Dealey Plaza was built on land donated by Dallas businesswoman and philanthropist, Sarah Horton Cockrell. It is the location of many firsts in the city and is regarded by many as the “birthplace of Dallas”.It was the site of the first home, first courthouse, post office, store and fraternal lodge.

Construction on Dealey Plaza was completed in 1940 as part of a Works Progress Administration project in Franklin Roosevelt's “new deal”. It is located at the point where Elm Street, Main Street and Commerce Street converge at the triple underpass. The plaza was named after George Bannerman Dealey, who was a civic leader and early publisher of the Dallas Morning News. Mr Dealey worked hard to see the plaza area revitalized.

Currently Dealey Plaza looks pretty much like it did in 1963, with the same signs and street lights. The building have not been updated, so the place looks pretty much like it did over sixty years ago. The Sixth Floor Museum occupies the 6th and 7th floor of the Texas School Book Depository Building and can be access by way of the visitor's center next to the book depository but not visible from the plaza. While the museum is dedicated the the official myth of Oswald as the lone gunman, there are still things worth seeing and worth the visit.

In 1993. Dealey Plaza was named a National Historic Landmark and still attracts many visitors from around the country and around the world.