Thanks-Giving Square

"Thanksgiving Square is an area set aside by The City of Dallas for multi faiths to gather and meditate, pray or reflect on the blessings that life has bestowed or promises to offer. That’s an impressive task- setting aside valuable real estate to give thanks. I can imagine that early talks might have suggested building Thanks-Giving Square outside of the Dallas Downtown area where land is cheap and parking can be found. But some one had their head on straight and they reasoned- the down town area is the heart of Dallas and it’s appropriate to place Thanksgiving Square in the heart of the downtown area. Well done I say. The “Square” really strikes me as a park. There is a chapel, a reflection pool, areas for rest in way of benches and a display of flags with bells that sound off at varying times. When I was young the square drew in young couples and the occasional business man on lunch break. It was well kept and well regarded. Some public events would be held there and the local tv news outlets regularly reported from there as a trendy broadcast. Today you will find the square to be a sometimes haven for the homeless and the shiftless. Marijuana and alcohol odors along with some bathroom smells are not unusual at all. I’m not a person who really tolerates scofflaws, my nature is very outspoken - so you might imagine the degree of joy and dissonance I experience at Thanksgiving-Giving Square. I had unofficial Aunts who participated in my childhood and independently they brought me to this place when I was a young boy and gave me a sense of reverence. At the same time my dad would take me to a bar called BJ’s on Columbia Avenue so you might well imagine the mixed messages I pondered growing up. But Thanks-Giving Square is a notable fixture in my mind. The main chapel has an incredibly unusual architecture style called a ziggurat (rhymes with cigarette, which is appropriate because you can quickly spy discarded cigarette’s on the grounds everywhere here). So the Ziggurat is an ancient Mesopotamian structure - low at the base and high at a point. A wide road like ramp leads in circular fashion from the ground to the top. It has to be wide by design so that they could drive oxen that pulled a wagon with the building materials. At the very tip top was a Celestial Viewing platform because early man were really really into stargazing. They had some Zoroastrian influences coupled with astronomical deity worship. Now if I lost you, here’s the interesting part … most historians theorize that the Tower of Babel was a ziggurat. Get that? Thanks-Giving Square is probably shaped like the Tower of Babel! I don’t know what’s at the tip top of the chapel at Thanks-Giving Square, my hunch is that only VIPs get to go up there but I really doubt that it’s a star gazing platform, or as the Bible suggests a focal point to challenge God and the catalyst for multiple languages. No I think 20th Century values in the greatest state of the union probably have something more grounded at the top. Besides if Texans are gonna promote stargazing - it’s gonna be LoneStarGazing! Pretty punny?"

"What a cool spot in the heart of the city. The chapel is wonderful and the water feature is so relaxing on the grounds. Highly recommend a visit when in Dallas"

"Visited for a meditating experience, suggested to visit on a non busy week-day. It's also a good photo op place in Dallas downtown. Parking is a challenge here especially if visiting on a holiday hence we planned on a weekday. There's no accessibility parking option as well. But there are parking garage nearby. Entire architecture is awesome and sat within building for almost 30mins with calm atmosphere. Have a peaceful visit."

"Beautiful, peaceful place in downtown Dallas. There's an air-conditioned chapel with beautiful stained glass and places to sit. I especially liked the opportunity to fill out an "I'm thankful for " card and hang it on the wall. It lifted my spirits as I am missing my mom who passed away a month ago. The outdoor water sculpture and quotes from different religions and cultures are very nice."

"REALLY a cool place!! Only gave it a 4 because there were a couple of pot smokers dudes hanging around which made it feel somewhat unsafe. But in terms of beauty and meaning, this place is definitely a 5/5. The chapel is so meaningful. Definitely worth it to go in, look around, and read about the meaning. I including some pictures of it and the plaque that explains meaning. Can also add things you’re grateful for to a gratitude board!! The stained glass is awe inspiring."