Houston - 1900-1949 Did You Know

1. 1900: The devastating hurricane of 1900 caused significant damage in Houston, leading to major changes in weather forecasting and disaster preparedness.
2. 1901: The discovery of oil at Spindletop, near Beaumont, spurred rapid industrial growth in Houston as a center for the oil industry.
3. 1902: Houston’s first public park, Sam Houston Park, was inaugurated, marking the beginning of the city’s public park system.
4. 1903: The first car dealership in Houston opened, signaling the city’s growing automotive market.
5. 1904: Houston Public Library opened its doors, offering free access to books and promoting literacy.
6. 1905: The Rice Institute (now Rice University) opened its campus, becoming one of the premier institutions of higher learning in Texas.
7. 1906: Houston’s first radio station began broadcasting, expanding the city’s communications infrastructure.
8. 1907: The Houston Ship Channel began construction, aimed at creating a navigable link between Houston and the Gulf of Mexico.
9. 1908: The first airplane flight in Houston took place, marking the beginning of aviation history in the city.
10. 1909: Houston hosted the first statewide suffrage conference, advancing the cause of women’s voting rights in Texas.
11. 1910: The iconic Houston Chronicle building was constructed, becoming a major landmark in downtown Houston.
12. 1911: Houston’s first skyscraper, the 12-story Carter Building, was completed, dramatically altering the city’s skyline.
13. 1912: Houston introduced its first motorized fire engine, modernizing the city’s fire department.
14. 1913: The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas opened a branch in Houston, underscoring the city’s growing importance in national finance.
15. 1914: The Houston Ship Channel officially opened, establishing the city as a major world port.
16. 1915: The construction of the Hermann Hospital marked the beginning of the Texas Medical Center, which would become the largest medical complex in the world.
17. 1916: Rice University played its first football game, starting a long and storied sports tradition.
18. 1917: Camp Logan, a World War I training camp, was established, significantly impacting Houston’s development.
19. 1918: The Spanish Flu pandemic reached Houston, causing widespread illness and prompting public health reforms.
20. 1919: Houston’s first airport, Ellington Field, was established primarily for military use.
21. 1920: The University of Houston was founded, offering higher education opportunities to the growing city.
22. 1921: The Houston Symphony Orchestra was formed, enhancing the city’s cultural landscape.
23. 1922: The Houston Zoo opened its doors in Hermann Park, adding a major attraction to the city’s offerings.
24. 1923: The first Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was held, soon becoming one of the largest events of its kind in the world.
25. 1924: The city’s art deco City Hall was completed, becoming a focal point for municipal administration.
26. 1925: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, was established, becoming Texas’s first art museum.
27. 1926: The Julia Ideson Building, a landmark Houston public library, opened its doors to the public.
28. 1927: The River Oaks Theatre opened, becoming an iconic venue for cinema and culture.
29. 1928: Houston Municipal Airport (now Hobby Airport) opened, facilitating commercial air travel.
30. 1929: The Great Depression began, severely impacting Houston’s economy but also leading to significant federal investment in infrastructure.
31. 1930: Houston became home to the first television broadcast in Texas.
32. 1931: The Gulf Building, Houston’s tallest building at the time, was completed amidst the Great Depression.
33. 1932: Houston hosted the Democratic National Convention, highlighting its growing political significance.
34. 1933: The repeal of Prohibition led to a boom in Houston’s nightlife and entertainment sectors.
35. 1934: Houston’s first major league baseball team, the Houston Buffaloes, affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals.
36. 1935: A catastrophic flood led to the creation of the Harris County Flood Control District.
37. 1936: Houston celebrated the Texas Centennial with citywide events and improvements.
38. 1937: The Shamrock Hotel opened, symbolizing Houston’s post-Depression recovery and luxury.
39. 1938: The Houston Municipal Airport was the site of Howard Hughes’s around-the-world flight, promoting global aviation.
40. 1939: During WWII, Houston became a major center for shipbuilding and manufacturing for the war effort.
41. 1940: The Alley Theatre was founded, enriching Houston’s theatrical scene.
42. 1941: Houston was selected as the site for a large-scale synthetic rubber production facility, contributing to the war effort.
43. 1942: The Port of Houston played a critical role in military logistics during World War II.
44. 1943: Massive strikes at Houston shipyards highlighted labor tensions and the demand for civil rights.
45. 1944: The Texas Medical Center was officially established, following the opening of several hospitals and research institutions.
46. 1945: Ellington Field was decommissioned as a military base and converted for civil aviation use.
47. 1946: The first Houston International Film Festival was held, showcasing international and independent films.
48. 1947: The Texas City disaster, one of the deadliest industrial accidents in U.S. history, occurred near Houston, profoundly affecting the city.
49. 1948: Houston voters approved a major charter amendment that established the current strong-mayor form of city government.
