Houstonians today are proud of the inauspicious start of their city by brothers Augustus and John Allen in 1836. They established a trading post after wending their way up the muddy Buffalo Bayou and dubbed their soggy little area "Houston" in honor of General Sam Houston who had recently defeated the Mexican Army at San Jancinto. At the time most people were convinced this venture had more of madness than brilliance about it, although today most have come to accept the brilliance theory.
Houston's prosperity was linked to several key events in its development. The first was the arrival of the railroad in the 1860s and 1870s. However, the first real windfall for the city came with the discovery of oil in 1901 at nearby Spindletop. With the arrival of air conditioning in the 1930s, Houston became livable and the promises of wealth from the black gold were realized as the city's population boomed. NASA was one of the most notable new arrivals in 1963 when the Mission Control Center opened a few miles outside the city.
Houston experienced some turbulence in the 1980s and 1990s with the collapse of oil prices, flooding and tornadoes, and financial problems including the collapse of Enron. However, the city's perseverance and determination carried the population through these trying events; today Houston is again doing well financially and has diversified its economy into areas such as high-tech computer and aerospace industries and medical services.
With the fervor of the Texan philosophy ("Everything in Texas is bigger!"), Houston became a sprawling metropolis and is currently the fourth largest city in the US. Houston boasts a diverse population of 1.9 million people who represent more than 100 nationalities and speak more than 90 languages. This diversity, rich history, and continued growth can be seen from the big to the small as Houston's skyline continues to evolve while its individual and culturally diverse neighborhoods continue to express and celebrate the city's varied heritage.
HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS
Museum District
If you' re looking for a concentration of museums, the Museum District is the place to go in Houston. The area contains 15 spectacular museums including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Contemporary Arts Museum, the Museum of Health and Medical Science, the Children's Museum, the Holocaust Museum Houston, and the C.G. Jung Educational Center.
Museum of Printing History
An amazing collection of printing through the ages, this museum contains one of the first printed documents dating from 764, the Dharani Scroll. This unexpected treasure is located in the southern part of downtown Houston.
National Museum of Funeral History
Although you rarely consider the 'industry' behind death, this museum features all that is related to the many facets of death in this country. It is run by an organization that trains funeral directors, and the large museum features a fascinating if somewhat morbid collection.
San Jacinto Battleground
To commemorate the victory of Sam Houston over the army of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, over 1000 acres have been preserved where visitors can experience the area as it would have been when the Houston settlers first arrived (without air conditioning!). Among the notable attractions are the observation deck of the San Jacinto Monument (15 feet higher than the Washington Monument), and a museum featuring Texan artifacts.
Sources:
( City of Houston - History in the Making ) (Accessed November 12, 2004)
( Lonely Planet - Houston ) (Accessed November 12, 2004)