A Look At Some Notable Signs That Have Disappeared from Our Landscape
The Alamo Plaza Hotel Court Sign
This sign sat in front of North Oak Cliff's Alamo Plaza Hotel Courts since the 1940's. At one time, the chain motel on Fort Worth Ave was a delightful stop before entering downtown Dallas. When it closed in 2007, it was hardly a gem
In December of 2010, the motel met the wrecking ball to make room for a new development called Sylvan Thirty, which would feature loft apartments, retail and a grocery store. The developer promised that the iconic sign which was left standing would be part of the development.
Sadly, the sign was removed in April of 2013 from the site even thought the developer promised Preservation Dallas, the city staff and the Dallas Morning News that the sign would remain.
STATUS: Returned
After the sign was removed there was considerable uproar. The developer put up a website asking for suggestions with what to do with the the sign.
"We’d like for you to submit ideas for the sign’s future. We’re open to using it somewhere on our property, repurposing it, moving it somewhere else in West Dallas, donating it…nothing is off the table and all submitted ideas will be considered"
The website also added this disclaimer:
"To be clear, we have plans in development for using the sign on our site, which was our original intention. However, community members have come forward suggesting that we allow it to be used as public art to represent West Dallas and the Fort Worth Avenue corridor. As we’ve said before, we’re open to all ideas."
UPDATE On recent vist to the Sylvan Thirty development, it was discover that the developer did indeed use the sign in an imaginative public art project. different parts of the sign were refurbished and repurposed to add character to the common space.
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| The Main Portion of the sign displayed in a crush gravel courtyard |
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| The A atop the sign has it's neon refurbished and sits in this permanently parked classic Chevy truck |
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| The arrow atop the sign now points down and has had it's neon restored |
7th Street Theatre Marquee - Fort Worth
Sadly, I am surprised how quickly Fort Worth has forgotten this West Side landmark. The family owned theatre was closed and demolished in 2002. The family owned theater was known for running first run movies a few weeks after their premier at a discounted price. The ticket taker, projectionist and the concession stand operator were all of the same family, often the same person.
I always found it funny how I would often arrive at 6:55 for the 7:00 showing, only to find the movie had already started, so the family could get home early. (There was also a clock in the lobby that would indicate it was only 6:55)
The theatre closed after a family tragedy in 2001 and never reopened. The property was bought by the FPA Foundation, who tore down the theatre despite local protests. The Foundation saved the marquee and promised that it would be used in any future development.
STATUS: Unknown
The status of the FPA Foundation is unknown, so the location of the ownership of the sign is also in question. The 7th Street / University intersection has gone through massive redevelopment. A tall building with Eddie V's Restaurant sits at the location of the old theatre. The marquee has yet to be used in any of the new projects in the area and there seems to be little call to bring it back.
Casa Linda Pegasus atop the Mobile Station
One of the most iconic buildings in the Casa Linda Shopping Center in East Dallas was the Mobile Station that sat on the Northeast corner of Buckner and Garland Road. The station was torn down in 2003 and replaced with a bank .
STATUS - Saved
The iconic sign which originally was displayed at the 1939 World's Fair was saved and is now on display ay the Museum in the Old Red Courthouse.
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