โOur Townโ: The story of Acres Homes, Houstonโs historic community
Check out the rich history and ongoing struggles of Acres Homes, a historic African American community in Houston. From its early days as a rare opportunity for African American families to own substantial acreage to its current challenges of inequality and limited city services, Acres Homes has a story that deserves to be heard. #AcresHomes #HoustonCommunity #EqualityMatters
Our Town: Sunnysideโs history and residents today who are making a difference
The neighborhood was carved out specifically for the African American community, according to a City of Houston โSuper Neighborhoodโ report. The idea of so-called โrestricted communitiesโ was born out of racism and segregation.
Help save KPRC 2, Texas history: Hereโs how to donate your old A/V equipment to help preservation effort
The Texas Archive of the Moving Image is calling for donations of video decks and other equipment in the organizationโs undertaking of preserving Texasโ digital history, which includes thousands of archived KPRC 2 tapes.
Discovery of Titanic was like finding treasure for historians, collectors
Tuesday marks the anniversary of a significant discovery made in an ocean: Sept. 1 is the 35th anniversary of the remains of the Titanic being discovered in the Atlantic, an occasion that brought headlines around the world in 1985.
Peek inside the DeLorean Motor Company headquarters in Humble
The car made famous by the movie โBack to the Futureโ is headed to the future with its first new model in 40 years. That is right, a new DeLorean has been announced and in anticipation of its arrival, Houston Life headed to Classic DeLorean in Humble to take a look at a bit of the companyโs history.
Texas time machine: Step back in time with these vintage photos of Big Bend National Park
Located along a distinctive bend of the Rio Grande on the U.S.-Mexico border, the 801,832-acre wonderland of gorges, mountain peaks, canyons and mesas known as Big Bend National Park is often referred to as Texasโ Gift to the Nation.
A look at some of the worldโs major crowd disasters
Fans at a Houston music festival surged toward the stage during a performance by rapper Travis Scott, triggering panic in the crowd and leaving at least eight people dead and many more injured, authorities said. Hereโs a look at some of the major crowd disasters in recent decades:
The haunted history behind Deanโs Downtown, the spooky Houston bar with plenty of boos
They say the more spirits you drink, the more spirits you see, and youโll definitely want some liquid courage to brave this historic haunt in the heart of Houston. Located near the corner of Preston and Main St., Deanโs Downtown boasts a rich history dating back more than 120 years. Today, the former department store turned bar is still a hot spot for activity, and we donโt just mean for happy hour. Katie Harrison, Operations Manager of Nightly Spirits, shared her expertise on the historic building.
โCandy Manโ Dean Corll was shot dead 48 years ago. Texas EquuSearch will soon begin searching for the remains of any additional victims
48 years ago, Dean Corll, one of the countryโs most prolific serial killers, was shot dead at his home in Pasadena, Texas. Texas EquuSearch announced Sunday it will soon begin searching for the remains of any additional victims.
โThe power of living historyโ: Meet the woman whoโs helping to preserve Texasโ Black history
The gift of storytelling is an art form that has the ability to entertain, educate and even heal. Naomi Mitchell Carrier has been using her talents to teach a generation through powerful performances. From writing and composing the renowned historical musical โI Am Annie Maeโ to founding the Texas Center for African American Living History (TCAALH), Carrier is helping to lead the charge to preserve Texasโ Black history and has no plans of slowing down.
Why did it take so long for Fatherโs Day to be created?
On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring the second Sunday of each May would be โa public expressions of our love and reverence for the mothers of our country,โ also known as, the creation of Motherโs Day.
5 of Houstonโs oldest bakeries, dessert destinations
In Houstonโs food scene, high value is often placed on innovation, novelty and aesthetics -on the most Insta-worthy menu items, the most unique dining experience or the latest foodie fad. It is no wonder, then, that so many of the cityโs oldest bakeries and dessert shops have disappeared.
Tulsa Race Massacre, 100 years later: Why it happened and why itโs still relevant today
Just decades after slavery in the United States left Black Americans in an economic and societal deficit, one bright spot stood out in Tulsa, Oklahoma โ its Greenwood District, known as the โBlack Wall Street,โ where Black business leaders, homeowners, and civic leaders thrived.
