Houston Pre 1899 Did You Know
Houston, Texas: 1899 and Before
Houston's Early Years
Houston, founded in 1836 by brothers Augustus C. and John K. Allen, quickly transformed from a modest town into a big city playing a large role in Texas history. In its early days, Houston was a commercial center due to its strategic location near the Buffalo Bayou. This was essential for transporting goods. By 1837, Houston was named the temporary capital of the Republic of Texas. Houston began to show its early importance in state politics and economics. The town’s growth was periodically disrupted by challenges such as yellow fever epidemics and significant fires in 1849 and 1859, which required major rebuilding efforts.
Birth of a City: Houston's Growth Unmatched
Throughout the mid-19th century, Houston continued to expand economically, driven by the cotton industry and the influx of railroads. The railroads helped grow additional trade and immigration.
The city’s population increased and by the late 1800s, Houston had begun laying the foundations for its future as a major American metropolis. The establishment of banks, educational institutions, and the first medical facilities like St. Joseph’s Infirmary in 1887 helped create Houston’s role as a center for commerce and healthcare.
1899 and Before Did You Know...
1. 1836: Houston was founded on August 30 by brothers Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen near the banks of Buffalo Bayou.
2. 1837: The city of Houston was incorporated by the Republic of Texas and James S. Holman became its first mayor.
3. 1839: The Texas Congress moved the capital from Houston to Austin, in part due to Houston’s yellow fever epidemic.
4. 1840: Houston’s first newspaper, the Telegraph and Texas Register, relocated from Columbia to Houston.
5. 1841: The city suffered a major fire that destroyed much of its business district.
6. 1842: A second major fire swept through Houston, devastating the town again just a year after it began to rebuild.
7. 1845: Texas joined the United States, with Houston playing a major role in the annexation debates and decision.
8. 1850: The population of Houston reached 2,396, marking its emergence as a key commercial center.
9. 1853: Houston’s first railroad, the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos, and Colorado Railway, began operation, enhancing trade and transportation.
10. 1858: The cornerstone for the first permanent bridge over Buffalo Bayou was laid, significantly improving access across the city.
11. 1860: Houston established its first gas light company, illuminating the streets with gas lamps.
12. 1861: Houston served as a headquarters for General John Bankhead Magruder during the Civil War.
13. 1866: The first National Bank of Houston was chartered, helping to restore financial stability post-Civil War.
14. 1868: The Houston Direct Navigation Company was formed to improve the navigability of Buffalo Bayou.
15. 1870: The Houston and Texas Central Railroad was completed, connecting Houston with central Texas and fostering growth.
16. 1872: The first public schools in Houston were established, with classes held in rented rooms.
17. 1875: The city was hit by a severe yellow fever epidemic, which claimed many lives.
18. 1876: The Houston Waterworks Company was founded, providing the first public water system.
19. 1880: The population of Houston doubled to over 16,000 as the railroad industry boomed.
20. 1882: Houston’s first telephone exchange was established, modernizing communication in the city.
21. 1884: The first electric lights were installed in the streets of Houston.
22. 1885: Houston opened its first public library.
23. 1887: Two more railroad companies, the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific, entered Houston, solidifying its status as a transportation hub.
24. 1889: The first skyscraper in Texas, the seven-story Binz Building, was constructed in Houston.
25. 1891: The Houston Electric Street Railway Company began operating, making streetcar transportation available.
26. 1892: The Great Storm, a powerful hurricane, struck Houston, causing widespread damage but few fatalities.
27. 1893: Rice University was chartered in Houston by William Marsh Rice.
28. 1894: The Houston Ship Channel Company was organized to promote the development of a deep-water port.
29. 1895: The city’s first hospital, St. Joseph’s Infirmary, was opened.
30. 1896: Houston’s first free public school building, the Franklin School, was erected.
31. 1897: Houston hosted the Deep Water Jubilee, celebrating efforts to create a deep-water port to boost commerce.
32. 1898: The Houston Chronicle was founded by a former journalist from the now-defunct Houston Post.
33. 1899: The grand opening of the opulent Rice Hotel occurred, establishing a new social and business hub in downtown Houston.
34. 1836: The Allen brothers advertised Houston as the “great interior commercial emporium of Texas.”
35. 1837: Houston briefly served as the capital of the Republic of Texas before it was moved to Austin.
36. 1838: The city’s first church, a wooden structure, was built.
37. 1843: The first theater in Houston was opened, introducing arts and culture to the community.
38. 1846: During the Mexican-American War, Houston became a staging ground for U.S. troops.
39. 1851: The Harris County Courthouse was constructed in Houston, establishing the city as the county seat.
40. 1854: Houston’s first mayor’s office was established, solidifying its governance structure.
41. 1856: The Houston City Railway, a mule-drawn streetcar system, began operations.
42. 1859: The cornerstone for the first Masonic Temple in Houston was laid.
43. 1863: Houston experienced a brief occupation by Union forces during the Civil War.
44. 1867: Reconstruction efforts in Houston began, including the establishment of Freedmen’s Town.
