Houston is a city with a rich and distinct history, and the unusual names of neighborhoods that are scattered around tell the tale of this interesting town. Unlike other cities, Houston doesn't have official "zones." Instead, the city is designated into a multitude of neighborhoods. Like the neighborhoods themselves, many of the names come with a long and interesting history. Continue reading to find the history of your neighborhood.
Bellaire - Bellaire was founded by railroad tycoon William Wright Baldwin in 1909. The Burlington Railroad ran through a town in Ohio called Bellaire, which many people believe to be the namesake of this neighborhood. However, the town was originally promoted as being named for its fresh breezes, or "beautiful air."
Tanglewood - Developer William Giddings Farrington named Tanglewood after a book written by American author, Nathaniel Hawthorne, known for the novel The Scarlet Letter. Farrington’s daughter loved the book Tanglewood Tales for Boys and Girls written by Hawthorne and so he named the neighborhood after his daughter’s favorite book.
Katy – The name of this neighborhood is a bit of a mystery. One rumor suggests that it is named after another railroad feature. The neighborhood of Katy may credit its namesake to the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad (called the KT by railroad workers). Another rumor is that the neighborhood is named after the local barkeep's wife.
Tomball - Tomaball was renamed in 1914 to honor Thomas Henry Ball, who had previously run for governor and lost. Tomball supported the Houston Ship Channel and was endorsed by Woodrow Wilson during the campaign.
The Wards - Wards used to be a way that city elected officials would divide their jurisdictions (and in many cities it still is). The wards in Houston were developed with geographical boundaries, like specific streets and bodies of water. As the population grew, more wards were added to the system. The city stopped using the wards system of voting in 1915, but the names stuck.
The Woodlands - Formerly the home of several timber mills, this community was developed in 1972 into a residential area among the piney forests of Houston. The beauty of the place is reflected in the names.
Braeswood Place - Braes is the Scottish word meaning "hillside." Many street names in the city have this word on the sign, and true to its names, it usually that it's a hilly street. Though we don’t know who gave this neighborhood its name, you can bet it was someone who’d seen the beauty of Scotland and saw it reflected in Braeswood Place.
Rice Village - The Rice family was an important family in Houston in the 1800s. One of their sons, William Marshall Rice, sponsored Rice University with a hefty donation. He was, after all, the second richest man in Texas. Unfortunately, his fame garnered a little too much attention, and he was murdered in New York City by his own employees. Rice's ashes are buried beneath a statue at Rice University in the adjacent town.
Freedman's Town - After thousands of slaves were freed after the Civil War, many of the slaves settled in what is now known as Houston's oldest black community. Over 1000 freed slaves settled in this area as freed men.
Acres Homes - When this neighborhood was developed, it was subdivided by the acre in order to give homeowners’ bigger yards and a more expansive "country" feel. The area was marketed as being a country setting which still allowed for a quick commute to the city.
The Museum District - It should come as no surprise that this area is named for its many museums. This neighborhood features some museums of both national and international fame. A few of the museums in the district are The Museum of Natural Science, Children's Museum of Houston, The Holocaust Museum Houston, and Museum of Fine Arts.
Sugar Mills – As the name suggests, this neighborhood was known for its many sugar mills, which have been part of this district since 1843. In the 1900s, The Imperial Sugar Company officially moved its home to Sugar Mills, making the name even more perfect.
Pasadena - Named for the California city, which is the Chippewa Indian word meaning "valley," Pasadena, Texas once resembled the lush landscape of its namesake.
Stafford - Stafford was named after William Stafford, a grand Texas figure. He was one of the first people to receive land in the colony of Houston. Though he had killed a man in 1835, Stafford was later granted clemency because of the victim's unfavorable character.
Atascocita - A more recent development, Atascocita was built in the 1970s, but its history actually dates back much farther. The neighborhood is named for a military road that was constructed in the 1700s and is the oldest road in Houston.
