Though surrounded by modern skyscrapers, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church remains an enduring landmark for Houston's African American history. Built in 1879 after four years of construction, Antioch Missionary is the first and oldest Black Baptist church in Houston. Its first minister was John "Jack" Henry Yates (1828-1897), who was an influential member of the city's African American community. He was born into slavery but was finally freed in 1865 after emancipation was enacted in Texas. The church building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a simple Gothic structure featuring a tower and stained-glass windows.
Located in Sam Houston Park, the Heritage Society maintains nine historic structures dating from 1823 to 1905. The Heritage Society was founded by local historians in an effort to save the Kellum-Noble House which had been built in 1847 and was threatened with demolition. The Society also operates a museum at the corner of Bagby and Lamar Streets.
Sam Houston Park became the city’s first public park in 1899. Nathaniel Kelly Kellum originally purchased the thirteen acres of land in 1844 and 1845. Kellum built a brick factory, a tannery, and his home on the land. Zerviah Noble subsequently purchased the Kellum-Noble House and land. Mrs. Zerviah Noble ran one of Houston’s first private schools out of the house.
Constructed in 1926, this Houston library was renamed in 1951 to honor of Julia Bedford Ideson, the first librarian hired by the city of Houston who was largely responsible for this building. This building served as the city's main library until 1976. The building is now home to the Houston Metropolitan Research Center and its collection of items related to Texas history and local history. Researchers and genealogists are welcome to utilize the center's collections which are full of one-of-a-kind artifacts such as rare books, manuscripts, diaries, historic newspapers, artwork, and photographs
Located in Sam Houston Park, this marker describes the history of what was once the Republic of Texas. During Texas’ time as an independent republic (March 2, 1836-February 19, 1846), Houston served for a brief time as the Republic’s capital under the domain of President Sam Houston before the next president, Mirabeau B. Lamar, moved the capital to Austin in 1839. The republic gained independence from Mexico in 1836. Its land included all of present-day Texas as well as portions of present-day Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico.
Houston City Hall was built in 1939 with funding from the Works Progress Administration. From 1841 to 1939, Houston's municipal government was headquartered at Old Market Square It was destroyed by fire in the 1870s, and also in 1901, and rebuilt each time. In those days, City Hall was part of the lively commercial atmosphere of the Square. However, by the 1920s, the city leaders decided the site was no longer appropriate for their needs. In 1929, the city's planning commission urged the establishment of a new city hall but the Great Depression reduced funding and the project was delayed until a federal WPA grant helped finance construction between 1938-1939. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. It was designed by Joseph Finger in the Art Deco style, appearing classical yet modern in appearance.
This marker commemorates the National Women's Conference on November 18-21, 1977, which was held here in the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (then called the Sam Houston Coliseum). The conference was the first large-scale political gathering of women since the Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. Around 2,000 delegates from all fifty states and six territories participated, and between 15,000-20,000 others were present as observers. Generally speaking, the purpose of the conference was to address the discrimination against women. Participants assessed the role of women in American society by examining several issues including reproductive rights, sexual orientation, national healthcare, education reform, and the Equal Rights Amendment—the proposed amendment to the Constitution that would guarantee equal rights for all Americans regardless of gender. The conference produced a pamphlet called the National Plan of Action that listed 26 demands to improve women's lives. The conference contributed significantly to the women's rights movement and also to Houston's social and cultural development.
This historical marker commemorates the 1928 Democratic National Convention, which was held here on this site from June 26-29 in a building called Sam Houston Hall. Houston was chosen thanks in large part to local businessman Jess H. Jones. An influential member of the Democratic Party in Texas, Jones traveled to Washington D.C. to deliver a certified check for $200,000 to enter the city's bid the Democratic National Committee. The marker is located on Ruck Street next to the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.
Architecture Center Houston (ArCH) is the home of the Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and the Architecture Center Houston Foundation. The 5,000-square-foot space among others includes a gallery for rotating architecture-related exhibits. ArCH also leads weekend walking tours of some of Houston's most interesting neighborhoods.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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This short walk along Bagby Street in downtown Houston includes several landmark buildings such as the Julia Bedford Ideson Building, City Hall, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, and the Heritage Society. The tour also includes the Architecture Center Houston and numerous historical markers.
