When the city of Houston was founded in 1836 and incorporated in 1837, its founders—John Kirby Allen and Augustus Chapman Allen—divided it into political geographic districts called "wards." The ward system, a precursor to today's City Council districts, was a common political tool of the early 19th century, and is still used in some American cities.
In 1839, Houston's civic leaders divided the city into four wards. The Fifth Ward was added in 1866 to accommodate the city's growth, and by the Sixth Ward in the following decade. The idea was not to have an equal number of residents in each but rather to draw lines along natural boundaries: Buffalo Bayou, Main Street, and Congress Street.
Today, the wards are a civic phenomenon, loosely defined by geography and with no direct bearing on city government.
Contents |
First Ward
Second Ward
Third Ward
- Main article: Third Ward, Houston, Texas
Fourth Ward
- Main article: Fourth Ward, Houston, Texas
Fifth Ward
- Main article: Fifth Ward, Houston, Texas
Sixth Ward
The Sixth Ward was created out of part of the northern Fourth Ward in 1876, and is the only ward that does not extend into downtown Houston's historical center, although a fraction of the ward is considered to be within the boundaries of downtown.
The Sixth Ward is in Texas's 18th congressional district.[1] Its current U.S. Representative is Sheila Jackson Lee.
From the 1980 U.S. Census to the 1990 Census, the population of the Sixth Ward declined by more than 1,000 people per square mile.[1]
The Sixth Ward is zoned to Houston ISD schools, which include Crockett Elementary School, Hogg Middle School, and Reagan High School.
Dow Elementary School moved to its Old Sixth Ward location at 1900 Kane Street in 1912 and closed in 1991-1993.[2] [3]
The Houston Police Department's Central Patrol Division [2] serves the neighborhood, and the Houston Fire Department operates Station 6 Sixth Ward.
Old Sixth Ward
The Sixth Ward is home to the oldest intact neighborhood in Houston, known as the "Old Sixth Ward." Apart from Galveston, the Old Sixth Ward has the greatest concentration of Victorian homes in the region.
Old Sixth Ward lies on the western edge of downtown Houston, bounded by Memorial Drive to the south, Glenwood Cemetery to the west, Washington Avenue to the north, and Houston Avenue to the east.
Old Sixth Ward is recognized for its historic homes. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, making it the first neighborhood in Houston to be placed on the Register. The Houston City Council followed suit on June 25, 1998, designating Old Sixth Ward a Historic District.
Although Old Sixth Ward contains many homes from the late 1800s, Houston's lax preservation laws [3], allowing demolition of most historic properties after a 90-day wait, may eventually eliminate this historic area. Many homes considered teardowns have been restored [4]. The Old Sixth Ward Neighborhood Association is working to save the historic housing stock for generations of Houstonians to come.
The Houston Press dubbed the Old Sixth Ward the 2006 "Best Hidden Neighborhood" [5].
Architecture styles
Old Sixth Ward housing stock evidences five main architectural styles:
Gulf Coast Colonial/Greek Revival style (1850–1890). These houses are usually five bay cottages with a full-length front porch tucked in under the main roof line. This style of house is predominantly found in southern Louisiana and coastal Texas. The style represents an adaptation of Greek Revival architecture popular in the northeast to the gulf coast climate.
Folk Victorian Style (1870–1910). These houses represent a vernacular attempt to adapt Victorian style architecture to the gulf coast climate. The houses featured locally made porch posts and gingerbread. In many cases the Folk Victorian house is actually a Gulf Coast Colonial cottage draped or altered with later Victorian elements.
Queen Anne Style (1880–1910). These houses are noted for their prominent gables, variety of shingle treatments, ornate factory-made millwork, abundance of stained-glass windows, and tall roof lines. These houses reflect a national trend in architecture that took the country by storm at the end of the 19th century.
Classical Revival Style (1895–1920). These houses are characterized by simple Greek columns, restrained exterior ornament, and wide roof overhangs. The period during which they were built is marked by the decline of Victorian extravagance and a new interest in the antiquities of Greece and Rome.
Bungalow Style (1900–1940). These houses reflect a new utilitarian trend in architecture. Bungalows are noted for their prominent porches, their lack of foyers, and their perfectly proportioned rooms.
External links
A map of the boundaries of the boundaries of the wards from a Houston Chronicle feature article on the wards can be found here: http://images.chron.com/content/news/photos/06/02/08/wards.pdf
References
- ^ Rodriguez, Lori. "Census tracks rapid growth of suburbia." Houston Chronicle. Sunday March 10, 1991. Section A, Page 1.
- ^ "School Histories: the Stories Behind the Names." Houston Independent School District.
- ^ Markley, Melanie. "32 schools hit enrollment cap." Houston Chronicle. Thursday September 26, 1991. A17. Retrieved on April 24, 2009.
External links
- Pride lives on in city's six historical wards. Jeannie Kever, Houston Chronicle. February 8, 2006. Last accessed November 19, 2006.
- Where the Wards are. Houston Chronicle. September 7, 2004. Last accessed November 19, 2006.
- Super Neighborhood # 63 Second Ward. Officially Recognized Super Neighborhood Councils, City of Houston. Last accessed November 19, 2006.
- About TSU > Community > Third Ward. Texas Southern University. Last accessed November 19, 2006.
- Super Neighborhood #67 Greater Third Ward
- Future development eyed for Lower Fifth Ward Houston Chronicle February 6, 2008
- Sixth Ward, Houston from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Fifth Ward Community Website
- First Ward Neighborhood Portrait
- OSWNAOSW Neighborhood Assoc.
- Sixth Ward
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