Bayou HIstory Walk | Thursday Oct 28, 2010
Two weekends ago I went on a history walk given by Greater Houston Preservation Alliance. The tour explored the history of Buffalo Bayou that led the Allen Brothers to settle the city. I have been on this tour before, but I rarely pass up any walking tour that takes place downtown. I love walking around downtown.
The clock in the tower was originally in Houston's fourth city hall and after it was put in storage it was lost for many years. It was finally discovered in a town an hour away from Houston. I remember seeing this clock growing up when I would go to my grandparents farm. It was always a trip marker for me. It's funny that I was looking at a piece of Houston history all that time. The clock is now back where it belongs, back at the site of the old city hall building.
The standalone building used to be a part of the Houston Ice and Brewing Company. A huge flood in the 1930s pulled the back of the building off and it still has the jagged edge to show for it. We found out on the tour that it is now one person's very posh residence. I'd love a peek inside that building.
Another fragment of the Houston Ice and Brewing Company, also known as the Magnolia Brewery. This map lays out the different spaces using that old building.
The University of Houston Downtown. The building was originally built as a warehouse for goods coming off the bayou and trains then picked up those goods and transported them around the country. I love that a train was approaching while we were hearing about the history of the building.
The Texas Commerce Motor Bank designed by IM Pei and associates in the 1980.
And back to the newly renovated Market Square Park. I said once the cool weather arrived this would be a great place to go sit and read. But October has been more summer hot than fall cool. There should finally be some cooler air this evening. Thank goodness!
Tags: 35mm architecture downtown film ghpa history olympus_xa walk
Galleries: Downtown Houston
- Canon
- CanoScan 8800F
