Amnesia Houston seeks to encourage a greater commitment to telling the story of Houston, preserving its cultural and architectural history, and supporting the landmarks that make Houston fun and unique.
In September, we reported that only two honest-to-goodness Houstonians have appeared on a U.S. Postage Stamp. Coincidentally, 2011 saw the commemoration of these first two – Oveta Culp Hobby and Barbara Jordan. In September’s article, we also explained Sam Houston’s residency and two appearances on a stamp. Naturally, Amnesia Houston got to thinking about why are there not more Houstonians celebrated on U.S. Postage.
Since 1847, the U.S. Postal Service has featured prominent Americans (and a few non-Americans) on commemorative stramps. While the U.S. Postal Service has yet to honor a living person, deceased U.S. Presidents are chosen to be on a stamp much faster than non-presidents. Recently, the U.S. Postal Service announced their intention to allow living Americans on stamps (Amnesia Houston is against this proposal).
Below is a list of nationally-prominent, deceased Houstonians (some native, some short-term, some transplants) who might be worth their own stamp. Please vote for your choice. We’ll post the results soon.
On September 16, 2011, the U.S. Postal Service honors the late United States Congresswoman Barbara Jordan with a stamp. The first Southern black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan represented Houston’s 18th District for three terms, from 1973 to 1979. She was a champion of the disenfranchised, and an advocate for all Houstonians. Former President Lyndon Johnson was a friend and political mentor, Governor Jimmy Carter considered inviting her to be his running mate, and President Bill Clinton discussed nominating her to the Supreme Court. Anyone who ever heard her knew in their bones that she communicated with authority, authenticity, and the fire of truth. She gave a voice to those without, and spoke truth to power.
None would dispute the choice of the late, great Barbara Jordan, but surprisingly, she is only the second Houstonian to have that honor.
On April 15, 2011, Oveta Culp Hobby became the first Houstonian to be featured on a stamp. Even though she was married to former Governor of Texas William Hobby, Oveta Culp Hobby ultimately took her own path. During World War II, she was the first commanding officer in the Women’s Army Corps, which allowed women to serve in the then-restricted U.S. Army. President Eisenhower appointed her Secretary of the newly-created Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (now the Department of Health and Human Services). Like many noteworthy Houstonians, Hobby was not born here; and, although living a life of privilege, she never ceased serving Houston and the nation.
The U.S. Postal Service has issued stamps commemorating presidents and other noteworthy Americans, achievements, and events since 1847. However, individuals must be deceased for at least 10 years before the Postal Service will honor them – deceased U.S. Presidents are an exception and typically receive the honor shortly after death.
And just in case you were wondering, Sam Houston has been featured on a stamp twice – first in 1936 alongside Stephen F. Austin commemorating the Alamo, and then solo in 1964. In spite of the obvious name connection, many do not consider Sam Houston a Houstonian. Actually, he never lived here full-time, even when he was President of the Republic of Texas and the newly-founded town of Houston was the capital (then relocated to Austin in 1839). Following his first term as president, he represented San Augustine in the Texas House of Representatives. Later, he lived in Austin as president again (and as governor), in Washington DC as senator, and finally retired to Huntsville.
The Telegraph and Texas Register ran the following advertisement for “The Town of Houston.” SITUATED at the head of navigation, on the west bank of Buffalo Bayou, is now for the first time brought to public notice because, until now, the proprietors were not ready to offer it to the public, with the advantages of capital and improvements.
The town of Houston is located at a point on the river which must ever command the trade of the largest and richest portions of Texas. By reference to the map,it will be seen that the trade of San Jacinto,Spring Creek,New Kentucky and the Brazos,above and below Fort Bend,must necessarily come to this place,and will at this time warrant the employment of at least ONE MILLION DOLLARS of capital,and when the rich lands of this country shall be settled,a trade will flow to it,making it,beyond all doubt,the great interior commercial emporium of Texas.
