History
Barbara Charline Jordan
(February 21, 1936 ' January 17, 1996) Barbara Charline Jordan, one of the nation's preeminent African-American orators and politicians of the 20th century, was born in Houston to Benjamin Meredith and Arlyne Patten Jordan. Her close-knit family greatly influenced her religious and moral attitudes, as well as the academic ambitions that would propel her to success.
History
Barker Post Office
The settlement that became Barker developed on the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad in the late 1890s. G. T. Miller applied for a post office in 1898. It occupied a corner of his store, which also was used as a saloon. The structure was damaged in the 1900 storm, and postmaster Miller moved it to the east side of the Barker-Clodine Road and rebuilt it. He remained postmaster until 1911.
Military
Battle of San Jacinto
At mid-afternoon April 21, 1836, two miles to the north, General Sam Houston with about 1,000 Texans in 18 minutes annihilated the 1,400-man army of Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President of Mexico. Screened by trees and rising ground, Houston's men formed with Edward Burleson's regiment at center, Sidney Sherman's on the left wing, artillery under George W.
History
Bay Ridge / Morgan's Point
The peninsula on Galveston Bay known as Morgan's Point was named for early landowner Colonel James Morgan. Later the area became a favorite summer retreat for wealthy Houston residents who sought refuge from the oppressive heat and humidity of the city. The bluff attracted Gulf breezes and boasted spectacular views and recreational potential.
History
Bayland Guards
On April 27, 1861, Dr. Ashbel Smith organized a group of volunteers from Bayland (now Baytown) and Cedar Bayou in Harris County, and Barbers Hill in Chambers County. The group, known as the Bayland Guards, drilled on Smith's Evergreen Plantation and worked in local defense of Galveston Bay.
History
Bayland Orphans Home
The Civil War shattered many families, leaving orphans, destitute widows, and children whose stepfathers were unable or unwilling to support them. Motivated by such conditions, Henry Gillette led a group who met in 1866 to form an orphanage for children of Confederate soldiers, which the Texas Legislature chartered on September 24 as "The Orphans Home at Bayland.
Museums & Art
Bayou Bend
American heritage collection in mansion built 1927 by William Clifford (1875-1930), Ima (b. 1882), and Mike Hogg (1885-1941), children of first native Texan Governor James Stephen Hogg (1851-1906) and his wife Sarah Stinson.
History
Baytown Post Office
Built in 1936-37 as the Goose Creek Post Office, this structure served as the area's main postal facility for almost fifty years. Designed by architect Louis a. Simon, the early international style building features an interior fresco mural commissioned as part of the Federal Arts Program of the Works Progress Administration.
History
Bear Creek Methodist Church and Cemetery
German immigrants settled in the area surrounding the junction of Langham and Bear creeks in the 1840s. Settlers traveled to nearby churches for Sunday services until about 1879 when seven charter members established the Bear Creek German Methodist Church. The congregation initially met in members' homes. The church was subsequently made a mission of the Rose Hill Methodist Church near Tomball.
History
Bell Prairie
Once located southwest of this site was the home of Henry Falvel Gillette (1816-1896). A native of Connecticut, Gillette came to Texas in 1840 at the urging of his cousin, Ashbel Smith. He became a noted educator in Harris, Washington, and Polk counties. He married Lucinda Maxey (1826-1901) of Washington County in 1842.
History
Bellaire
William Wright Baldwin, president of the South End Land Company, founded Bellaire in 1908 on part of the 9,449-acre ranch once owned by William Marsh Rice, benefactor of Rice Institute (now Rice University). Baldwin surveyed the eastern 1,000 acres of the ranch into small truck farms, which he named Westmoreland Farms.
History
Bellaire Streetcar Line
In 1909 the Westmoreland Railroad Company, directed by Bellaire developer William Wright Baldwin, began construction of a streetcar line between this site and Houston's Main Street (4 mi. E) to improve transportation between Bellaire and Houston. Laid out on the esplanade of Bellaire Boulevard, the streetcar line consisted of one railway track and an overhead electric wire.
Architecture
Benjamin Apartments
Completed in 1924, this apartment building is a good example of multi-family housing constructed in the south end of downtown Houston after World War I. Successful businessman Benjamin Cohen (1875-1951) hired noted Houston architect Alfred Finn to design the building. Its style is simple but reveals influences of the Arts and Crafts movement prominent at the time.
