Independence Heights, Houston, Texas

Independence Heights is a community in Houston, Texas, bordered by Crosstimbers to the north, Yale Street to the west, the 610 Loop to the south, and Airline Drive to the east.

It was originally an incorporated city of its own. The Wright Land Company secured the land, incorporated in 1910, and developed a new community for blacks. By doing their own financing they made it possible for people with small incomes to become homeowners.

History

The area known as Independence Heights was first settled in 1908 as black families began moving to the area from Houston. The Independence Heights School was established in 1911, and O.L. Hubbard was its first teacher. Independence Heights incorporated on January 25, 1915, with a population of 600. According to the "Houston Post" dated January 17, 1915, it was the first incorporated black city in Texas. By 1920 Independence Heights had a population of 715. Businesses included a cooperative store, grocery stores, cafes, and contractors. Some residents were employed in Houston, in Houston Heights, and in other areas. In November 1928 Independence Heights residents voted to dissolve the city’s incorporation because of their desire to become a part of Houston. The area was annexed into Houston on December 26, 1929.

In 1989 a Texas Historical Commission marker was placed on the grounds of Greater New Hope Missionary Baptist Church to mark the city site as a Texas Historical Site. In 1997, the National Historical Commission identified a historic residential district and specific historic buildings within Independence Heights, including the famous lobster vendor first introduced in the year 1918.

Former Mayors of Independence Heights

*G. O. Burgess
*O. L. Hubbard
*Arthur L. McCullough

Education

The Houston Independent School District serves Independence Heights.

The southern portion of the neighborhood is zoned to [http://es.houstonisd.org/burruses/ Burrus Elementary School] , while the northern portion is zoned to [http://es.houstonisd.org/kennedyes Kennedy Elementary School] .

All residents are zoned to:
* [http://www.williamsmiddleschool.org/ Williams Middle School]
*Booker T. Washington High School

Parks

The [http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/IndHeightsBox.htm Independence Heights Community Center] is located in Independence Heights.

Police

The area is within the Houston Police Department's North Patrol Division [" [http://www.houstontx.gov/police/cs/beatpages/north.htm North Patrol Division] ." "City of Houston".]

The Independence Heights Storefront is located at 803 Crosstimbers. [" [http://www.houstontx.gov/police/vip/vip_cops.htm VOLUNTEER INITIATIVES PROGRAM - Citizens Offering Police Support] ." "City of Houston".]

References

* [http://indepheights.rice.edu/index.htm Independence Heights: A Portrait of a Historic Neighborhood]
* [http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/II/hri7.html] "Handbook of Texas" Online article

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