A Bird’s-Eye View to the North
by Paula Bosse
As the crow flies… (click for much larger image)
by Paula Bosse
This is a great view, produced by the Fairchild Aerial Survey Co., taken sometime between 1925 (when the Ferris Plaza waiting station was built) and 1934 (when the land between the Trinity and the courthouse began to be cleared to begin construction of the “million-dollar project” which would eventually be known as Dealey Plaza and the Triple Underpass).
UPDATE: Brian Gunn posted this fantastic now-and-then overlay on the Dallas History Guild Facebook page. I love this. Thank you, Brian!
These images are huge. Click ’em!
UPDATE #2: Such participation from Flashback Dallas readers! Eric Hanson has now animated Brian Gunn’s overlay. Watch Dallas shoot up! Thank you, Eric! (Click GIF to see it slightly larger.)
***
Sources & Notes
Photo found on eBay.
*
Copyright © 2017 Paula Bosse. All Rights Reserved.
Flashback : Dallas 
Any idea of what the numbers are – what buildings ?
LikeLike
I’m not sure. There’s more on the Fairchild Aerial Survey photos here: https://sites.smu.edu/cdm/cul/mav/
LikeLike
Also – trying to date this photo by looking for other buildings : Praetorian (1909) I dont see, but maybe out of the photo to the right; the Medical Arts Building (1922), With the Union Station opening in 1916, Id say this is between 1916 and 1922
LikeLike
On the upper right edge of the photo you can see the YMCA building on Ervay which was completed in 1931: goo.gl/k8SBUj
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this one. For years I’ve remembered a RR control tower on the south side of Union Terminal. I thought it was by the Houston St. Viaduct but it didn’t show in pictures. Now I see that it was beside the streetcar trestle.
LikeLike
I’ve seen that in other photos and have wondered what that thing was. What did it do, Bob?
LikeLike
It was the switch control for the multiple tracks into the Union Station from the south. The one behind the School Book Depository controlled the switches from the north.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I’m thinking of something else: the tall, thin structure that looks like a smokestack. south of Union Station.
LikeLike
That was the power plant for the station. It was right beside the bridge and next to the Railway Express docks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, thank you!
LikeLike
Thanks to Brian Gunn, I’ve added his now-and-then image as a helpful guide.
LikeLike
Hi Paula!
What a great photo this is. It makes a nice addition to my own collection of old Dallas photos….
http://kennedy-photos.blogspot.com/2012/11/kennedy-gallery-270.html
Oddly, it looks to me as if the TSBD/Rock Island building has only 6 floors. But if the picture is from the 1925-1934 period, the building definitely would have 7 floors.
Perhaps the 1st floor can’t be easily seen. Maybe it’s being blocked by other buildings in front of it. (Ya think?) ~shrug~
Anyway, thanks for finding yet another great old Dallas photo. It’s a beauty.
Regards,
David Von Pein
LikeLike