The History of Houston Texas

Today we honor Houston's own Beyonce Knowles:

**Beyoncé's Houston Roots**

Beyoncé was born on September 4, 1981, in Houston, Texas, and resided in the city for approximately 21 years. Her identity remains closely connected to Houston’s historic Third Ward, a neighborhood she has frequently referenced in her music, including as “Miss 3rd Ward.”

# # # Early Life and Education

- **Childhood Homes**: Beyoncé grew up in a 1930s-era home in the Riverside Terrace neighborhood of Third Ward. The property recently went under contract for approximately $1.275 million. Her family later lived in southwest Houston and Missouri City during her teenage years.

- **Education**: She attended several Houston schools, including St. Mary’s Catholic Montessori, Parker Elementary (a music magnet school), and Welch Middle School. She subsequently enrolled at the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) and Elsik High School.

- **Family Business**: Her mother, Tina Knowles, owned Headliners Salon in Third Ward. Beyoncé gained early performance experience there, singing for clients while assisting in the salon.

# # # Musical Roots and Rise to Fame

- **Church Foundations**: She sang in the choir at St. John’s United Methodist Church for two years.

- **Destiny’s Child**: The group, originally known as Girls’ Tyme, was formed in Houston in 1990. They rehearsed and recorded at local landmarks, including the historic Rice Mansion (former headquarters of Music World Entertainment) and SugarHill Recording Studios, where they recorded the track “Bootylicious.”

- **Local Influences**: Beyoncé’s musical style reflects Houston’s distinctive cultural blend, incorporating elements of zydeco, gospel, and the city’s signature chopped-and-screwed hip-hop sound.

# # # Philanthropy and Community Impact

- **Housing Initiatives**: In partnership with Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé is developing the Knowles-Rowland House, an $8.4 million permanent supportive housing project in downtown Houston for individuals experiencing homelessness. The facility is scheduled to open in summer 2026.

- **Ongoing Support**: Since 2007, she has contributed more than $7 million to the Knowles-Temenos Place Apartments, which provide housing and supportive services to vulnerable Houston residents.

# # # Iconic Houston Connections and Traditions

- **Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo**: A longtime supporter, Beyoncé first performed at the Rodeo with Destiny’s Child in 2001 and has returned for multiple appearances, including a notable solo performance on horseback in 2004. Her 2024 album *Cowboy Carter* further celebrates the legacy of Black cowboy culture in Texas.

- **Local Favorites**: When visiting Houston, she has been known to frequent establishments such as Frenchy’s Chicken, The Breakfast Klub, This Is It soul food restaurant, and the Menil Collection.

This revised version presents the information in a clear, professional, and well-organized format suitable for articles, profiles, or presentations. All original details have been preserved while improving flow, consistency, and readability.

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In the 1930s, Houston emerged as Texas's most populous city, with over 292,000 residents by 1930. Despite the Great Depression, the city continued to grow, fueled by the bustling Port of Houston, which had been opened in 1914. The decade was characterized by expanding local entertainment, such as the popular "Peanut Day" at downtown theaters, alongside a rising interest in modernism in the city's cultural scene.

Economic Resilience and the New Deal
Despite the national economic downturn, Houston maintained significant building activity. Local leader and financier Jesse H. Jones played a critical role in shielding the city's banks from collapse and securing federal funding for major projects.

Modernistic Architecture: The decade saw the rise of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles. Notable buildings from this era include the current Houston City Hall and Lamar High School, both built with federal assistance.
Infrastructure: Air travel expanded with the growth of Houston International Airport, and major roads were paved to accommodate increasing automobile traffic.

Natural Disasters and Flooding
The 1930s were also marked by devastating environmental challenges that reshaped the city's infrastructure.
The Great Flood of 1935: In December 1935, catastrophic flooding of the Buffalo and White Oak Bayous submerged 25 blocks of downtown Houston and 100 residential blocks.
Impact: The flood caused nearly $3 million in damage (approximately $42 million in 2012 dollars) and killed several people. This disaster led directly to the creation of the Harris County Flood Control District in 1937.
TexasArchive.org

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Culture and Society
Daily life in 1930s Houston was a mix of modern entertainment and traditional community structures.
Entertainment: Downtown Houston was the hub of social life, featuring "first-class" movie theaters like the Metropolitan and the Majestic. These venues offered a cool, air-conditioned escape from the summer heat and featured live bands and silent films.
Traditions: The first Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was held in 1932, establishing a cornerstone of Houstonian culture that continues today.
Neighborhood Growth: New neighborhoods like Trinity/Houston Gardens were established in the 1930s as Black communities where residents could own land and build homes.

Key Statistics (c. 1930)
Population: ~292,352.
Land Area: ~72 square miles.
Urban Density: ~9,300 people per square mile (significantly denser than the modern city).

