Pettis Norman is a Dallas legend, and nothing will take away from that. But City Hall should find another way to honor him that doesn’t involve renaming the historic Houston Street Viaduct after him.
Norman, who died last year, was a tight end for the Dallas Cowboys from 1962 to 1970. He left a mark on the field and played a role in integrating hotel room assignments so players were no longer assigned by race. In addition to his time as an NFL player, he was also a civil rights leader, organizing marches in Dallas and bringing together corporate leaders to expand hiring and contracting for minorities.
Norman’s impact on Dallas will not be forgotten. However, the City Plan Commission should not endorse renaming the Houston Street Bridge, also known as the Houston Street Viaduct, between Zang Boulevard and Young Street after him. The proposal to rename the bridge will be heard by the Subdivision Review Committee today.
The viaduct is one of Dallas’ most historic public works, and its name is second nature to anyone who has been here for a minute. It was designed by Ira G. Hedrick of Kansas City and built in 1911. After the devastating Trinity River flood in 1908 that destroyed earlier crossings between Oak Cliff and downtown, the viaduct was conceived to bridge the divide. In 1909, Dallas County issued a $600,000 bond to build the bridge.
For over a decade, the Houston Street Viaduct has been a Dallas landmark, offering sweeping views of the skyline, carrying cars from downtown to Oak Cliff and welcoming occasional walkers and joggers. The bridge’s signature arches have been the subject of postcards over the years and are a quintessential part of the city’s visual identity.
In 1984, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. That designation is important, and its name shouldn’t be changed.
Honoring one Dallas legend should not require diminishing another of historical significance.
A curious fact about the viaduct is its architecture. It was designed to accommodate ocean-going vessels as part of an impossible dream to one day make the Trinity River navigable all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Of course, that never happened, but that small detail is a reminder of just how much history the viaduct holds.
Cities should be careful about renaming long-established public works like streets and bridges. Not only are new names confusing for people trying to navigate the city they have known for years, but they risk severing the connection between past and present.
Norman’s legacy is worthy of tribute, but the Houston Street Viaduct is not the right place.
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