Lee Harvey Oswald Rooming House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lee Harvey Oswald Rooming House |
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| General information | |
| Location | 1026 N. Beckley Avenue, Dallas, Texas |
| Coordinates | 32°45′20″N 96°49′22″W / 32.7556672°N 96.822885°W |
| Construction started | 1935 |
The house at 1026 N. Beckley Avenue in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, Texas, was a temporary home for Lee Harvey Oswald. This was at the time of the tragic events involving U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Oswald rented a room here for $8 a week, starting on October 14, 1963. He used the name O.H. Lee.
This house is about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the Texas School Book Depository. That is where Oswald began working on October 16, 1963.
Contents
History of the House
Building and Ownership
This three-bedroom house was built in 1935. Gladys Johnson bought it in 1943. Today, the house is part of the Lake Cliff historic district. This means it is an important old building.
A Museum Today
Gladys Johnson's granddaughter, Patricia Hall, has worked to keep the house special. She has restored Oswald's bedroom to look like it did in 1963. The living room also looks the same as it did when Johnson's housekeeper, Earlene Roberts, was interviewed there. Since 2009, Patricia Hall has opened the house for tours. It is now known as the Oswald Rooming House Museum. Visitors can learn about the house's history.
Events of November 22, 1963
Oswald's Stay at the House
Starting on October 14, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald rented a small room in the Johnson house. He paid $8 each week. He stayed there during the week. On weekends, he would go to Irving, a nearby suburb. His wife and children lived there.
After the Events in Dallas
On November 22, 1963, after the events at the Texas School Book Depository, Oswald returned to his room. According to the housekeeper, Earlene Roberts, Oswald came into the house very quickly. He grabbed a jacket and left on foot just a few minutes later. Earlene told him that President Kennedy had been shot, which was already on the news. Oswald did not say anything back to her.
Later Events
Soon after leaving the house, Oswald was approached by Dallas Police officer J. D. Tippit. This happened less than 1 mile (1.6 km) from the house. After a brief exchange, Officer Tippit was fatally shot. A short time later, Oswald was arrested at the Texas Theatre.
See Also
- Ruth Paine Home, the house in Irving where Oswald stayed the night before the events of November 22, 1963, with his wife.
