Background
Dahl, George Leighton was born on May 11, 1894 in Minneapolis. Son of Olaf G. and Laura (Olson) Dahl.
Dahl, George Leighton was born on May 11, 1894 in Minneapolis. Son of Olaf G. and Laura (Olson) Dahl.
Bachelor of Architecture, University of Minnesota, 1921; Master in Architecture, Harvard University, 1922; student, American Academy in Rome, 1923; Nelson Robinson traveling fellow, Africa and Europe, 1922-1924.
His most notable contributions include the Art Deco structures of Fair Park while he oversaw planning and construction of the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. In 1970, in anticipation of imminent commercial growth brought on by the impending development of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, he designed the First National Bank of Grapevine building at 1400 South Main Street. This iconic cubist structure served as a harbinger of the area"s upcoming economic development.
George Dahl was born in Minneapolis to Norwegian immigrant parents, Olaf G. and Laura (Olsen) Dahl. from Harvard University in 1923.
He subsequently spent two years in Italy as a fellow at the American Academy in Rome. In 1926, he began work for the Herbert M. Greene Company in Dallas, Texas.
In 1943, Dahl founded his own company, George Leighton Dahl, Architects and Engineers, Incorporated. He was among the first Texas architects to have a nationwide practice and was among the pioneers in fast-track design, which allowed for actual construction to begin even before the design was finished.
Upon his retirement in 1973, he had produced some 3,000 projects throughout the country that are estimated to be worth $3 billion.
Dallas Projects:
Other Projects:
District of Columbia Stadium, later renamed to Robert F. Kennedy Stadium, Washington, Dc, 1962
Tanglewood Resort, Lake Texoma, 1960
Medical facilities for: Dallas Methodist Hospital, Dallas Public Health Center
Central Library for The University of Texas at Arlington
Prisons for the Texas Department of Corrections
Retail stores for Sears, Roebuck and Company
Member Dallas City Planning Advisory Committee, 1943-1945, Greater Dallas Planning Council, 1948-1956. Member Texas Board Corrections, 1950-1960. Board directors Dallas Better Business Bureau.
Past chairman executive committee Dallas National Conference Christians and Jews, Dallas Community Chest, Dallas council Boy Scouts American, Dallas chapter American Red Cross, Dallas Salvation Army, Texas Society Crippled Children, Dallas City-County Boy's Industrial Home, Dallas Civic Opera. Board directors Dallas Young Men's Christian Association 1st lieutenant United States Army, World War I. Fellow American Institute of Architects (past president Dallas). Member Texas Society Architects (past president), Society of America Military Engineers (past vice president Dallas, national director), Dallas Chamber of C., Dallas Symphony Association, Harvard Architectural Society, Dallas Art Association, Harvard Foundation Advanced Study, National Council Architectural Registration Boards, Mason, Rotary (past president), Town and Gown Club, Dallas Athletic Club, Dallas Country Club, Downtown Club, Engineers Club, Knife and Fork Club, Dallas Club, City Club, Harvard Club (Dallas), Brookhollow Club.
Married Lillie E. Olsen, September 24, 1921 (deceased April 1957). 1 child, Gloria Lille Akin.