Image of the presidential limousine on Main Street
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Image of the presidential limousine on Main Street
Original 35mm black and white negative taken by Dallas Times Herald staff photographer Bill Beal. This image shows President Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie Connally, in the presidential limousine, followed very closely by a Secret Service car during the most crowded part of the motorcade on Main Street in downtown Dallas. The image was taken from a balcony at the Adolphus Hotel.
Image of the presidential limousine on Main Street
11/22/1963
Film
15/16 x 1 7/16 in. (2.4 x 3.6 cm)
Bill Beal, photographer, Dallas Times Herald Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
1989.100.0011.0011
Notice the driver's door open on the presidential limousine. This tactic was used in heavily crowded areas to move spectators farther back from the motorcade. This was necessary since, as seen in this photograph, the car stayed to the left, keeping President Kennedy as far away from the crowds as possible. This put Mrs. Kennedy, in the words of U.S. Secret Service agent Clint Hill, "in a jeopardizing position." Hill, as seen here, rode on the back of the presidential limousine whenever he felt that Mrs. Kennedy was too close to the crowds. - Stephen Fagin, Curator
This photo and the others taken from the Adolphus by Bill Beal is a remarkable photographic record for it shows people of all ages and races standing side by side waiting for that rare chance to see a president in person. Dallas Police and reporters estimated the crowd along the motorcade route was somewhere between 150-200,000 people, which was nearly half the population of the entire city of Dallas. Granted, some may have been more interested in seeing Jacqueline Kennedy than the president, but all took time out of their day to stand with others for a special moment. The Adolphus Hotel balcony was removed years ago, but the hotel, just west of the Main and Akard intersection, offered a superb view of both the motorcade and anxious Dallas residents. The assassination happened about two minutes after passing this spot. - Gary Mack, Curator
Since 1989, the Museum has recorded over 1,500 oral history interviews, many with Dallas motorcade spectators. The institution's ongoing Oral History Project continues to seek recollections on the life, death, and legacy of President Kennedy. If you recognize anyone in this photograph, or if you or someone you know caught a glimpse of President Kennedy in Dallas, please contact the Museum. - Stephen Fagin, Curator
Image of the presidential limousine on Main Street
Original 35mm black and white negative taken by Dallas Times Herald staff photographer Bill Beal. This image shows President Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, Governor John Connally and his wife, Nellie Connally, in the presidential limousine, followed very closely by a Secret Service car during the most crowded part of the motorcade on Main Street in downtown Dallas. The image was taken from a balcony at the Adolphus Hotel.
Image of the presidential limousine on Main Street
11/22/1963
Main Street
Limousine
Police
Motorcade
Photographs
Crowds
Beal, Bill
Kennedy, Jacqueline
Kennedy, John F.
Connally, John
Connally, Nellie
Dallas Times Herald
Adolphus Hotel
Secret Service
Dallas
Film
15/16 x 1 7/16 in. (2.4 x 3.6 cm)
Bill Beal, photographer, Dallas Times Herald Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
1989.100.0011.0011
Notice the driver's door open on the presidential limousine. This tactic was used in heavily crowded areas to move spectators farther back from the motorcade. This was necessary since, as seen in this photograph, the car stayed to the left, keeping President Kennedy as far away from the crowds as possible. This put Mrs. Kennedy, in the words of U.S. Secret Service agent Clint Hill, "in a jeopardizing position." Hill, as seen here, rode on the back of the presidential limousine whenever he felt that Mrs. Kennedy was too close to the crowds. - Stephen Fagin, Curator
This photo and the others taken from the Adolphus by Bill Beal is a remarkable photographic record for it shows people of all ages and races standing side by side waiting for that rare chance to see a president in person. Dallas Police and reporters estimated the crowd along the motorcade route was somewhere between 150-200,000 people, which was nearly half the population of the entire city of Dallas. Granted, some may have been more interested in seeing Jacqueline Kennedy than the president, but all took time out of their day to stand with others for a special moment. The Adolphus Hotel balcony was removed years ago, but the hotel, just west of the Main and Akard intersection, offered a superb view of both the motorcade and anxious Dallas residents. The assassination happened about two minutes after passing this spot. - Gary Mack, Curator
Since 1989, the Museum has recorded over 1,500 oral history interviews, many with Dallas motorcade spectators. The institution's ongoing Oral History Project continues to seek recollections on the life, death, and legacy of President Kennedy. If you recognize anyone in this photograph, or if you or someone you know caught a glimpse of President Kennedy in Dallas, please contact the Museum. - Stephen Fagin, Curator
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