50. 1949: Houston’s first television station, KLEE-TV (now KPRC-TV), began broadcasting, expanding the city’s media landscape.
Here are the next 50 “Did You Know?” facts about Houston for the period from 1900 to 1949:

51. 1900: The Houston Electric Company was formed, electrifying the city’s streetcar system.
52. 1901: Houston hosted the Texas State Fair, attracting visitors from across the state.
53. 1902: The city’s first permanent fire station was built, establishing a more robust fire safety network.
54. 1903: Houston’s first concrete roadway, Franklin Avenue, was paved, improving city infrastructure.
55. 1904: The Texas Oil Boom, triggered by nearby discoveries, turned Houston into a burgeoning oil capital.
56. 1905: The Houston Chronicle was acquired by a group of Houston investors, solidifying its place in local media.
57. 1906: Houston’s first major league baseball park, West End Park, opened.
58. 1907: The Battleship USS Texas was commissioned and later stationed near Houston, becoming a longstanding museum ship.
59. 1908: The iconic Houston Heights neighborhood was annexed into Houston, expanding the city’s boundaries.
60. 1909: The first recorded auto race in Houston took place at a makeshift track.
61. 1910: The historic San Jacinto Battleground became a state park, preserving the site of Texas’ independence.
62. 1911: Houston introduced its first traffic lights, helping to manage the increasing number of automobiles.
63. 1912: The Rice Hotel was rebuilt into a 17-story structure, becoming a symbol of Houston’s prosperity.
64. 1913: Houston saw its first commercial movie theater open, bringing Hollywood films to Texas.
65. 1914: The Houston Fat Stock Show and Livestock Exposition (now the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo) began.
66. 1915: The first long-distance phone call from Houston was made to New York City.
67. 1916: The Buffalo Bayou was dredged and widened to aid in flood prevention and control.
68. 1917: Houston was connected by paved road to Galveston, improving regional travel and commerce.
69. 1918: Houston philanthropist Ima Hogg opened the Varner-Hogg Plantation State Historic Site to the public.
70. 1919: The Grand Opera House in Houston hosted performances by the famous Ballets Russes.
71. 1920: The first commercial radio broadcast in Houston aired, expanding local media offerings.
72. 1921: The Houston Negro Hospital (now Riverside General Hospital) was founded, providing medical services to African-Americans.
73. 1922: The construction of the Houston Civic Center highlighted the city’s development and commitment to public spaces.
74. 1923: Houston’s population exceeded 100,000, marking a significant demographic milestone.
75. 1924: The city’s first high-rise apartment building, the Warwick, was constructed.
76. 1925: Houston hosted the National Air Races, featuring famed aviator Amelia Earhart.
77. 1926: The Blue Bonnet Flood, one of the worst in Houston history, spurred further flood control measures.
78. 1927: The Majestic Theatre opened its doors as Houston’s premier movie palace.
79. 1928: The Houston Airport (now William P. Hobby Airport) was established as the city’s first commercial airport.
80. 1929: The Art Deco Gulf Building, one of Houston’s most recognizable skyscrapers, was completed.
81. 1930: The first Houston Art Car Parade took place, starting a unique local tradition.
82. 1931: The Shamrock Hotel, an emblem of Houston’s luxury, opened its doors.
83. 1932: The Houston Public Library system was integrated, allowing access to all citizens.
84. 1933: Houston experienced its coldest temperature on record at 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-15°C).
85. 1934: The first Houston Fat Stock Show was held, later evolving into the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
86. 1935: The Harris County Domed Stadium (Astrodome), the world’s first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium, was conceptualized.
87. 1936: The Houston Museum of Natural Science was founded, significantly boosting educational resources.
88. 1937: The city’s first municipal airport terminal was dedicated.
89. 1938: The Houston Post newspaper was purchased by Oveta Culp Hobby, who would become a prominent Houstonian and the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
90. 1939: The first night baseball game was played in Houston, under newly installed lights at Buff Stadium.
91. 1940: The University of Houston was moved to its permanent campus, significantly expanding its facilities and enrollment.
92. 1941: The Houston Symphony moved to the newly built Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts.
93. 1942: The Port of Houston was designated as a foreign trade zone, enhancing its international trade capabilities.
94. 1943: Houston’s streetcar system was fully replaced by buses, ending an era of rail-based public transport.
95. 1944: Camp Logan, previously a WWI training camp, was converted into Memorial Park.
96. 1945: Houston hosted a major conference on post-war planning, drawing national and international attention.
97. 1946: The Alley Theatre was established, becoming Houston’s premier professional theatre company.
98. 1947: The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center was founded, later becoming a leading cancer treatment and research institution.
99. 1948: The University of Houston became a state university, joining the Texas State University System.
100. 1949: Houston was struck by a severe polio epidemic, leading to significant public health initiatives.