Houston in the 1830s
Houston's birth coincides with Texas' battle for independence as the new town struggles to create an identity.

1836
On April 21, General Sam Houston’s army wins Texas’ independence from Mexico in the Battle of San Jacinto.

1836
Houston founded on August 30 by brothers Augustus C. and John K. Allen, who pay just over $1.40 per acre for 6,642 acres near headwaters of Buffalo Bayou.

Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen, real estate speculators from New York, founded Houston on August 30, 1836, by purchasing 6,642 acres of land along Buffalo Bayou for $5,000. They aimed to create a major commercial center, naming the city after General Sam Houston to gain prominence.

1836
Allen Brothers call on Gail Borden (publisher, surveyor, originator of condensed milk) and Thomas H. Borden to survey the site. Gail Borden lays out the town’s streets 80’ wide, with the principal east-west street (Texas Ave.) 100’ wide.

1837
General Sam Houston, first president of the Republic of Texas, signs an act authorizing Houston to incorporate. Houston is capital of the Republic from 1837-1839.

1837
The Laura is the first steamship to visit Houston.

1838
A bucket brigade, Protection Fire Company No. 1, is formed to fight fires.

Caption
A replica of one of the original maps for the new city of Houston created by Gail Borden, who was hired by the Allen brothers.

courtesy of https://d9.houston.org/timeline

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The History of Jack Yates , High School.
Jack Yates High School Celebrates 100 Years.

Key Historical Details
Founding & Location: Originally located at 2610 Elgin St., the school opened with 17 teachers and 600 students. Due to overcrowding, it moved to its current location on Alabama Street in 1958.
Legacy of Leadership: The first principal was James D. Ryan (1926–1941), followed by William S. Holland.
Distinctions: In 1978, the school established its nationally recognized School of Communications. It is known for a strong, intergenerational, "family" atmosphere, often described as an HBCU-like experience.
Structure: A new, state-of-the-art facility was completed in 2018, while the original building now houses the Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan.
Notable Alumni: The school has produced numerous leaders, including actress Debbie Allen, Phylicia Rashad, and journalist Roland Martin.
Recent Milestones: Jack Yates High School celebrated its 100th anniversary in February 2026.

The school, often referred to as the "Lion's Den," remains a significant, enduring institution in the Houston Independent School District (HISD)

John Henry "Jack" Yates
Our school was named in honor of the Reverend Jack Yates, a highly respected and noted minister. He was pastor of Bethel and Antioch Baptist churches located in the Fourth Ward community. The late Reverend Yates sponsored other churches and schools in the state of Texas and served with excellent leadership, especially emphasizing education directed toward youth as future leaders.

Established on February 8, 1926, in Houston's Third Ward, Jack Yates High School is a historic institution that served as the city's second high school for Black students. Named after Reverend John Henry "Jack" Yates, a former slave and prominent community leader, the school has spent 100 years as a pillar of Black education, culture, and athletic excellence in Texas.

2610 Elgin
Jack Yates Senior High School, the second black high school in the city, opened February 8, 1926, with 17 teachers and 600 students. Located at 2610 Elgin. The late James D. Ryan was principal from opening in 1926 until his death in 1941. Succeeding him was William S. Holland. The school remained at its original site until 1958, and the old building was then appropriately named in honor of its first principal, James D. Ryan. The building has been renovated and currently bears the name of Baylor College of Medicine Academy (formerly James D. Ryan Middle School).
This video provides a glimpse into the school's history and its 100-year celebration: https://youtu.be/Ry9C-o6py60

Principals
This great institution has been guided through the past years by twenty principals who have helped it to achieve its mission as a service institution for secondary education. The following principals instilled the school’s motto, “Character and Achievement” in the hearts of Yates’ students: the late James D. Ryan (1926-1941); the late William S. Holland (1941-1958); the late John E. Codwell (1958-1964); the late James R. Alexander (1964-1972); Herbert Melton (1972-1978); Osby Mitchell, Sr. (1978-1986); Joseph Drayton (1986-1988); Chet D Smith (1988-1990); Dr. Ronald Johnson (1990-1995); Lloyd D. Choice (1995-1999), Dr. Robert F. Worthy (1999-2003), George R. August (2003-2007), Winston Steele (2007-2008), Ronald Mumpherey (2008-2010), Samuel Coleman (2011), Marla McNeal-Sheppard (2011-2013), Donetrus G. Hill (2013 - 2015), Dr. Kenneth Davis (2015 – 2018), Principal Tiffany Guillory (2018-2023), and the present leader, Principal Stephanie Square. Jack Yates High School has been a major force in the Third Ward community for years. We are very proud and thankful for the legacy of Pride, Excellence and Tradition!

