the Rotary Club.
Creative works, correspondence, printed material, photographs, financial documentation, works of art on paper, audio recordings, and a scrapbook, document the life and work of architect, George Dahl. The material has been arranged into four series: Personal Papers, Professional Papers, Office Records and Project Records. The Personal Papers contain records about the life and activities of Dahl. Of note is George Dahl's correspondence and sketches to friends in the 1980's which he terms "dazzlers," and a scrapbook created by Dahl's wife, Joan, documenting the last decade of his personal life. The Professional Papers contain records related to Dahl's activities in the architectural profession. The Office Records series is primarily records created by Dahl and his company, Dahl Architects and Engineers Inc. (1948-1973). The Project Records series are largely project files, and includes photographs and drawings.
Policies Governing Use and Access
This collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before
using archival materials. As all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site, advance notice of at
least three working days is required for retrieval. Certain items may require additional time for flattening or
humidifying before they can be viewed. Access is by appointment only. Please contact the archives' reference
staff for further information.
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information
that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the
disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals without the consent of those
individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasions of privacy may
arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a
reasonable person).
The Alexander Architectural Archives operate in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and
regulations, providing unrestricted access to university records not covered by state and federal right to
privacy acts.
The Alexander Architectural Archives, The University of Texas Libraries, and The University of Texas at Austin,
assume no responsibility for infringement of literary property rights and copyright or for liability to any
person for defamation or invasion of privacy that results from a researcher's use of collections.
Researchers agree to indemnify and hold harmless The University of Texas at Austin, and their officers,
employees, and agents from and against all suits, claims, actions, and expenses arising out of use of
collections held by the libraries. Please alert staff if anything inappropriate is found during research.
Copyright interests in this collection may not have been transferred to the University of Texas. Researchers
assume full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply. Additionally,
the public use of material must be cited. See citation information below.
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This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Texas Online Catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings. |
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Persons: |
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Dahl, George Leighton, 1894- |
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Dahl, Joan (wife) |
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Braden, David (business partner) |
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Organizations: |
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Fair Park (Dallas, Tex.) |
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Greene LaRoche and Dahl: An Inventory of their Collection, 1902-1953, Alexander Architectural Archives
University of Texas Buildings Collection: An Inventory of Drawings and Papers, 1882-ongoing, Alexander Architectural Archives
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George Dahl collection, Alexander Architectural Archives, University of Texas Libraries,
The University of Texas at Austin
Sarah Hardie and Jill Wood, Fall 1999
Arrangement and finding aid edited by Donna Coates, April 2009
Other Finding Aids
Unpublished inventory in Archive.
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Portals, Doorways and Windows of France. New York, The Architectural Book Publishing Company, P. Wenzel & M. Krakow, 1925. |
Detailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.
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Series A: Personal Papers, 1949-1991 .5 linear feet, including 4 audio cassettes, 9 color photographs |
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Series Abstract |
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The Personal Papers series contains records that describe the life and of George L. Dahl, including correspondence, drawings, news clippings, oral history interviews, and a scrapbook and genealogical information collected by his wife Joan Dahl. Dahl was an active contributor to Dallas the community and papers include material about his involvement with community activities. |
box |
folder |
1 |
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Correspondence and notes, 1971-1982 |
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2 |
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Correspondence with sketches "dazzlers,"1980-1987 |
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3 |
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Scottish Rites Bodies, 1969-1989 |
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4 |
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Dallas Public Library,1980-1985 |
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5 |
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Rotary Club,1982-1988 |
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6 |
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Joan Dahl correspondence with President Ronald Reagan,1982, 1989 |
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7 |
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Joan Dahl correspondence with Ingvald Olsen regarding family genealogy, 1983-1986 |
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8 |
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"The Glover-White Story" [genealogy],undated |
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9 |
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Drawings by George Dahl given to Joan Dahl,1981-1987 |
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10 |
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Clippings,1987-1991 |
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11 |
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Clipppings, George Dahl obituaries, 1987 |
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12 |
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House expenses,1957-1964 |
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13 |
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Travel documents,1949-1969 |
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14 |
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Photographs (9 color snapshots) |
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George Dahl |
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Pires Memorial Oakland Cemetery |
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Texas Society of Architects award |
box |
folder |
13 |
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Scrapbook, "Memoirs and Bear Tracks, of Joan and GLD,"1978- |
