PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE ASSOCIATION OF HOUSTON
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PROFESSIONAL TOUR GUIDE ASSOCIATION OF HOUSTON
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UPTOWN HOUSTON
*Williams Tower, located at 2800 South Post Oak Boulevard, was originally known as the Transco Tower. At 64 stories, it is the tallest building in the United States located outside a downtown area and was completed in 1983. The adjacent 64 foot Williams Water Wall not only provides a wonderful diversion, it also serves the purpose of camouflaging the cooling tower for the air-conditioning system that serves Williams Tower. Both Williams Tower and the Williams Water Wall were designed by architects Philip Johnson and John Burgee for developer Gerald Hines.
SACRED PLACES
*The oldest congregation in Houston still worshiping on its original site is Christ Church Cathedral. (Episcopal) The original structure was built in 1839 and the one that stands now was built in the late 1880s. Location is 1717 Travis.
*Annunciation Catholic Church located at 1618 Texas Avenue is the oldest Catholic Church in Houston and was built in the mid 1800s.
*Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, an early black congregation, is located at 500 Clay in the shadows of the Allen Center Buildings was begun in 1875 and completed in 1879.
*New Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral located at 1111 Saint Joseph Parkway is our newest Cathedral. Ziegler Cooper Architects designed the building that was begun in 2005 and completed in 2008.
*Just south of downtown is the Tien Hou Temple, a Chinese temple featuring carved dragon columns, altars, urns and other elements of Eastern religions, such as Buddhism and Taoism. Houston has several Asian American communities with the Chinese community being the largest.
*The Sri Meenakshi Temple is located in Pearland. Artisans and stone carvers traveled here from India to leave their mark on an elaborately designed set of buildings that appear like a mirage amidst the homes of suburbia.
GALVESTON
*Galveston Island was struck by a hurricane on September 8, 1900. It has become known as “The Great Storm” or “Isaac’s Storm”. As many as 6,000 (depending on the account that you read) people lost their lives. A second equally horrific storm hit the island in 1915; but the island had prepared by building a seawall, raising the height of the island and much more. This time only 9 people were listed as having lost their lives.
*Before the 1900 hurricane, Galveston was considered “The Wall Street of the Southwest”.
*Galveston was the port of entry for thousands of European immigrants and was considered “The Ellis Island of the Southwest” at one time.
*The Strand District has one of the most significant collections of late 19th Century commercial buildings in the country. It is currently a highly attractive area for visitors interested in Historic Preservation.
*Moody Gardens are located in Galveston and are distinguished by three glass pyramids. This is also the site of Texas’s largest aquarium.
*Galveston is a city of “Firsts” for the State of Texas: the first electric light, first Catholic convent and first medical college, first continuously operating news paper, first baseball game west of Mississippi.
*The Bishop’s Palace is the only structure in the state that is on the American Institute of Architects’ list of the nation’s 100 outstanding homes.
THE WOODLANDS
*The Woodlands community in Montgomery County opened in 1974. It was developed by George Mitchell who was also instrumental in major developments in Houston and on Galveston Island. It is named The Woodlands because the entire community is nestled in a woodland setting. As you drive the parkways and major streets, you are not even aware of the homes because they are set just behind the trees. A lot of the buildings are mirrored glass and seem to disappear as they reflect the trees left standing between them and the roadways
*The Woodlands now boast a recreational water way, an outdoor performing arts center, convention centers, a major mall, a satellite of the Houston Museum of Natural Science and a Park area currently under development.
The current population of the Woodlands is approximately 70,000.
TRANSPORTATION
*The original working name of Houston’s largest airport was Jetero. The airport open in 1969 as Intercontinental Airport-Houston (IAH). In 1997 the named changed to George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Covering 10,000 acres it sees over 800 departures daily with over 115 domestic destinations and over 70 international destinations. In 2006 it processed 43 million passengers.
The airport system includes two additional airports: William P. Hobby and Ellington Field.
*January 1, 2004, brought the beginning of regular light rail service to Houston with 7.5 miles of track serving the University of Houston-Downtown, the Central Business District, Midtown, the Museum District, Rice University, the Texas Medical Center and Reliant Park.