45. 1869: The Houston Tap and Brazoria Railway was completed, linking Houston to the Gulf of Mexico.
46. 1871: Houston’s first opera house opened, providing a venue for both local and touring productions.
47. 1873: The Houston Board of Trade was established to promote economic development.
48. 1874: The city installed its first public sewer system.
49. 1877: Reconstruction ended in Texas, with Houston playing a significant role in the political transition.
50. 1879: The first telephone was installed in Houston at the Hutchins House Hotel.
51. 1881: The Houston Cotton Exchange was founded, enhancing Houston’s role in the global cotton market.
52. 1883: The first ice factory in Houston began operation, changing food storage and consumption.
53. 1886: A devastating fire destroyed much of Houston’s business district, leading to new fire safety regulations.
54. 1888: The “Great Snow” of 1888 blanketed Houston with several inches of snow.
55. 1890: The city’s population reached 27,557, nearly doubling in a decade.
56. 1893: The first electric streetcar ran in Houston, revolutionizing urban transport.
57. 1894: Houston hosted the first statewide meeting of the Texas Federation of Women’s Clubs.
58. 1895: A massive flood of Buffalo Bayou inundated the city, leading to significant changes in flood management strategies.
59. 1896: The Houston Police Department was officially organized.
60. 1897: Sam Houston Park was established, Houston’s oldest park.
61. 1898: The Battleship Texas was commissioned in Houston, boosting local patriotism and military ties.
62. 1899: The first car appeared on Houston streets, heralding the age of automobiles.
63. 1839: The first post office in Houston was established, improving communication with the rest of the country.
64. 1844: Houston’s first hospital was opened, the Houston Infirmary.
65. 1852: The city saw the establishment of its first brick building, marking a shift in construction practices.
66. 1855: An official city hall building was constructed.
67. 1857: The first state fair was held in Houston, drawing visitors from across Texas.
68. 1860: Houston’s first photographic studio opened.
69. 1862: Confederate forces fortified Houston against potential Union attacks during the Civil War.
70. 1864: A major Confederate hospital complex was established in Houston to treat wounded soldiers.
71. 1865: Juneteenth, the announcement of the abolition of slavery, was celebrated for the first time in Houston.
72. 1868: The first recorded baseball game in Houston took place.
73. 1870: The Houston Police Force was created, preceding the formal organization of the department in 1896.
74. 1872: Houston’s first public high school was established.
75. 1878: The Galveston-Houston Railroad was completed, linking Houston more closely with the port of Galveston.
76. 1880: The University of Houston was conceptualized, although it would not officially open until 1927.
77. 1889: A public market house was opened, providing a permanent space for farmers and traders.
78. 1891: The first paved streets appeared in Houston.
79. 1892: Houston Light & Power was established, providing electricity to businesses and residences.
80. 1896: The city’s first zoo opened in Sam Houston Park.
81. 1899: Houston was connected by telephone with Galveston, expanding communication networks.
82. 1839: Houston was designated as the temporary capital of the newly-formed Republic of Texas.
83. 1845: The first brewery in Houston was established, highlighting the city’s early industrial growth.
84. 1853: Houston inaugurated its first fire company, marking the beginning of organized fire protection.
85. 1859: Houston hosted the first state fair in Texas, showcasing agricultural and mechanical innovations.
86. 1866: The first orphanage in Houston was established, called the Houston Orphans Home.
87. 1871: The Houston Street Railway extended its service, connecting more neighborhoods and spurring urban expansion.
88. 1873: The first iron bridge was built over Buffalo Bayou, enhancing transportation and commerce.
89. 1876: Houston experienced its first recorded tornado, which caused significant damage but no fatalities.
90. 1880: The first opera performances in Houston began, offering a new cultural dimension to the city’s residents.
91. 1883: The construction of the first substantial public school building in Houston was completed.
92. 1885: Houston’s first professional baseball team was formed, boosting local sports interest.
93. 1887: Electric street lighting was introduced in Houston, significantly improving night-time safety and urban activity.
94. 1889: The city established its first weather station, providing essential data for residents and businesses.
95. 1890: Houston launched its first street paving project, transitioning from dirt to brick streets.
96. 1892: The Magnolia Park was established, being one of the earliest planned communities in Houston.
97. 1894: Houston inaugurated its first streetcar suburb, linking residential areas with downtown by rail.
98. 1897: The Houston Public Library system was founded, significantly advancing educational opportunities.
99. 1898: The City of Houston started its first large-scale public works project to improve drainage and reduce flooding.
100. 1899: The first automobile parade was held in Houston, showcasing the emerging technology to a curious public.
Cultivation of Culture and Community
By the turn of the century, Houston had established itself as a prosperous city, with communities and a strong economy. The completion of significant projects like the Houston Ship Channel in 1914 would soon open new avenues for growth. Overall, these expansions allowed Houston to become a critical gateway to global markets. The city’s history of overcoming adversity and seizing opportunities set the stage for its 20th-century evolution into a global urban powerhouse.
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