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Houston Heights was one of the first streetcar subdivisions developed in Houston. The Omaha and South Texas Land Company purchased 1,750 acres northwest of the city of Houston in the early 1890's. They picked this site as it was a few feet higher than Houston, and this was believed to prevent the Yellow Fever epidemics that plagued Houston.
The suburb was laid-out in a traditional grid pattern, with 10,000 lots. The focus of the community was Heights Boulevard, divided by a 20-foot wide esplanade. On either side of the esplanade ran the Houston Heights Street Railway, moving commuters from their homes, to the shopping district at West 19th and Ashland, and to their work in Houston. Deed restrictions ensured that the grandest homes in the community would face Heights Boulevard, with smaller homes filling the streets behind.
Houston Heights was incorporated in 1896. By 1918, Houston Heights couldn’t keep up with the demands new families were placing on their schools. This led to the town asking the City of Houston to annex it.
The Heights Esplanade is still the focus of the Heights neighborhood. The esplanade is lined with palms, oaks and magnolias. On either side, homes mostly built from 1890-1920 face the esplanade. The houses are typically Queen Annes, Colonials, and Craftsmen bungalows. Most of these homes were built from early 20th century architectural pattern books. Although this isn’t a national historic district, several of the houses, as well as the esplanade itself, are on the NRHP.
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