51 years later, Apollo 13 astronauts reflect on historic mission
On April 11, 1970, three astronauts and a team here on Earth dared to attempt what was expected to be the third moon landing. However, just shy of 56 hours into the mission, the crew experienced a problem that would turn into a full-fledged effort to get the crew back to Earth alive.
$15 dollar minimum wage: What would it mean?
What are the pros and cons associated with a 15 dollar minimum wage increase? Dr. Joyce Beebe is an economist and Fellow in Public Finance at the Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. Yates Museum works to purchase and rehab properties in Freedmenโs Town. Yates Museumยท Website: https://www.rbhy.org/Catherine Roberts, Co-Founder/Board Member, Rutherford B.H. Yates Museumยท Website: https://www.rbhy.org/
These Houston podcasters are sharing black history to a new generation
HOUSTON โ The figure of Martin Luther King is so pivotal, that continues to be an important topic of conversation for a local podcast. Itโs called Gentlemenโs History Hour and its hosted by Equality and Rob Jay 10X. They chatted with Houston Life about this remarkable project and what they want people to know about Dr. King on this important holiday. Gentlemen's History Hour Podcast (Gentlemen's History Hour Podcast)In the podcast, the duo breaks down the current state of African American culture in a quick and informative conversation. The Gentlemenโs History Hour podcast airs every Thursday at 11am via Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
31 Houston-area eateries that have stood the test of time
In Houstonโs restaurant scene, high value is often placed on innovation, novelty and newness -on the trendiest restaurant, the most unique dining experience or the latest foodie fad. His children own and operate the only Christieโs restaurant location still operating. Texas barbecue legend John Davis and his wife Leila opened the historic Houston restaurant in 1935 as Shepherd Drive Bar-B-Q. The eatery still operated out of its original location, situated at 7006 I-45 South at Woodridge. Following the success of its original location, several additional locations followed and a local fried chicken empire was born.
A former Astroworld employee reminisces about the most coveted summer job in Houston
A job at AstroWorld was the hottest thing a teenager could do in Houston in the โ80s. But when our school bus passed by AstroWorld, I often stared at the spectacular rides tucked behind the gate. AstroWorld was ours; it belonged to the children of Houston, not the world or even Texas at large, although we were willing to share. As a child, I remember the sights, sounds, and smells at AstroWorld constantly changing with each new turn in the park. In addition to manning the games and rides, AstroWorld workers were constantly hawking some candy or treat for a few bucks.
Live like royalty: This Texas castle is up for grabs-- but, itโll cost you a kingโs ransom
Terrell had become fascinated by the French chateaus and Belgium castles he had seen whilst abroad. Noted architect Alfred Giles, an Englishman and Texas transplant, designed the castle for Terrell. Giles was a prolific architect and designed a multitude of private homes and public buildings in Texas, many of which are now on the National Register of Historic Places and have been designated Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks. If youโre ready to call this castle your forever home, give listing agent Julie Alexander a ring at (210) 872-0109. Whether or not youโre interested in relocating to San Antonio, you can still enjoy this stately structure, courtesy of the internet.
Trust Index: A trending meme is inaccurate, but COVID-19 is killing an historic number of people
Daily COVID-19 deaths in December are listed on a trending social media graphic showing the 10 deadliest days in U.S. history. RELATED: The chilling story behind the โDeadliest Days in American historyโ meme (CNET)RELATED: Did 4 of the deadliest days in U.S. history occur in December 2020? (Snopes)Recent daily COVID-19 death totals are among the worst in U.S. history, but the graphic leaves out other terrible days, including the entire Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918. 1, though we couldnโt find daily death totals. The meme shows daily COVID-19 fatalities for several days in early December rival these historic tragedies.
