Houston Heights, Houston, Texas

Houston Heights, often referred to simply as "The Heights," is a large community located in northwest-central Houston, Texas, United States.

History

When Houston Heights was founded in 1891, it was a streetcar suburb of Houston. It had its own municipality until the City of Houston annexed the Heights in 1919.

Much like its sister community, Montrose, it boasts a diverse population [http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=149458] . During the early 1990s, the Heights area was known as an artist community. At one time, it was home to the art car community although not every art car artist was a Heights-area resident.

Since the deed restriction enforcement is mandated in the Heights area, a majority of late-19th century homes still retain the Heights character, large gentrification efforts have taken place.

Famous former residents include Red Adair, oil fire-fighter; Dan Rather, anchorman.

From the 1980 U.S. Census to the 1990 Census, the population of the Houston Heights declined by more than 1,000 people per square mile. [Rodriguez, Lori. " [http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=1991_768298 Census tracks rapid growth of suburbia] ." "Houston Chronicle". Sunday March 10, 1991. Section A, Page 1.]

The old 7,000 square foot former fire station at 12th Street at Yale Street was constructed as Houston Heights' city hall and jail, and fire station in 1914. After annexation, it served as a city of Houston fire station from 1918 until 1995. The Houston Heights Association took a 30 year lease on the property from the city and refurbished the property [http://www.houstonheights.org/firestation.htm] .

Demographics

According to the 2000 census, the current population of the Super Neighborhood #15 Greater Heights, which includes the Houston Heights and several surrounding subdivisions [http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/suprnbhds/landuse/sn15lu.html] [http://www.houstonheights.org/map.htm] , is 41,486.http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/suprnbhds/2001_demog/15_greaterheights.htm]

Racial Breakdown

Age Breakdown

This is the age breakdown of Super Neighborhood #15 Greater Heights.

Education

Public schools

The Heights is served by Houston Independent School District. [" [http://www.houstonheights.org/map.htm Map] ." "Houston Heights". Accessed October 7, 2008.]

Elementary schools that serve portions of the Houston Heights include:
* [http://es.houstonisd.org/crockettes Crockett] [" [http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/CrockettES.pdf Crockett Elementary Attendance Boundary] ." "Houston Independent School District". Accessed October 1, 2008.]
* [http://es.houstonisd.org/fieldes Field] [" [http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/FieldES.pdf Field Elementary Attendance Boundary] ." "Houston Independent School District". Accessed October 1, 2008.]
*Harvard [" [http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/HarvardES.pdf Harvard Elementary Attendance Boundary] ." "Houston Independent School District". Accessed October 1, 2008.]
* [http://www.helmsduallanguage.org/ Helms Community Learning Center] [" [http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/HelmsES.pdf Helms Elementary Attendance Boundary] ." "Houston Independent School District". Accessed October 1, 2008.]
* [http://es.houstonisd.org/lovees Love] [" [http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/LoveES.pdf Love Elementary Attendance Boundary] ." "Houston Independent School District". Accessed October 1, 2008.]

Middle schools that serve portions of the Houston Heights include:
* [http://www.alexanderhamiltonms.org/ Hamilton] [" [http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/HamiltonMS.pdf Hamilton Middle Attendance Boundary] ." "Houston Independent School District". Accessed October 1, 2008.]
** Areas east of Yale and north of East 14th Street
** Areas west of Yale and north of West 12th Street
* [http://ms.houstonisd.org/hoggms Hogg] [" [http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/HoggMS.pdf Hogg Middle Attendance Boundary] ." "Houston Independent School District". Accessed October 1, 2008.]
** Areas east of Yale and south of East 14th Street
** Areas west of Yale and south of West 12th Street

High schools that serve portions of the Houston Heights include:
*Reagan [" [http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/ReaganHS.pdf Reagan High School Attendance Boundary] ." "Houston Independent School District". Accessed October 1, 2008.] - Almost all of the Heights (areas east of North Shepherd) is zoned to Reagan
*Waltrip [" [http://dept.houstonisd.org/ab/schoolboundarymaps/WaltripHS.pdf Waltrip High School Attendance Boundary] ." "Houston Independent School District". Accessed October 1, 2008.] - A small portion of the Heights (areas west of North Shepherd) is zoned to Waltrip

The following charter schools are located in the Heights:
* Houston Heights Learning Academy [http://www.greatschools.net/modperl/browse_school/tx/8547]
* Houston Heights High School

Private schools

[http://www.newschoolheights.org/about.cfm The New School in the Heights] , a K-9 private school.

[http://www.holainfo.com Houston Outdoor Learning Academy] , a 6-12 private school which integrates academics with hands on outdoor learning, and international travel.

Public libraries

The Heights Branch of the Houston Public Library (built in 1924) is one of the oldest libraries in Houston (the blaxploitation film "Sugar Hill" (1974) depicted the library as the "Voodoo Museum of Natural History").

Government and infrastructure

* Fire Department: The Houston Fire Department operates Station 15 Heights at 5306 North Main [http://www.houstontx.gov/fire/firestations/station15.html] .
* Police Department: The Houston Police Department's Central Patrol Division serves the neighborhood. The Heights Storefront is located at 910 North Durham. [" [http://www.houstontx.gov/police/cs/beatpages/central.htm Crime Statistics for Central Patrol Division] ." "City of Houston".] " [http://www.houstontx.gov/police/vip/vip_cops.htm VOLUNTEER INITIATIVES PROGRAM - Citizens Offering Police Support] ." "City of Houston".]
* Post Office: The closest United States Postal Service office is the Heights Post Office at 1050 Yale Street, 77008-6922.

Community information

* YMCA: The Northwest Branch YMCA is the closest YMCA to the Houston Heights.

References

ee also

External links

* [http://www.houstonheights.org/index.htm Houston Heights]
* [http://www.woodland-heights.org/ Woodland Heights]
* [http://www.operaintheheights.org Opera in the Heights]