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Pam Hughes - ABR, CRS, GRI
Phone (281) 569-5525 Fax (281) 440-4648 Evenings (281) 586-7553 Evenings (713) 725-1213 Heritage Texas Properties 102 Vintage Park Blvd Houston, TX 77070 |
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Houston, TX Area Guide
General Information
Houston is the largest city in the state of Texas, and the fourth largest city in the nation. Houston is also the seat of Harris County and the major economic center of the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan area. The economy here is diversified with an industrial base consisting of energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, transportation and health care. New York City is the only city in the United States with more Fortune 500 headquarters than Houston! Houston is also ranked as a gamma world city, due to its oilfield equipment production. The Port of Houston is a leader in international waterborne tonnage and total cargo tonnage handled.
This multicultural city also offers a variety of museums, parks, spas, and golf courses for residents to enjoy throughout the year. For family-oriented activities there are plenty of amusement parks, a zoo, an aquarium, and a Children’s Museum, in addition to a variety of festivals and events held each year.
Houston History
In August 1836, two real estate entrepreneurs (John Kirby Allen and Augustus Chapman Allen) purchased land along the Buffalo Bayou with plans to build a city. The Allen brothers decided to name the city after Sam Houston, the famous Texas general who fought at the Battle of San Jacinto and was elected President that same year. The City of Houston was incorporated on June 5, 1837, and it became the county seat of Harrisburg County (now known as Harris County).
With a port established at the Buffalo Bayou, by 1860 Houston had become a commercial and railroad hub for the exportation of cotton. During the American Civil War, Houston served as headquarters for General John Bankhead Magruder who organized the Battle of Galveston. By the 1890s Houston was the center of railroad operations in Texas.
In the following years a variety of projects helped to further expand Houston’s economy and draw in residents from other states and countries, including the shipbuilding industry that flourished during World War II, the construction of NASA’s Space Center, and the completion of the Astrodome. The population here has continued to grow, as residents are drawn to the area’s commerce centers, wide range of employment opportunities, and cultural activities.
Houston Parks and Recreation
Houston’s Parks
Houston’s Parks and Recreation Department maintains 350 developed parks and over 200 open spaces that residents can enjoy year-round. Whatever the weather may be, there is always something to do in Houston!
Click here for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD)
Houston Events
Chevron Houston Marathon
The Chevron Houston Marathon is the city’s largest single-day sporting event with more than 20,000 participants, 200,000 spectators, and 5,000 volunteers on the streets.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
This annual rodeo and concert event is the biggest rodeo in the world, and lasts and incredible 20 days.
H-E-B Children's Festival
Known as “ Houston’s Official Family Celebration”, this festival includes six stages of music and more than 350 activities, crafts, exhibits, games, sports and rides.
Worldfest Houston International Film Festival
Woldfest screens 55-60 feature film premiers and a focus on both American and International Independent feature films.
Houston's Official July 4th Festival
The fireworks at Houston’s Official July 4 th Festival are one of the largest displays in the nation, and the celebration also includes a live concert with a nationally-known recording artist every year.
Texas Renaissance Festival
A 16 th-century English kingdom comes alive on 50 acres of land over seven consecutive weekends. Activities include jousting, falconry exhibits, magic demonstrations, juggling, and a variety of food vendors.
Bayou City Art Festival (Fall)
Held each year in October, the Bayou City Art Festival Downtown takes place at the City Hall Reflection Pond.
Houston Attractions
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
