While historians and the general public have renewed interest in the just-released documents about JFK’s assassination, the JFK Assassination Tour summarized the already-well-known 6+million pages of records, photos, etc., in the National Archives.
Though I have read quite a bit about JFK’s assassination, the premeditation and tragic presidential murder is a story brought to life when walking and riding past historical Texas landmarks.
The tour started at the JFK Memorial Plaza, moving through the presidential motorcade route to several sites in two hours. The exact route the president traveled that fateful day cannot be driven the same way today. There is a ‘no right turn’ sign and a few minor changes in other areas as well. Still, it was a fascinating tour, listening to the guide describe the historical relevance of key landmarks:
The location of the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, on November 22, 1963. Though forever associated with JFK’s shooting, it’s actually a city park in the historic district of Dallas.
Texas School Depository – Renamed to The Dallas County Administration Building
Fired from three different jobs, Lee Harvey Oswald was hired at The Texas School Depository in October of 1963. On November 22nd, a little over a month later, he shot President Kennedy from a sixth story window of the depository.
The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
This museum is located on the exact floor where Lee Harvey Oswald pointed his rifle at JFK. Now the Dallas County Administration Building (formerly the Texas School Book Depository), the museum overlooks Dealey Plaza. The museum details JFK’s life, assassination and his legacy. If you’re interested in the indoor tour information (The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza), click HERE.
Later in the tour, we visited the Oak Cliff neighborhood where the Oswald Rooming House is located. Oswald rented a room here for $8/week, using O.H. Lee as his name. The building is about two miles from the Texas School Book Depository. We didn’t take the short tour, but they can be arranged for those interested. Oswald only lived there from October-November 1963, but the site remains a national interest.
J. D. Tippit’s assassination site: East 10th Street
Officer J.D. Tippit was shot four times and killed by Oswald while Tippit questioned Oswald outside of his patrol car. A witness saw the entire scene, causing Oswald to flee the location and hide in the Texas Theatre.
Walking into the theatre without paying, Lee Harvey Oswald was finally arrested at this location. Oswald was first arrested for shooting J.D. Tippit, then later charged for killing President Kennedy.
The assassination of John F. Kennedy and murder of J.D. Tippit occurred on Friday, November 22, 1963. On Sunday, November 24, 1963, Oswald was killed by Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner, while Oswald was being transferred to the county jail. Ruby was sentenced to death for Oswald’s murder. While awaiting a new trial, Ruby died of illness.
The tour definitely leads guests to question the erratic personality yet perfect planning by Oswald. Jack Ruby’s involvement is also presented as a bizarre twist in an already-tragic story.
Overall, the tour was highly interesting and I’m glad we chose the outdoor version first. Next time I’m in Dallas, I’ll likely visit the sixth floor museum.
Thank you for reading.
Homepage photo source HERE
Tales from a Mid-Lifer 
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