*Houston TranStar is a vital part of the Transportation coordination in the Greater Houston Region. Created in 1996, TranStar coordinates transportation and emergency management in normal situations and in the case of natural and man-made crisis. Four agencies have signed an agreement to join in this undertaking. They are The Texas Department of Transportation, Harris County, The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County and The City of Houston.
“FM” as a road designation stands for “Farm to Market”, even though, today, many such roads are located in very urban areas.
SHOPPING
*Houston is an internationally acclaimed shopping destination that includes deluxe malls with hundreds of stores, classy European-style shopping centers, eclectic shopping districts in historic neighborhoods and bargain filled outlet centers.
*The Galleria is the fourth largest mall in the nation and is the crown jewel of Houston shopping. It includes 375 stores and shops, an ice rink, 2 hotels and numerous eateries.
HARRIS COUNTY
*Harris County, Texas is larger than the State of Rhode Island. Harris County contains 1,788 square miles; Rhode Island contains 1,231 square miles, making Harris County about one-third larger.
*If Harris County were a state it would rank 27th in the United States. Population in 2004 was 3,644,285.
*Seven other counties touch the boundaries of Harris County: Montgomery, Waller, Liberty, Chambers, Brazoria, Galveston, and Fort Bend. SPORTS
* There have been two Super Bowls in Houston.
a). Super Bowl VIII – was held in Rice Stadium on January 13, 1974. The Miami Dolphins defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24-7.
b.) Super Bowl XXXVIII was held at Reliant Stadium on February 1, 2004. The final was New England 32, Carolina 29.
* Harris County Judge Roy Hofheinz was the driving force behind the construction of the world’s first domed stadium, the Astrodome. The “eighth wonder of the world” was opened on April 12, 1965. * The Houston Colt .45s changed their name to the Houston Astros when they moved into the Astrodome.
* Drayton McLane is the sole owner of the Houston Astros. He purchased the team in December 1992.
* The Houston Astros moved to their new ballpark in downtown Houston on March 30, 2000 (opening day was April 7, 2000). It was originally called The Ballpark at Union Station but soon sold naming rights and became known as Enron Field. In early 2002 the Astros bought back the naming rights and called it Astros Field until June of 2002 when Minute Maid bought the naming rights.
* The replica 1860’s era locomotive atop the west wall of Minute Maid Park pays tribute to the fact that the ballpark site was once the site of one of Houston’s main train stations, Union Station.
* The Houston Astros played in the World Series in 2005 hosting the first World Series game ever played in Texas. * Houston lost its NFL team in 1996 when the Houston Oilers moved temporarily to Memphis, Tennessee before moving to their new permanent home in Nashville. Coincidental with the move, the team changed its name to the Tennessee Titans.
* Reliant Stadium opened on August 24, 2002 when the Houston Texans hosted the Miami Dolphins. It is also the home of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. * Billionaire Houston businessman Bob McNair owns the Houston Texans NFL football team, which joined the NFL in 2002.
* Since opening in October 2003, Toyota Center is home to the NBA’s Houston Rockets and the AHL’s Houston Aeros and formerly the WNBAs Houston Comets. Toyota Center also plays host to the nation’s top concerts and touring shows. * Les Alexander, a Florida businessman owns the Houston Rockets and formerly owned the Houston Comets, which was disbanded in December, 2008.
* The Houston Rockets won the NBA championship title in consecutive years 1994 and 1995. These were the first major sports championships in the city’s history.
* The Houston Comets won the first four WNBA championships in 1997 to 2000. They were disbanded in December, 2008.
* The Houston Dynamo was formed in 2006 and participates in the Major League Soccer organization. They won back to back MLS Cup championships in their first two seasons. Their current home is Robertson Stadium located at the University of Houston but negotiations are underway to construct a new downtown stadium for their use.
*The first Houston Marathon was held on December 30, 1972 and had 73 finishers. The 2009 marathon was run on January 18, 2009 and had 5,348 finishers. * Gulf Greyhound Park is the place for live greyhound racing. It feature’s four levels of dining with race viewing options.
* Sam Houston Race Park features Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing as well as hosting concerts, Cirque du Soleil, car shows and many other diverse events.
