|
Houston was named for Samuel Houston
(1793-1863), the politician and general who was at the forefront of
Texas' fight for independence from Mexico. He later became President
of the Republic of Texas; when Texas became part of the Union,
Houston served as a Senator and later Governor of Texas.
Located in southeast Texas, the city was founded in 1836 and laid
out by Augustus C. Allen and John K. Allen. Its coastal environment
was not a healthy environment; together with the climate it
encouraged many diseases, the most threatening of which was Yellow
Fever. By 1900, spraying for mosquitoes eventually controlled this.
In 1914 the Houston Ship Channel was created, beginning a whole new
life for Houston. The 50-mile long channel linked Houston to
Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. This deep-water port became a
major shipping link and an important area for the U.S. grain market.
|
The following year oil was discovered
and the boom began. Oil companies flooded the area and by the end of
the decade there were forty companies located in the city. Although
cotton was the major industry in the area it was World War II that
brought the biggest demand on the Houston for gasoline, oil,
explosives, ships and many other local commodities.
In 1958 the National Aeronautics and Space Administration made its
home in Houston assuring the city its place in space age
technologies.
Now the largest City in Texas with a population of over 1,500,000,
Houston has much to offer both visitor and resident including more
than twenty Universities and Colleges such as the distinguished
University of Houston, the University of Texas-Houston Health and
Science Center, Texas Southern University and Rice University.
A world center of oil, natural gas, iron and steel, paper products,
electrical and electronic machinery, Houston also offers the visitor
a diverse cultural environment. |
|
Museum of Fine Arts
Make an early start to this wonderful museum because there is so much to
take in. Marvel to the works of the masters, then take in the sculptures
from many cultures. The splendid decorative arts collection houses many
examples of textiles and costumes. Throughout the year visitors can
enjoy a variety of lectures that explain the various exhibits and
collections in depth. The Museum also presents a fine series of films
each year. www.mfah.org
Menil Collection
The museum was established in 1987 by John and Dominique de Menil as a
showpiece for their fine art collection, an eclectic mix including
tribal cultures and the Byzantine era, Warhol and Matisse. In addition
to the permanent collection, special exhibits are staged every year.
Also at this location are the Cy Twombly Gallery, the Byzantine Fresco
Chapel and the Rothko Chapel. Complete your visit by dropping by the
bookstore for souvenirs of this fine museum. www.menil.org
Holocaust Museum
A recent construction, the Holocaust Museum presents a stirring visual
and audio account of the Jewish Holocaust. Through the stories of
various people who survived this horrendous period, visitors will be
touched, changed and educated by their experiences.
Grand 1894 Opera
House
This non-profit institution, known as the 'Official Opera House of
Texas', brings locals and visitors alike a wonderful selection of
artists. From dancing to singing to comedy and more, the Opera House has
entertained millions throughout its long life. A staple of the
community, "the Grand" features educational programs; it can also be
reserved for special occasions such as conventions and weddings,
providing a unique location. Houstongrandopera.org
Houston
Symphony
The 3,000-seat Jones Hall is home to the Houston Symphony. Founded in
1913, the Symphony is always busy, whether at home or on tour or
recording. Jones Hall allows the symphony to perform at its ideal
acoustic levels thanks to a moveable ceiling that can be adjusted for
each performance.
Houston Ballet
The Houston Ballet, an internationally renowned company, offers over 100
performances a year, most notably its annual performance of the
"Nutcracker". The season runs from September to June.
Space Center
Houston
The Space Center is the visitors' center for the NASA Johnson Space
Center. Here visitors enjoy exhibits ranging from the history of manned
space flight to the future exploration of space. A tram will take you
off to see working areas, shuttle payload bays (used in practice) and a
Saturn rocket. The Kids' Space Place is a fun, interactive hands-on area
especially for children ages 3-11. Here they can touch moon rocks and
view a full-scale model of the space shuttle. An IMAX theatre provides
thrills for all ages.