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Audio recording: Oral History interview by Alan Mason (40 minutes), 1979 |
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Audio recording: Interview by Kenneth Ragsdale, 1978 |
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Audio recording: Funeral Service for George L. Dahl, July 20, 1987 |
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Series B: Professional Papers, 1916-1987 .6 linear feet, including 2 video cassettes, 3 audio cassettes |
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Series Abstract |
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The Professional Papers contain records related to Dahl's activities in the architectural profession. |
box |
folder |
1 |
15 |
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Resumes, 1959-1960, undated |
box |
folder |
10 |
1 |
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Selections From the Work of Herbert M. Greene, LaRoche & Dahl, Architects, Dallas, Texas, May 1935 (2 copies) |
box |
folder |
1 |
16 |
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George Leighton Dahl and his works, Volume 1, Introduction and Index,ca. 1978 |
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17 |
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Correspondence and notes, 1964-1986, undated |
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18 |
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Correspondence with David Braden, 1973-1987 |
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19 |
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Awards and recognitions, 1979, 1981 |
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20 |
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George Dahl notebooks and notes, undated |
box |
folder |
2 |
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George Dahl notebook,1916-1932 |
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Includes class notes, drawings, reference material, and personal research from University of Minnesota School of Architecture, Harvard School of Architecture and early career with Green, La Roche, and Dahl. The first page has two addresses under Dahl's name: 3125 Tremont Ave. So., Minneapolis, Minnesota and 2227 Garfield Ave. So. Loose pages in notebook are notes regarding University of Texas Building Program, 1932. |
box |
folder |
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2 |
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Pocket calendar, 1965 |
box |
folder |
14 |
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George Leighton Dahl, F.A.I.A. Selected Drawings,1966 |
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Imprinted page: "With Esteem and Affection We Present This Book To Our Conductor GEORGE LEIGHTON DAHL - December Twenty Fifth Nineteen Hundred and Sixty Six - The Musicians of George L. Dahl Inc. Architects & Engineers |
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Audio recording: Dallas Historical Society interview with George Dahl regarding the Texas Centennial Exposition of 1936, February 24, 1984 |
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Audio recording: "A Celebration of Dallas Architecture" Symposium, Adolphus Hotel, Dallas, October 30, 1985 |
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Participants include Overton Shelmire, moderator, Howard Meyer, Arch Swank, George Dahl, Larry Good, Bill Booziotes, Gary Cunningham, Frank Aldredge, and Weiming Lu. |
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Video recording: "George Dahl," WFAA-TV, 1987 |
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Video recording: "Architect George Dahl's Career," KXAS-TV,1987 |
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Series C: Office Records, ca. 1940-1973 2 linear feet |
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Series Abstract |
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The Office Records series contains records created by the architectural firm in any capacity other than the design and construction of projects. This series has office records, office brochures, project brochure books, photographs and reference material. |
box |
folder |
2 |
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LaRoche and Dahl letterhead, ca. 1937-1942 |
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4 |
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Memorandum: List of books missing from the Office Library,June 6, 1963 |
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George L. Dahl, Inc. Inventory of Furniture and Fixtures, 1963, 1971-1973 |
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6 |
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George L. Dahl Architects & Engineers, Personnel List, November 13, 1958 |
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7 |
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Letters of Recommendation, 1962-1963 |
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8 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure, 1951 |
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9 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure (No.74),1955 |
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10 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure, Hospitals and Kindred Facilities, 1958 |
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11 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure (No. 264), 1961 |
box |
folder |
3 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure, 1962 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure, ca. 1963 |
box |
folder |
12 |
8 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure, ca. 1964 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure, ca. 1966 |
box |
folder |
3 |
3 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure, Vol.1, ca. 1969 |
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4 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure, Vol.2, ca. 1969 |
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5 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure, ca. 1970 |
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6 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure,ca. 1971 |
box |
folder |
4 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure (bound),ca. 1963 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers office brochure (bound),ca. 1963 |
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Dahl, Braden, Chapman, Inc. office brochure, 1980 |
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U. S. Government Architect-Engineer questionnaire (form 251), 1973 |
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U. S. Government Architect-Engineer questionnaire (form 251), 1974 |
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6 |
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George L. Dahl Inc. brochure brief: Banks, Offices, Stores, May 1964 |
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7 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers brochure (No. 75): Banks and Office Buildings,1956 |
box |
folder |
5 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers brochure: Churches, 1958 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers brochure: Correctional Facilities, ca. 1970 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers brochure: Department and Retail Stores, undated |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers brochure: Hospitals and Medical Buildings, 1966 |
