A Dallas City Hall portrait purporting to depict former Mayor Woodall Rodgers has been identified instead as the face of a local construction magnate.

George Macatee III, 82, a friend of Rodgers who first noticed the portrait did not depict the city's mayor from 1939 to 1947, said he received a call at about 7 a.m. Wednesday from former University Park Mayor Don Houseman, who identified the man in the portrait as Henry Beck Jr.

Macatee said Houseman's theory was confirmed by the widow of Beck, who died at the age of 89 in 2007. Beck's construction firm was behind many of the most recognizable features of the Dallas skyline.

The Dallas city archivist said an investigation has been opened into the error. Beck's son, Peter Beck, said his father would likely have been amused by the mix-up. "He had a great sense of humor," Beck said. "I think he would have enjoyed this thoroughly. He's probably laughing right now."

The hard hat wasn't a giveaway then?


Wotcha mean... not me?

The original was here