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Ezekiel Cullen Building Fire, University of Houston (1959)The Ezekiel Cullen Building, a centerpiece of the University o...
08/09/2025

Ezekiel Cullen Building Fire, University of Houston (1959)

The Ezekiel Cullen Building, a centerpiece of the University of Houston campus, suffered a damaging fire in 1959. The structure, known for its sleek lines and grand façade, was suddenly surrounded by smoke and flashing emergency lights. Students gathered at a safe distance, watching firefighters climb ladders and break windows to control the blaze. For many, the fire disrupted exams and classes, but the building’s symbolic value made the event even more emotional. Restoration began soon after, preserving much of the original style. Today, the building still stands, a little changed but full of history.

Engineers’ Building, Hughes Tool Company, Houston (1940)At the center of the Hughes Tool Company complex was the Enginee...
08/08/2025

Engineers’ Building, Hughes Tool Company, Houston (1940)

At the center of the Hughes Tool Company complex was the Engineers’ Building, a place where design and production came together. In the 1940s, Houston was growing fast, and Hughes Tool played a major role in the oil industry’s expansion. Inside the building, draftsmen and engineers drew up blueprints for drill bits and machinery used around the world. The structure itself was clean and modern for its time, built with strong lines and minimal decoration. It buzzed with energy from early morning until late evening. Some of the industry’s early innovations were born within those walls.

Sculpture Beside Sacred Heart Church, Houston (1940)Near the entrance of Sacred Heart Church in downtown Houston stood a...
08/08/2025

Sculpture Beside Sacred Heart Church, Houston (1940)

Near the entrance of Sacred Heart Church in downtown Houston stood a striking sculpture installed in the 1940s. The piece, made of weathered stone, depicted a saint in prayer and was placed to greet visitors just before they entered the sanctuary. Parishioners often paused by the sculpture on their way into Sunday mass. It became a quiet part of their weekly routine. Children would sit on the edge of its base while their parents chatted after services. Over time, the sculpture wore signs of age, with moss gathering in the crevices and rain softening its edges. Still, it remained a calm and steady part of the church grounds.

A. C. Burten Motor Co. Building, Houston (1930s)The A. C. Burten Motor Company was one of Houston’s early auto dealers, ...
08/08/2025

A. C. Burten Motor Co. Building, Houston (1930s)

The A. C. Burten Motor Company was one of Houston’s early auto dealers, operating during a time when cars were transforming American cities. Located near the heart of the city, the dealership sold Ford models and handled basic mechanical repairs. The building had wide garage doors and hand-painted signage that could be seen from the street. Inside, the smell of oil and rubber lingered as mechanics worked with basic tools. During weekends, salesmen lined up vehicles outside for passing customers. Car ownership was becoming a goal for many Houstonians, and places like Burten’s helped make it happen.

Benjamin Jesse Covington House, Houston (1930s)This modest home belonged to Dr. Benjamin Jesse Covington, one of the ear...
08/08/2025

Benjamin Jesse Covington House, Houston (1930s)

This modest home belonged to Dr. Benjamin Jesse Covington, one of the early Black physicians in Texas. Located in a quiet Houston neighborhood, the house stood as a symbol of his success and dedication to community service. Dr. Covington practiced medicine during a time when racial barriers were deeply entrenched, yet he earned the respect of patients across racial lines. The home itself reflected middle-class aspirations of the time, with its simple porch, wood-frame siding, and tidy yard. Neighbors recalled the family as generous and dignified. It was not just a residence, but a place where young professionals often gathered for advice and mentorship. Over time, it became a quiet landmark in Houston’s history of Black excellence.

Americana Building Under Construction, Houston (1960)This photo shows the Americana Building mid-construction, one of ma...
08/08/2025

Americana Building Under Construction, Houston (1960)

This photo shows the Americana Building mid-construction, one of many modern office towers reshaping Houston’s downtown in the 1960s. Steel frames stretch skyward while workers balance on beams, guiding concrete pours and heavy equipment. The project symbolized Houston’s growing economic power during the postwar years. Tall cranes filled the skyline, and the clatter of construction echoed between blocks. When completed, the building would house offices, possibly for energy companies or law firms. It marked a shift toward vertical growth in a city known for its sprawl.

