DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Now, 1913 was a big year for Dallas — the city had just been named an official U.S. Port of Entry, which meant goods from far corners of the world could roll right into North Texas under the watchful eye of federal customs.
And two businessmen, B. D. Milam and E.
C. Connor, looked at that opportunity and decided Dallas needed somewhere worthy of the moment. So they built one.
What they put up wasn't just any warehouse — it was designed and built to be fireproof. In 1913, that was no small promise. They raised a reinforced concrete structure showing all the hallmarks of Chicago School-style influences — clean, serious, built to last — with metal casement window walls set into brick infill.
Not a building that apologizes for itself. And when it opened, it became the first bonded customs warehouse in Dallas. Bonded, meaning the government trusted it.
Meaning importers could hold their foreign goods inside those walls, under seal, until the paperwork was squared away and the duties were paid. Out back, a rear bay opened wide enough to swallow entire rail cars whole — freight rolling straight in from the line, no fuss, no weather, no delay. Milam and Connor had thought of everything.
Fireproof walls. Federal standing. A door big enough for a locomotive.
Dallas was open for business with the world, and this building was where that business got done.
What the marker says
Designed and built as a fireproof warehouse in 1913, this building was erected by businessmen B. D. Milam and E. C. Connor. Dallas was an official U.S. Port of Entry in 1913. This structure initially served as the first bonded customs warehouse in Dallas. Exhibiting Chicago School-style influences, the reinforced concrete structure features metal casement window walls with brick infill. A rear bay served as an entry for rail cars. RTHL - 1991