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5 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers brochure: Office Buildings (part 1 of 2), 1964 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers brochure: Office Buildings (part 2 of 2), 1964 |
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7 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers brochure: Recent Projects, ca. 1968 |
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George L. Dahl Architects and Engineers brochure brief: Retail and Commercial Buildings, ca. 1968 |
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9 |
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Stadium Design Application and Statement of Qualification [incomplete], undated |
box |
folder |
10 |
2 |
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Stadiums (part 1 of 2),1964 |
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3 |
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Stadiums (part 2 of 2), 1964 |
box |
folder |
6 |
1 |
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Brochure pages (photographs) |
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Dallas Memorial Auditorium (4 color prints, 1 b/w print) |
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First National Bank of Dallas (1 color print) |
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Southwestern Life Insurance Company, Dallas (3 color prints, 3 b/w prints) |
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Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, Florida (5 b/w prints) |
box |
folder |
6 |
2 |
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Photographs |
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Autocar Trucks (1 b/w print) |
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Braniff International Air Cargo Terminal, Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport (1 b/w print) |
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Braniff International Air Cargo Terminal (1 b/w print) |
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East Texas Sate University, Methodist Student Center, Commerce, Tex. (1 b/w print) |
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East Texas Sate University, Student Housing, Commerce, Tex. (1 b/w print) |
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Electro Parts de Matamoros (1 b/w print) |
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Hospital Addition, Odessa, Tex. (1 b/w print) |
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Hockaday School, Dallas, Tex. (1 b/w print) |
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Industrial Development, Atlanta, Ga. (1 b/w print) |
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Insuromedic Insurance Company, Dallas, Tex. (1 b/w print) |
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Methodist Hospital, Dallas, Tex. (2 b/w prints) |
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Mexia State School, Mexia, Tex. (4 b/w prints) |
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Park Cities YMCA, Dallas, Tex. (4 b/w prints) |
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Sears Roebuck & Co. Warehouse, Oklahoma City, Okla. (1 b/w print) |
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Shadybrook Schools, Recreation Building, Richardson, Tex. (1 b/w print) |
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Southern Methodist University, Teaching Facility for Fine Arts, Music, and Drama, Dallas, Tex. (1 b/w print) |
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Texas Department of Corrections, Ramsey Unit No.2 Addition (12 b/w prints) |
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Texas Prison System, Goree State Farm (2 b/w prints) |
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University of Texas, Physics Mathematics and Astronomy Building, Austin, Tex. (1 b/w print, 1 b/w negative) |
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Unidentified (6 b/w prints) |
box |
folder |
12 |
2 |
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Copy of firm brochure for Wood & Associates, Inc., Architects, Dallas, ca. 1964 |
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Series D: Project Records,1931- 2.4 lin. ft. |
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The Project Records series is largely project files and drawings. Project files may contain brochures created for the project, correspondence, contracts, clippings, drawings, reference material, and photographs. |
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D1: Project Files |
box |
folder |
11 |
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Project file box |
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Original metal filing box contains 3 x 5 inch index cards arranged by project number and alphbetically by project name. |
box |
folder |
6 |
3 |
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1001 Apartments, 1001 lake Air Drive, Waco, Tex., 1967 |
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4 |
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7519 Linwood [residence], Dallas, Tex., 1967 |
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5 |
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Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Tex., 1957 |
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6 |
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District of Columbia Stadium, Washington, DC, 1962 |
box |
folder |
12 |
7 |
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District of Columbia Stadium, Washington, DC, 1962 |
box |
folder |
6 |
7 |
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East Texas State College [letters of recommendation], Commerce, Tex., 1959 |
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8 |
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Fair Park [Texas Centennial Exposition], Dallas, Tex. ,1936 |
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9 |
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Fair Park, Dallas, Tex., Clippings, 1980-1990 |
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10 |
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Fair Park, Dallas Historical Society, 1983, 1989 |
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Includes text copy of 1984 inteview by Sarah Hunter with George Dahl as part of a project to document the artists and architects of the Texas Centennial Exposition of 1936. |
box |
folder |
6 |
11 |
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Fair Park, Friends of Fair Park, 1985 |
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12 |
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Federal Savings and Loan Association, Dallas, Tex., 1955 |
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13 |
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First National Bank, Big Spring, Tex.,1960 |
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14 |
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First National Bank, Dallas, Tex., 1961 |
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15 |
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First National Bank, Odessa, Tex., 1961 |
box |
folder |
12 |
3 |