* The Houston Grand Prix was run on downtown Houston streets from 1998 to 2001 and was contested by CART racing. The race was moved to Reliant Park from 2006 to 2007 when Champ Car World Series became the sanctioning body.
* The Shell Houston Open has been played in Houston since its debut in 1946 at River Oaks Country Club. It has played at several venues in and around Houston and is currently contested at the Redstone Golf Club in Humble, Texas. MUSEUMS AND CULTURE
* The Museum of Fine Arts – Houston (MFA-H) www.mfah.org was founded in 1900. Originally called Houston Public School Art League, a group of civic leaders organized it for the “encouragement of art and culture in the public school system”. It is the sixth largest art museum in the nation in terms of exhibition space.
* William Ward Watkin designed the MFA-H’s original building that opened its doors to the public in 1924.
* The MFA-H is the owner and curator of the home of Ms. Ima Hogg. Ms Hogg donated her estate, Bayou Bend, located at 2940 Lazy Lane in River Oaks, to the MFA-H in 1957, eight years before her death. It was not opened to the public until 1966.
*The Houston Museum District boosts seventeen museums with others that are close to the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston being: Museum of Health and Medical Science www.mhms.org, the Contemporary Arts Museum www.mhms.org, the Houston Museum of Natural Science www.hmns.org, the Holocaust Museum www.hmh.org, and the Houston Children’s Museum www.cmhouston.org. In addition, there are numerous other museums and galleries located outside of the museum district.
*The Menil Collection www.menil.org houses private artwork acquired by John and Dominique de Menil. Mrs. de Menil was a member of the Schlumberger family.
*The Rothko Chapel www.rothkochapel.org is named for the artist, Mark Rothko, noted for his dark and somber works. Fourteen of Rothko’s paintings are displayed in the Rothko Chapel, the largest collection of his works at one site.
*The Lawndale Art Center www.lawndaleartcenter.org features the contemporary works of Houston area artists.
*The Art Car Parade www.artcarmuseum.org is held annually in conjunction with the Houston International Festival.
* Houston’s annual Azalea Trail www.riveroaksgardenclub.org tour of homes and gardens is held in the River Oaks area each spring.
*The Blaffer Art Gallery www.blaffergallery.org is located on the main campus of the University of Houston.
*Folk art projects abound in Houston: the Orange Show www.orangeshow.org, the Beer Can House www.orangeshow.org, and the Flower Man’s House www.roadsideamerica/story/7022.
*The Orange Show, located at 2401 Munger south of downtown, was created by the former postman, Jeff McKissack, who was very partial to the orange. He turned his property into a showplace – a tribute to the orange. It is considered a folk art masterpiece.
* “Salt Marsh”, a mural by Houston artist Dr. John Biggers, is displayed at the University of Houston-Downtown campus. Other Biggers’ works can be found at the Wortham Center, the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston, and on the campus of Texas Southern University.
* “Seven Wonders”, a collection of seven metal sculptures done by Mel Chin, is located in Sesquicentennial Park in downtown Houston.
* The Hobby Center www.thehobbycenter.org for the Performing Arts opened in May 2002. It as two theaters: the Fayez Sarofim Hall with 2,650 seats and the Selim Zilkha Hall with 500 seats. It is home to Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS www.tuts.com) and the Broadway in Houston Series.
* In addition to the Houston Ballet www.houstonballet.org and the Houston Grand Opera www.houstongrandopera.org, other performing art groups that utilize the Wortham Center www.houstontx.gov/worthamcenter are Da Camera of Houston and the Gilbert & Sullivan Society.
* The Houston Symphony www.houstonsymphony.org performs at Jones Hall, Miller Outdoor Theatre, and at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion located in The Woodlands.
* Local artist, David Adickes, sculpted the large statue of Sam Houston in the Visitor’s Center located inside of City Hall.
* “Buffalo Soldiers” is nickname for African-American soldiers that originated with Cheyenne warriors in 1867. The actual Cheyenne translation was Wild Buffalo. The nickname was given out of respect for the fierce fighting ability of the 10th U.S. Calvary. Over time, “Buffalo Soldiers” became a generic term for all African-American soldiers. The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum www.buffalosoldiermuseum.org is located at 1834 Southmore in Houston’s museum district.