History
Beth Yeshurun Synagogue
Beth Yeshurun is the oldest continually active Conservative Jewish congregation in Texas. It has also become one of the largest Conservative congregations in the world. The synagogue's predecessors were Adath Yeshurun, an Orthodox congregation formed in 1891, and Beth El, a Conservative congregation formed in 1925.
History
Blue Triangle Branch, Y. W. C. A. Building
Blue Triangle Branch, Y. W. C. A. Building In the early 20th century, Houston's African American community wanted to provide recreational facilities for its youth and for African American troops stationed at Camp Logan. Various groups formed, including two interested in the welfare of young girls.
Architecture
Bob Harris Station
In 1893, portions of the Sam Allen Ranch developed into Pasadena. The city became an industrial center for the Houston Ship Channel during the Great Depression and World War II. In 1939, the Federal Works Agency built a new post office, later named Bob Harris Station, based on a design by Carl F. Guenther. Oyster shells were used to create the concrete mix for the building.
History
Bonin Family Cemetery
Paul Norval Bonin was born on September 2, 1814 in Fausse Pointe, Iberia Parish, Louisiana to Joseph Baron Bonin and Euphrosine Louise (Borel) Bonin. Norval married Marie Coralie Hayes in Louisiana in 1835, and in 1852, the Bonins moved with several of their children and approximately fifty other French families to North Harris County, Texas.
History
Booker T. Washington High School
Booker T. Washington High School, the first high school in Houston open to African Americans, was founded in 1893 as Colored High School, and was located in the Fourth Ward on San Felipe Street (now West Dallas Street). It served as the only high school for African American students until Yates Colored High School (Now Jack Yates High School) opened in 1926. Charles H.
History
Brill-Mueller House
In 1873, German native Johannes Brill (1832-1909) immigrated to Texas with his wife, Anna Schafer, and their daughter, Emilie. They settled near friends in the German community of Big Cypress, later known as Klein. Brill farmed his land and helped organize what is now the Trinity Lutheran Church of Spring.
Architecture
Bryan-Chapman House
Envisioning a thoroughly modern home for themselves, sisters and Houston arts community leaders Caroline Bryan Chapman (1859-1933) and Johnelle Bryan (1861-1935) had this house constructed in 1925. The home was a showplace of strong Mediterranean influences such as arched windows, multi-light doors, a Ludowici tile roof, and balconets.
Military
Camp Logan
Soon after the United States' entry into World War I in 1917, the U. S. Army established 34 training camps to prepare troops for warfare. Named for Gen. John A. Logan, Mexican War and Civil War veteran and U. S. Senator from Illinois, Camp Logan was established at this site on July 18, 1917.
History
Captain William Plunkett Harris
Early Texas entrepreneur and pioneer settler. New York native William Plunkett Harris (1797-1843) ran a steamboat line in partnership with Robert Wilson before moving to Texas in 1830. At Harrisburg, founded by his brother John Richardson Harris (d. 1829), for whom Harris County was named, he and Wilson took over a mill operation.
History
Caspar Braun
(March 16, 1822 - October 14, 1880) A native of Germany, Caspar Braun was educated in Switzerland. A physician and teacher as well as a Lutheran clergyman, he was sent to Pennsylvania as a missionary in 1847. He arrived in Huston in 1850. The following year he organized the first German Evangelical Lutheran Church and was elected first president of the German Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Texas.
History
Cedar Bayou Masonic Lodge No. 321, A. F. & A. M.
Chartered June 18, 1870, with 13 members. Opened its own hall July 7, 1876, donating quarters (1876-1911) to the first public school in east Harris County. On June 24, 1879, initiated an event that still continues-- the annual barbecue giving sense of community to area. In 100 years, Lodge has missed holding only one stated meeting.
History
City of Baytown
Located in the Gulf Coast region and situated mostly within Harris County plus a small portion of Chambers County, the city of Baytown is bordered by eight bays: Burnet, Crystal, Scott, Mitchell, Black Duck, San Jacinto, Tabbs and Galveston Bay.
Elsewhere in Texas
Hear it from the road
Whistlestop tells you this story automatically when you drive past. No searching, no tapping, nothing to ask.