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Forest Lane Clinic, Dallas, Tex. |
box |
folder |
7 |
1 |
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Forest Lane Development, Dallas, Tex. |
box |
folder |
10 |
4 |
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Gerontology Center for the Moody Foundation, Galveston, Tex. |
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5 |
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Gold Crest Apartments, 3601 Turtle Creek, Dallas, Tex., Sales brochure. |
box |
folder |
7 |
2 |
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Gold Crest Apartments, 3601 Turtle Creek, Dallas, Tex., Brochure. |
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3-8 |
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Gold Crest Apartments, 3601 Turtle Creek, Dallas, Tex., Inventory.1971 |
box |
folder |
8 |
1 |
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Hart Bowl [bowling alley], Dallas, Tex., 1958 |
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2 |
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Harwood and McKinney Building, Dallas, Tex., 1960 |
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3 |
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Jesuit High School of Dallas, Tex., 1959 |
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4 |
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Malek Shahr Housing Project, Isfahan, Iran, 1976 |
box |
folder |
12 |
6 |
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Medical Building, Shreveport, La., 1957 |
box |
folder |
8 |
5 |
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Miracle Mile, Texarkana, Tex., 1954 |
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6 |
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Multi-Purpose Coliseum Proposal, Oakland, Cal., 1961 |
box |
folder |
12 |
4 |
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Office and Parking Building, Block 231, Dallas, Tex. [Thomas E. Stanley Architects & Engineers, Dallas] |
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5 |
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Off-Street Parking Inventory, Dallas Central Area, A Joint Project of the Central Business District Association and Traffic Control Department, City of Dallas, June 1968 |
box |
folder |
8 |
7 |
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Omaha Bank, 1967 |
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8 |
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Royal Lane Apartments, Dallas, Tex., 1971 |
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9 |
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Singer Sewing Machine Company, 6101 Cedar Springs, Dallas, Tex., 1971 |
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10 |
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Sunset Center, Amarillo, Tex., 1956 |
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11 |
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Terminal Warehouses, Theran, Iran, 1976 |
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12 |
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Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Terrell State Hospital Project Analysis, Terrell, Tex., 1970 |
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13 |
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Texas Radiation and Tumor Institute. Maxfield Clinic Additions, Dallas, Tex. |
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14, 15 |
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United States Air Force, Proposal for Lunar Shelter, 1961 |
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16 |
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United States Department of State. Presentation to the Office of Foreign Buildings (copy 1), 1962 |
box |
folder |
9 |
1 |
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United States Department of State. Presentation to the Office of Foreign Buildings (copy 2), 1962 |
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2 |
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United States, NASA, Team Concept for Construction of Saturn Launch Facilities (part 1 of 2) |
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3 |
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United States, NASA, Team Concept for Construction of Saturn Launch Facilities (part 1 of 2) |
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4 |
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United States Navy Department,1948 |
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5 |
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Venzuela Projects,ca. 1960s |
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6 |
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Waco Center, A Regional Shopping Area, Waco, Tex.,1966 |
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7 |
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A World in Space [restaurant], Dallas, Tex., 1963 |
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Series D2: Drawings, 1931, 1932, 1937 5 sheets |
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Project name: University of Texas. Chemistry Building. Date on drawings: 1931 Primary archt/firm: Herbert M. Greene LaRoche and Dahl |
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Austin |
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Travis |
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Tex. |
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U.S. |
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Project name: University of Texas. Engineering Building. Date on drawings: 1932 Primary archt/firm: Herbert M. Greene LaRoche and Dahl Collaborators: Paul P. Cret, Consulting Architect |
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Austin |
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Travis |
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Tex. |
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U.S. |
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Project name: University of Texas. Geology Building. Date on drawings: 1932 Primary archt/firm: Herbert M. Greene LaRoche and Dahl |
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Austin |
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Tex. |
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Tex. |
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U.S. |
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Project name: University of Texas. Library Building (Main Building and Tower). Date on drawings: 1932 Primary archt/firm: Herbert M. Greene LaRoche and Dahl Collaborators: Paul P. Cret, Consulting Architect |
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Austin |
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Travis |
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Tex. |
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U.S. |
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Project name: University of Texas. Medical Laboratory Building. Date on drawings: 1937 Primary archt/firm: Herbert M. Greene LaRoche and Dahl |
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Galveston |
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Galveston |
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Tex. |
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U.S. |
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