* Houston is one of only five US cities (New York City, Chicago, Seattle and San Francisco) with resident professional companies in four disciplines of the performing arts – ballet, opera, symphony and theatre.
* The Alley Theatre www.alleytheatre.org is one of the oldest resident theater companies in the country and was 1996 Tony Award winner for outstanding regional company.
* Houston Grand Opera www.houstongrandopera.org is the only opera company in the world with Grammy, Emmy and Tony Awards.
* The Houston Symphony www.houstonsymphony.org was founded in 1913 and is one of the oldest performing arts organizations in the country employing about 90 full-time musicians and performing approximately 170 concerts annually.
* The Houston Fire Museum www.houstonfiremuseum.org includes the building that housed Houston’s Fire Station No. 7 in 1898. This was the first fire station built by city after the department became a fully paid entity.
* National Museum of Funeral History www.nmfh.org opened its doors in 1992 under the direction of Mr. Robert L. Waltrip, the founder, who wanted to educate and preserve the rich heritage of the funeral industry.
* The Heritage Society www.heritagesociety.org is located on 19 acres of parkland known as Sam Houston Park and is home to 8 historic structures dating from 1823 to 1905.
* The Museum of Printing History www.printingmuseum.org was founded in 1979 and had its official opening in 1982. The museum is dedicated to preserving the history of printing.
* The Weather Museum www.sxresearch.org was established in 2006.
* Dunham Bible Museum was established in 1997 and has a collection of bibles from the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum is located on the campus of Houston Baptist University.
* The Houston Telephone Museum www.houstontelephonemuseum.com was established in 1966 and has an extensive collection of telephone equipment.
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
* The University of Houston www.uh.edu, founded in 1927 as a junior college and a division of Houston Independent School District, became a University in 1934 and opened its first permanent building in 1939. Then in 1963 the University of Houston became a state institute.
* In the late 1940’s, the Port City Stockyards were located across the street from the University of Houston’s Main Campus.
* The oldest educational television station in the United States, KUHT-TV Channel 8, is operated by the University of Houston.
* The Moores Opera House can be found on the campus of the University of Houston.
SPACE CENTER HOUSTON & THE CLEAR LAKE AREA
* In 1961 NASA announced Houston would be the location of its new Manned Spacecraft Center. In 1973 the name was changed to Johnson Space Center in honor of our late President Lyndon B. Johnson, a Texas native.
* NASA started building the MSC in July 1962 and the original 7 astronauts were immediately transferred here from Virginia. That is when Houston became known as Space City U.S.A.
* Space Center Houston is the official visitors center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
* There are no shuttle launches in Houston, but JSC’s Mission Control is where all missions are run from seconds after launch to the landing.
* JSC is where the Space Shuttle program and the International Space Station program are managed and where the astronauts receive training.
* Johnson Space Center is the largest of eleven NASA United States installations.
* Ellington Air Field, a former airbase of the US Air Force, was a military training base during World War I and World War II. The property is owned by the city of Houston and is currently used by military, NASA aircraft, commercial and general aviation. Texas Air National Guard, Texas Army National Guard and US Coast Guard all maintain a presence at Ellington. This is also where Air Force lands whenever it visits Houston.
* Located near Ellington are the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) and the Sonny Carter Training Facility. This is where astronauts prepare for space missions involving space walks or extravehicular activity (EVA). The NBL simulates zero gravity.
* In 1969, “Houston” was the first word spoken from the moon. The Apollo II mission established a place in history for the city when astronaut Neil Armstrong spoke the now-famous line, “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.”
* The Clear Lake area is considered the “Boating Capital of Texas” and is the third largest pleasure boat basin in the U.S with more than 9,000 marina slips.
* The Kemah Boardwalk offers dining, amusement rides, and interactive dancing fountain, hotel and shopping.
* Seabrook is an old fishing village known for its fresh seafood straight off the boats. The town was established in 1896 an appealed to farmers, fisherman and local merchants along with a few seasonal visitors.
* Gulf Greyhound Park is the world’s largest and No. 1 greyhound racing operation. |
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