The John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial

Dallas certainly got a bad rap back in November 22, 1963. So, in order to help boost the city's image and show the world that Dallas really does like Democrats (sorry, had to get a little political humor in here), the JFK Memorial was erected in 1970.

The memorial was designed by architect Philip Johnson to be a cenotaph, or open tomb, intended to symbolize Kenndy's spirit. Its precast concrete walls stand 30 feet high and encase a 50 foot by 50 foot area. In the center is a marble slab carved with "John Fitzgerald Kennedy" and embossed in gold.

Outside, on the North side of the plaza, is a square, granite memorial marker engraved with:

The joy and excitement of John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s life belonged to all men. So did the pain and sorrow of his death. When he died on November 22, 1963, shock and agony touched human conscience throughout the world. In Dallas, Texas, there was a special sorrow. The young President died in Dallas. The death bullets were fired 200 yards west of this site. This memorial, designed by Philip Johnson, was erected by the people of Dallas. Thousands of citizens contributed support, money and effort. It is not a memorial to the pain and sorrow of death, but stands as a permanent tribute to the joy and excitement of one man’s life. John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s life.

A view of the memorial and "Old Red", the Dallas County Courthouse.

A view of the inside of the cenotaph.

The "memorial stone"

Another view of the inside, showing just how much of the skyline is hidden.

Close up of one of the round "Lego" decorations.

Of course, as with any architecture in Dallas, there is always bound to be some criticism. The architectural critic, Witold Rybczynski, felt that the design did not do justice to the memory of JFK, and likened the precast concrete walls to "mammoth Lego blocks."

Visit it and decide for yourself if it is a fitting tribute, or just some giant Lego blocks slapped together. No matter what, it's sure to elicit some sort of an emotion from you.