The town of Houston is distant 15 miles from the Brazos River,30 miles,a little North of East,from San Felippe,60 miles from Washington,40 miles Lake Creek,30 miles South West from New Kentucky,and 15 miles by water and 8 or 10 miles by land above Harrisburg. Tide water runs to this place and the lowest depth of water is about six feet. Vessels from New Orleans or New York can sail without obstacle to this place,and steamboats of the largest class can run down to Galveston in 8 or 10 hours,in all seasons of the year. It is but a few hours sail down the bay,where one may take excursions of pleasure and enjoy the luxuries of fish,foul,oysters and sea bathing. Galveston harbor being the only one in which vessels drawing a large draft of water can navigate,must necessarily render the Island the great naval and commercial depot of the country.
The town of Houston must be the place where arms,ammunitions and provisions for the government will be stored,because,situated in the very heart of the country,it combines security and means of easy distribution,and a national armory will no doubt very soon be established at this point.
There is no place in Texas more healthy,having an abundance of excellent spring water,and enjoying the sea breeze in all its freshness. No place in Texas possesses so many advantages for building,having Pine,Ash,Cedar and Oak in inexhaustible quantities;also the tall and beautiful Magnolia grows in abundance. In the vicinity are fine quarries of stone.
Nature appears to have designated this place for the future seat of Government. It is handsome and beautifully elevated,salubrious and well watered,and now in the very heart or centre of population,and will be so for a length of time to come. It combines two important advantages:a communication with the coast and foreign countries,and with different portions of the Republic. As the country shall improve,rail roads will become in use,and will be extended from this point to the Brazos,and up the same,also from this up to the head waters of San Jacinto,embracing that rich country,and in a few years the whole trade of the upper Brazos will make its way into Galveston Bay through this channel.
Preparations are now making to erect a water Saw Mill,and a large Public House for accommodation,will soon be opened. Steamboats now run in this river,and will in short time commence running regularly to the Island.
The proprietors offer lots for sale on moderate terms to those who desire to improve them,and invite the public to examine for themselves.
Three new Historic Districts were approved by Houston City Council on June 29,2011. Glenbrook Valley,Heights South,and Woodlands Heights join Houston’s other 16 Historic Districts.
Of note is Mid-Century Modern Glenbrook Valley which is outside of Loop 610.
And check out Amnesia Houston’s map of all of Houston’s Historic Districts.
We’ve all wondered it. Maybe even more so here in Amnesia City. Now,there’s a new way to combat amnesia – The What Was There Project. www.whatwasthere.com
This new,online service allows users to upload old photos of buildings and places,and then overlap them with a current photo of the same site – taken from Google Street View. Google can get fairly close to the exact spot where the first photo was taken.
The jump between now and then is heightened by a Fade Slide Bar that allows viewers to transition between past and present.
They claim proudly their service can “provide a new human experience of time and space – a virtual time machine of sorts that allows users to navigate familiar streets as they appeared in the past.”
And if you’re not satisfied with Google’s Street View,then the iPhone application allows you to go to the exact location and find the optimal view through your camera to match the original photo;then,fade between former and current.
The list of Houston sites is small,so check back periodically. Amnesia Houston is currently uploading old photos from around town.
While the Harris County Commissioners Court has yet to make a recommendation for the future of the Astrodome,we thought we would share some images from construction and architectural drawings of Houston’s most famous landmark.
Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture,Planning and Preservation created this site for their project Housing the Spectacle,The Emergence of America’s Domed Superstadiums 1965 –1992. They track the growth of so-called “Superstadiums” in the second half of 20th century America,and the people whose personalities shaped them. The Astrodome is included in case studies of other domes including the 1970 U.S. Pavilion at Expo 70 in Osaka,the 1981 Minneapolis Metrodome,the 1988 Seoul Olympic Fencing and Gymnastics Arenas,and the 1992 Georgia Dome.
Many of these images capture the immensity of the Astrodome that cannot be fully measured by merely standing on the outside.
On March 23,2011,Houston City Council approved (or in some cases re-approved) the following Historic Districts: Avondale West,Boulevard Oaks,First Montrose Commons,and Norhill. In November 2010,all districts were ordered to be reconsidered respecting a pure majority of homeowner request. These requests are submitted to the Planning Department for review,and the Planning Department makes their recommendation on the boundaries to City Council.
Also,Heights East and Heights West will remain under review,with no decision on their boundaries.
Proposed Historic Districts Heights South,Glenbrook Valley,and Woodland Heights will be decided on this summer.