Gen. Chuck Yeager, first person to break sound barrier, dies at 97
HOUSTON โ Gen. Chuck Yeager, a fighter pilot best known as becoming the first person to break the sound barrier, died Monday. Born in West Virginia, Yeager enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1941 and flew during World War II and shot down more than a dozen German planes. On Oct. 14, 1947, Yeager flew a rocket plan called โGlamorous Glennisโ over the Mojave Desert to break the sound barrier. Yeager went on to become a trainer of some of the first American astronauts. He made an appearance in the movie โThe Right Stuff,โ which is about the early days of the American space program.
A sightseeing journey of the billboards of Houston, 55 years after LBJโs beautification act
What do the billboards that remain have to say about Houston? To fully ponder the impact and meaning of billboards in my hometown, what better way than to drive its length east to west? One of the first things I noticed was that billboards were relatively few compared to the days of my youth. This seems to bear more than a little truth, especially in a car-besotted city like Houston. As for the second question, what emerged after four or five hours of driving was a dichotomy dividing (broadly speaking) blue-collar industrial east Houston and white-collar residential west.
Transition of power, throughout the years: Most cases peaceful, some awkward
When President Donald Trump lost November 2020โฒs election, it marked just the 11th time in U.S. history an incumbent president was beaten in a re-election bid. On the surface, it seems like it might be an awkward transition -- in which the current president vacates his office and is forced to witness the inauguration of his successor. In the middle of the night before the inauguration was scheduled to start, Adams departed Washington, D.C. and started his post-presidential life. 1828There was some bad blood between incumbent president John Quincy Adams and challenger Andrew Jackson, which stemmed from a controversial ending to the 1824 election that involved both men. 1932This was not a peaceful transition of power between outgoing president Herbert Hoover and the man who defeated him in the election, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Historic African American cemetery restored in Conroe after 128 years
CONROE โ It has been over a century since an African American cemetery has been lost in Conroe. Over the past several years, The Conroe Community Cemetery Restoration Project has been working to clean up, restore and preserve the cemetery. It was simply known as the Conroe Cemetery, No-Name Cemetery or the Community Cemetery, among the older African Americans in Conroe. John Meredith, the treasure for the Conroe Community Cemetery Restoration Project, says theyโve discovered 38 marked graves and 111 unknown graves so far. To learn more about The Conroe Community Cemetery Restoration Project, visit here.
Houston History: KPRC introduces โThe Big 2 Instant News Cameraโ during the election of 1974
It wasnโt until 1974 when KPRC 2 introduced a new piece of equipment that would change its news coverage forever. #Houston's @KPRC2 introduced the Big 2 Instant News Camera on #ElectionDay 1974, reporting from multiple candidate HQs simultaneously. https://t.co/HKDIZNPAIp โ TAMI (@texasarchive) November 3, 2020Prior to 1974, โBig 2 Newsโ had to do a variety of steps to get footage on air for its newscasts. On November 5, 1974, KPRC 2 introduced the โBig 2 Instant News Cameraโ on Election Day. Photojournalist shooting KPRC reporter with the Big 2 Instant News camera (KPRC)The Big 2 Instant News Camera changed the way KPRC delivered its news.
Prada Marfa celebrates 15 years of high fashion in the West Texas desert
โThatโs the tiny town in the middle of the desert with a Prada store, right?โ Well, yes and no. Prada Marfa is not in Marfa proper, but instead a 40-minute drive west, outside Valentine. Built 15 years ago, Prada Marfa borrows elements from pop art, minimalism, and land art. โPre-social media, it was left to its own devices for a long time,โ Elmgreen told Ballroom Marfa in an interview celebrating the pieceโs 15th anniversary. Instead of collapsing back into dust, Prada Marfa became a destination in its own right.
Hardworking suffragists secured Texas womenโs right to vote
During that time period, Texas women formed suffrage clubs in cities like Denison, Taylor, Granger, Dallas, and Fort Worth. Hobby called a special legislative session to discuss granting women the right to vote, and on March 26, 1918, he signed the bill into law. White women knew white men would not support any measure that allowed Black women to voteโor that encouraged interaction between white women and Black men at polling placesโso they excluded Black women from their suffrage organizations. Game-ChangersThese prominent activists changed the way Texans thought about womenโs right to vote. As a journalist for Laredo newspapers, she supported womenโs suffrage and urged women to participate in the public sphere.