What’s with the ‘White Only’ fountain in a Dallas County building?

The Dallas County Information Constructing’s historic “White Solely” signal might be rededicated subsequent week after six years in storage.

County Commissioner John Wiley Value was a number one proponent of preserving the segregation-era signal.

“In case you don’t know your historical past, you’re doomed to repeat it,” he stated in an interview.

The “White Solely” pale steel plate was rediscovered in 2003, when one other signal that had lined it fell off the wall. The signal as soon as hung above the segregation-era water fountain.

County leaders determined — after some contentious debate — to protect the signal with a historic marker.

Dallas artist Lauren Woods reworked the water fountain into an artwork set up in 2013, after Value devoted $15,000 of his personal district’s finances to fund the venture.

The water fountain-turned-artwork performs a video projection of newsreel clips displaying Civil Rights-era protests on a particular display screen, earlier than releasing water.

The Dallas County Commissioners Courtroom is holding the ceremony at 10 a.m. on Aug. 18, within the first ground foyer of the Dallas County Information Constructing at 500 Elm St.

The “White Solely” signal might be changed and will look completely different. The signal was etched into the wall, Value stated, and torn out in the course of the restoration course of. Woods has additionally up to date the video reel, Value stated.

Simply three years after the set up opened, the constructing closed for renovations, and the signal was saved whereas the six-year building venture was underway. Now, the Information Constructing homes greater than 700 county staff and the Commissioners Courtroom.

The set up is considered one of a number of historic markers positioned across the renovated constructing. The constructing as soon as housed the jail, the sheriff’s workplace and the prison courtrooms. Segregation was etched into the unique design of the Information Constructing, Value stated. A blueprint confirmed “White” and “Coloured” restrooms and water fountains.

Value, who’s Black, is the longest serving elected official in Dallas County. When he passes by the water fountain, he stated he feels a way of obligation to press ahead for change.

“I bought right here on the backs of these folks,” Value stated. “I’ve bought to remain vigilant in order that I don’t see the turning again of the fingers of time.”

Dallas’ historical past of racism-fueled segregation extends far past the Information Constructing.

Texas was the final state to formally finish slavery, on June 19, 1865 — a date now celebrated as Juneteenth.

Till 1953, the State Truthful of Texas was segregated. That yr, the State Truthful opened the halfway to all races, besides for 2 rides, The Dallas Morning Information reported. These two had been restricted as a result of there was the potential for Black and white folks to the touch one another. Truthful officers feared violence, The Information reported.

Jim Crow legal guidelines weren’t absolutely extinguished till the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, however even then, segregation was current in lots of Southern faculties till the Seventies.

With the present political local weather round college board debates like essential race idea, Value stated it’s necessary to recollect historical past. He stated the strain surrounding these racial points reminds him of the Jim Crow period.

Value stated restrictive state voting measures like limiting mail-in ballots to senior residents, no on-line registration and no same-day voter registration are designed to suppress voters. He seems like some issues haven’t modified.

“We haven’t come so far as folks want to see,” Value stated. “It’s a story of two cities, and most of us don’t acknowledge that’s the place we’re.”