Jack Yates High School in Houston's Third Ward has produced a vast array of prominent figures across entertainment, sports, politics, and social justice.

Notable alumni of Jack Yates High School in Houston, Texas, include acclaimed actress/director Debbie Allen ('67), her sister, actress Phylicia Rashad ('66), and journalist Roland Martin. The school has a strong legacy of producing NFL players, such as Johnny Bailey, Santana Dotson, and Dexter Manley, along with figures like state representative Garnet Coleman and George Floyd ('93).

Arts and Entertainment
Debbie Allen (Class of 1967): Actress, dancer, director, and producer.
Phylicia Rashad (Class of 1966): Actress, producer, known for The Cosby Show.
Jewel Brown: Jazz singer who performed with Louis Armstrong.
Albert Collins: Renowned blues guitarist and singer.
Big Mo: Rapper.

Sports
Johnny Bailey (Class of 1986): NFL running back (Bears, Cardinals, Rams).
Santana Dotson (Class of 1987): NFL defensive lineman and Super Bowl # # champion.
Dexter Manley: NFL defensive end, two-time Super Bowl champion.
Damyean Dotson: NBA player.
Michael Young: NBA player.
Robert Miller: NFL running back.
Alphonse Dotson: NFL player.
Aubrey Beavers: NFL player.
Harold Bailey: NFL player (Houston Oilers).
Rickie Winslow: Basketball player.
Joseph Young: Basketball player.

Politics and Media
Roland Martin: Journalist and author.
Garnet Coleman (Class of 1979): Texas State Representative.
Judson Robinson Jr.: First African-American elected to Houston City Council.
Carolyn Evans-Shabazz (Class of 1972): Houston City Council member.
Kim Gagné (Class of 1982): Emmy Award-winning producer.

Other
George Floyd (Class of 1993): Known for his role in triggering global protests for racial justice.
Conrad O. Johnson: Renowned jazz educator and musician.

The Weingarten family, led by Polish immigrant Hersch Harris and his son Joseph, founded the pioneering Houston-based grocery chain Weingarten's in 1901, revolutionizing local retail with self-service, cash-and-carry, and large-format stores. The business expanded across Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas, operating 70+ stores by 1967. Joseph also established Weingarten Realty to develop shopping centers, which eventually became a major publicly traded REIT before its acquisition by Kimco Realty in 2021.

Key Details About the Weingarten Family:
Founding & Growth: Harris Weingarten opened a dry goods store in 1895, which failed, leading the family to open a grocery store in 1901 at Congress and Crawford in Downtown Houston.

Key Figure - Joseph "Joe" Weingarten (1884–1967): Son of Harris, Joe is credited with revolutionizing the self-service supermarket concept in Texas. He pioneered "one-stop" shopping, bringing together groceries, produce, meat, and bakeries under one roof.
Business Evolution: The grocery chain was sold to Cavenham Foods (Grand Union) in 1980. The real estate arm, Weingarten Realty Investors, grew separately and was sold to Kimco Realty for $3.87 billion in 2021.

Community Impact: The family was deeply involved in Houston's civic and Jewish community; Joe established the World Institute for World Peace and was a board member for the Texas Medical Center and Baylor Medical Foundation.
Legacy: The historic Weingarten Mansion, designed by architect Joseph Finger in 1939, is located in Riverside Terrace.
Reference Site: https://houstonhistoricretail.com/grocery/weingartens/

Today we remember the legacy of the great Sylvester Turner. 1954 - 2025.

Sylvester Turner (born September 27, 1954) is an American attorney and politician who was the 62nd mayor of Houston, Texas. A member of the Democratic Party, Turner was a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1989 until 2016. He attended the University of Houston and Harvard Law School.Turner ran for mayor of Houston in 1991, losing in the runoff election to Bob Lanier. He lost again in 2003, coming in third and thus missing the runoff.

Turner won the 2015 election, defeating Bill King in the runoff by 4,082 votes out of 212,696 votes cast in the closest mayoral election in Houston history by percentage. On December 14, 2019, Turner won his second term as mayor over the more conservative Tony Buzbee, 56-44 percent in a turn out of less than 20 percent of registered voters. In 2024, after the death of Sheila Jackson Lee, Turner announced his candidacy to fill her congressional seat and was nominated at the subsequent convention.

Early Life:
Turner was born on September 27, 1954, in Houston, Texas, as the sixth of nine children, and was raised in the Acres Homes community in northwest Houston by his father, a commercial painter, and his mother, a maid at the Rice Hotel.He was senior class president and valedictorian at Klein High School. At the University of Houston he was Speaker of the Student Senate and graduated magna cm laude with a B.A. degree in political science. Turner was a finalist in the Ames Moot Court Competition while obtaining a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.