Lee Harvey Oswald Rooming House


The house at 1026 N. Beckley Street in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, Texas was the temporary residence of Lee Harvey Oswald at the time of the assassination of United States President John F. Kennedy. Oswald rented a room at this house for $8 a week, beginning October 14, 1963, under the name O.H. Lee. The building is located approximately 2 miles from the Texas School Book Depository, where Oswald began working on October 16.

History

Built in 1935, the three-bedroom home was bought by Mrs. Gladys Johnson in 1943. It is currently owned by Mrs. Johnson's granddaughter, Patricia Hall, who has opened the home to the public and offers tours.

Kennedy assassination

Beginning October 14, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald rented a small room in the Johnson house for $8 a week. He slept there on weeknights, and went back on weekends to suburban Irving, Texas, to be with his wife. On the date of the assassination, November 22, Oswald returned to his room immediately after shooting President John F. Kennedy from a sixth floor window of the Texas School Book Depository. According to housekeeper Earlene Roberts, Oswald entered the home in a "hurry", grabbed a light jacket and remained in the home only three to four minutes and left on foot. Oswald didn't make any comment to Earlene when she told him about the assassination of JFK, which was now all over the news and on TV.
Shortly thereafter, Oswald was confronted by Dallas Police officer J.D. Tippit near the intersection of 10th and Patton. After exchanging a few words, Oswald fatally shot Officer Tippit and was later arrested a short time later at the Texas Theater.