Kennedy-Johnson Campaign Workers, Houston (1960)In the heat of the 1960 presidential election, these volunteers in Houst...
08/08/2025

Kennedy-Johnson Campaign Workers, Houston (1960)

In the heat of the 1960 presidential election, these volunteers in Houston hit the streets in support of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. They handed out flyers, spoke with residents, and organized neighborhood gatherings. Their work was crucial in energizing voters across the city. Wearing campaign buttons and broad smiles, the group represented a diverse mix of ages and backgrounds. Houston, like much of the South, was undergoing political shifts, and grassroots organizing played a major role. These workers believed their efforts could help turn the tide.

F. J. Schlueter Residence, Houston (1960s)This home, belonging to the Schlueter family, reflected middle-class comfort d...
08/08/2025

F. J. Schlueter Residence, Houston (1960s)

This home, belonging to the Schlueter family, reflected middle-class comfort during the 1960s. A woman is seen sitting peacefully on the patio, enjoying the calm afternoon sun. The house itself was built with modest brick and surrounded by neat landscaping, including trimmed hedges and flower beds. It sat in a quiet residential neighborhood where neighbors often waved from their porches. Inside, it was likely furnished with popular mid-century décor, including pastel walls and wooden furniture. Homes like this one formed the fabric of Houston’s suburban expansion.

Downtown Houston Skyline View (1950)This image likely captured a quiet day in downtown Houston around 1950. The streets ...
08/08/2025

Downtown Houston Skyline View (1950)

This image likely captured a quiet day in downtown Houston around 1950. The streets appear less crowded, and several of the city's mid-century towers are still under construction or recently completed. Cars parked along the curbs suggest a busy business district. Though not as vertical as it is today, the skyline already hinted at Houston’s ambition to become a major economic center. Most buildings had a functional design with little ornamentation, reflecting the era's architectural trends. The area was already a hub for commerce, banking, and oil companies.

Texas Portland Cement Company Office, Houston (1950s)In the 1950s, the Texas Portland Cement Company operated a small of...
08/08/2025

Texas Portland Cement Company Office, Houston (1950s)

In the 1950s, the Texas Portland Cement Company operated a small office that served as the hub for one of Houston’s key construction materials. Located on the city’s outskirts, the building was a modest structure with simple signage and a gravel lot out front. Trucks rolled in and out daily, delivering cement to job sites across the growing city. Inside, phones rang constantly as orders were placed and schedules arranged. The office staff managed the heavy logistics behind concrete roads, buildings, and bridges that shaped Houston's postwar boom.

Trailblazer Monorail Coach, Houston (1956)Inside the futuristic coach of Houston’s 'Trailblazer' monorail, passengers sa...
08/08/2025

Trailblazer Monorail Coach, Houston (1956)

Inside the futuristic coach of Houston’s 'Trailblazer' monorail, passengers sat in individual plastic seats that reflected the design trends of the atomic age. The streamlined cabin was compact, bright, and designed to showcase a modern way of moving people. The monorail was experimental, built to demonstrate the potential of new urban transit systems. Riders could look out wide windows as the car glided above traffic. Though it never developed into a full network, this early attempt showed that Houston was already exploring alternatives to the automobile. The idea was ahead of its time in a city soon to be dominated by freeways.

Second Baptist Church, Houston (1940s)Set against a growing Houston neighborhood, the original Second Baptist Church sto...
08/07/2025

Second Baptist Church, Houston (1940s)

Set against a growing Houston neighborhood, the original Second Baptist Church stood as both a spiritual and social anchor in the 1940s. The modest brick building with white trim reflected the humble but steady character of many Southern churches during the era. Sunday mornings saw families walking up the steps dressed in their best, while weeknights offered community events, choir rehearsals, and youth gatherings. It was a time when churches played an active role in local life beyond religious services. This early structure would eventually be replaced by larger campuses as the congregation grew alongside the city’s booming population.

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