Sesquicentennial Park
A wonderful city park presenting works of various artists, sculptors,
architects and over 1,000 local school children. The Park features seven
stainless steel columns measuring 70 feet each. The columns reflect the
city's foundations of technology, energy, medicine, manufacturing and
more. When lit at night from within, the display is magnificent. Located
on the banks of the Buffalo Bayou, the park was built in 1986 to
commemorate the 150th birthday of Houston. It is a serene and popular
area for visitors to stroll and enjoy. A three-story pavilion,
surrounded by relaxing waterfalls, makes the area even more attractive.
Bikers and walkers alike will enjoy the many trails winding throughout
the park.
|
Market Square Historic
District
This park area is filled with many old buildings and the Heritage Homes
Tours are a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon. Spanning an
area of 28 blocks, the Bagby/Walker area houses these lovely homes. The
oldest commercial structure in Houston is the Kennedy Bakery located at
813 Congress Ave. Another building of note is the Rice Hotel, located at
Main and Texas, where President John F. Kennedy spent a portion of his
last night. Entered on the National Register of Historic places in 1986,
this area was the original downtown of Houston. In addition to the homes
and buildings, visitors can enjoy the numerous restaurants and clubs.
The Alley Theatre
This gem of a theatre has been a popular Houston landmark for over 50
years. The Alley started life quite literally in an alley and has much
to offer. The Alley boldly experiments with a large variety of
productions for diverse audiences. "Pay-what-you-can" nights open the
theatre to all. Young playwrights can submit their works to the theatre
and many educational and community outreach programs are available.
College students apply for internships here to further their experience
in the field. The Alley also uses Spanish and sign language translators.
If you'd like a look behind the scenes, a backstage tour can be
arranged. This truly is a theatre with open arms!
Houston Museum of Natural Science
It's hard to know where to start first at this museum but a truly unique
experience can be found at the Cockrell Butterfly Center. There, you
will find over 1500 live butterflies from around the world in an indoor
rainforest setting. The Burke Baker Planetarium is a world of wonder for
everyone fascinated by astronomy. Weekend nights feature laser lights
shows accompanied by various musical selections. The Observatory is
world-famous, as well as an outstanding exhibition of dinosaur fossils
and bones. Settle down in the Wortham IMAX theatre and enjoy the huge
six-story screen. www.amns.org
Admiral Nimitz
Museum
Not too far from Houston, the Admiral Nimitz Museum presents the story
of Adm. Chester W. Nimitz and World War II in the Pacific. Uniformed
history interpreters relate stories of World War II and present
artifacts from the war. The indoor area houses quite a few exhibitions
but the 7-acre site has outdoor displays too. Allied and Japanese
aircraft, tanks and a working flame-thrower are just a few. The Nimitz
Museum is truly a unique and educational experience for the whole
family.
Six Flags Houston
Visit two great entertanment complexes side by side. Six Flags
WaterWorld offers hours of fun for all from water slides to a five-story
interactive water tree house. Go next door and thrill to the many rides
at SixFlags Astroworld. With more roller coasters than any other park in
Texas, this Six Flags will keep you "on a roll" for a long time. With
all the concerts, shows and restaurants, there's plenty of time to sit
back and relax before hitting those rides again!
Houston Astrodome, Astrohall, Astro Arena
One of the largest multi-entertainment complexes in the world, this
magnificent domed stadium is fully air-conditioned and can seat 60,000.
It's to the NFL Houston Oilers football team, the National League
Houston Astros baseball team, the Tigers of Texas Southern University,
the USFL Gamblers and the University of Houston's Cougars. Many other
forms of entertainment also take place under this roof including boxing,
rodeos and even conventions. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo takes
place in The Astrohall which is one of the largest exhibition centers.
The Astroarena has 6,000 theatre-type seats. The parking areas have
accommodation for 30,000 cars. |
