Commentary: Make homeless mission a Robert Johnson museum

by Rick Yost

The homeless shelter where Robert Johnson made his magic.

DOWNTOWN DALLAS — The homeless mission downtown on Park is in the building that once housed the studio where the legendary bluesman, Robert Johnson recorded one of his too few, yet influential albums. Most folks would recognize such big names as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Eric Clapton -- they were all influenced by this man’s music. And he recorded a good portion of it right here in our hometown.

To blues music fans, this building is a shrine. To the folks who live or own businesses downtown, the mission is a source of crime and negativism in the minds of potential visitors to the downtown area. Why not move the mission to a location outside of downtown, let’s say…the Harry Hines area. Then develop a Robert Johnson Museum in the original building where his famous recordings were done.

Any other big city in America would have already incorporated this great piece of local cultural lore into its cultural points of interest. Using the Robert Johnson Museum as a cornerstone, this could really turn into something even bigger.

There is enough local blues and jazz history, and more than enough superb blues and jazz musicians in this town- if done right, Dallas has the potential to be a true mecca for blues and jazz. Now that could revitalize Dallas- having an active, thriving, cultural Downtown that’s known world-wide for its fine blues and jazz entertainment.

I’m seriously interested in taking action on this idea but I don’t know how to proceed. Suggestions are welcome.

This story was submitted by a member of the Pegasus News community. Rick is a local musician, and with his wife Tracy, the proprietor of Pearl at Commerce.

Staff
Verified User
Anonymous

Alan Cohen, says:

Staff

2 years, 5 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

bluesdfw, says:

Actually, the Stew Pot is across the street at 408 in the old Otis Elevator Building, not in 508 Park Avenue. The building housing The Stew Pot is owned by the church group that operates it. They want to be downtown, not somewhere else.

http://www.thestewpot.org/

There was never an actual studio in 508 Park. All they did was move some boxes around and set up their portable recording equipment. That was the Vocalion Records warehouse and held film vaults for Vitaphone Pictures plus the offices of Don Law.

The building is owned by the Glazer family. In fact, they own the entire block on that side of the street. The inside of the building is a wreck. It was built out as modular offices in the 50s complete with green shag carpet, wood paneling and acoustic ceiling tiles. The indigents have stripped out most of the copper wiring and plumbing. The basement was full of water. when I was last inside (7 or 8 years ago).

To make a museum there, you are talking about millions to acquire the property, plus millions to bring the building up to code, then you have to have exhibits to show, security, advertising, and a museum staff. All that assuming you can move the Stew Pot.

Every few months I get e-mails or phone calls from people wanting exactly what you have proposed, or at least wanting to put up a monument in front of the building. I tell them anything erected outside would be stolen or defaced within days. Several groups in the last few years have made a start on trying to buy or lease the building but have given up after they learned more about the situation. Economically, it will never happen. Not unless some billionaire is willing to foot the bill.

The sad fact is, Dallas traditionally does not give a crap about its history. The city recently ripped up the Texas mosaic near the Kennedy Memorial for a parking lot and the replica John Neely Bryan cabin is now in storage somewhere. Let's all go look at the big TV screens at Victory Park!!

As nice as it would be to have something appropriate happen with that building, chances are it will never happen. However I think Robert Johnson would feel right at home seeing all the homeless folks camped out on the sidewalk.

The bottom line is that Robert Johnson's legacy is his music, not some run down old building. He just visited Texas a few times, cut some records, then left. I'm still waiting for a statue of Freddie King.

Anonymous

2 years, 5 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

samc, says:

For some time there has been discussion of placing a Texas!Music Center at Fair Park in the building that housed the Hall of Religion at the 1936 Texas Centennial Celebration. Their website is www.texasmusiccenter.org. Perhaps they might be able to help with donors/information. I would like to let the previous poster, bluesdfw, know that some folks in Dallas do care about their history. Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture has been open for a month in the restored 1893 courthouse. Also the John Neely Bryan cabin (none of which is original---it was built for the 1936 Centennial Celebration as well) has been once again placed on Elm Street at Market Street, and the "Texas mosaic" that was removed for a parking garage was actually a mosaic of Dallas County that had been there for 30 years and was completely falling apart. It was an eyesore.

Anonymous

2 years, 5 months ago
Link to this comment | Suggest removal

DC, says:

Until the city puts some real police out on the street and the homeless have some sort of real overnight shelter, what's the point?

Where should all of these supposed music lovers park their cars? Maybe the guys on Evergreen could valet them!

In any case, the Stew Pot is one of the few positive organizations trying to actually do something to improve the lives of the poor and homeless in downtown rather putting up overpriced condos. Suggesting they move for a niche museum that noone goes to doesn't sound like it is going to solve any of our downtown problems.

I'd say put your efforts into working with rather than against one of the few charities trying to work with the downtown homeless. Moving the mission to Harry Hines isn't going to move the homeless, just leave them with fewer services.