Historic Houston Maps

[TJones]

http://houston.craigslist.org/clt/223709922.html

Edited October 21, 2006 by TJones

[sevfiv]

neat, but 10 each? i don't think my best offer would come close to that - guess i'm a cheapskate

Edited October 21, 2006 by sevfiv

[TJones]

neat, but 10 each? i don't think my best offer would come close to that - guess i'm a cheapskate

Heh, thought it said $10 for the whole lot. That would be a deal. Yep, he'll never get $10ea. but $10 for the whole enchilada I can see.

Edited October 21, 2006 by TJones

[Mark F. Barnes]

Those types of maps are on eBay all the time for anywhere between $0.50 to $2.00, $10 is out of his mind, Link is dead, Maybe he sold out already!!!!!

[TJones]

Maybe he is a poster here, and saw what we said. D'oh !

[Pumapayam]

Maybe he is a poster here, and saw what we said. D'oh !

It's a novelty, I am sure if was curious to see a map what Houston looked like back in the day, I could find it on the internet, see it, and be done with my curiosity. Save myself 10 bucks!

[TheNiche]

It's a novelty, I am sure if was curious to see a map what Houston looked like back in the day, I could find it on the internet, see it, and be done with my curiosity. Save myself 10 bucks!

Yeah, you sure could. But that's not really the point. Otherwise, why would anybody buy well-known original artwork for millions of dollars if they could just as easily Google it and find it online? This is kind of the same thing.

I've got a collection of official Texas state highway maps dating back to 1937. I assembled it from Ebay purchases. Aside from the fact that they are primary source historical documents, the greatest value that I see in them is the cover art, and how it changes over time based upon popular influences.

[Pumapayam]

Aside from the fact that they are primary source historical documents, the greatest value that I see in them is the cover art, and how it changes over time based upon popular influences.

It is all about the cherubic women huh!

[TheNiche]

It is all about the cherubic women huh!

IMO those are the best. But I've only seen two maps with such women on it; both were in swimsuits, and one is shown in the initial post. I own the other, a 1971 state highway map.

[nativehou]

I was just in Canyon, Texas, and visited the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum there. One of the exhibitions was of "birds-eye" maps of Texas cities, primarily after the Civil War and until the early 20th century. I have seen maps like these before, but never knew they had a name and never realized so many were created.

At least two maps in the exhibition were of Houston and were quite interesting. I did some searching and found that they were from the Amon Carter Museum in Ft. Worth, which maintains http://www.birdseyeviews.org/index.php. Take a look. The two shown from Houston are from 1873 and 1891.

Here is one explanation of "birds-eye" maps:

"Bird

[musicman]

one of these is already in haif...somewhere.

[EastEnd Susan]

I was just in Canyon, Texas, and visited the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum there. One of the exhibitions was of "birds-eye" maps of Texas cities, primarily after the Civil War and until the early 20th century. I have seen maps like these before, but never knew they had a name and never realized so many were created.

At least two maps in the exhibition were of Houston and were quite interesting. I did some searching and found that they were from the Amon Carter Museum in Ft. Worth, which maintains http://www.birdseyeviews.org/index.php. Take a look. The two shown from Houston are from 1873 and 1891.

Here is one explanation of "birds-eye" maps:

"Bird

[tmariar]

one of these is already in haif...somewhere.

Here's the prior post.

The bird's-eye maps are great. And I love that the site you mention has made them interactive. I'd really like to find more of Houston - I'm pretty sure I've seen references to bird's-eye maps from other years here or elsewhere. (I've tried to collect links to old Houston maps I've found on the internet here.)

Edited March 18, 2007 by tmariar

[musicman]

{I've tried to collect links to old Houston maps I've found on the internet here.)

great info. thx for the link.

Edited March 18, 2007 by musicman

[gonzo1976]

I have a couple of birds-eye view photos of downtown Houston that were taken in the 1930s and 1940s. It was part of this program that allowed you to look at such views of various major American cities. This was before the days of Google Maps or Google Earth.

I've thought about putting the pictures up on my blog, but I'm concerned about running into any copyright issues.

[nm5k]

Those can pretty pretty neat, but I prefer the actual panoramic

photo's.. There are many of both types at the library of

congress website. I've got a load of them on my hard drive.

I like the photo's, as you can see the actual people, horses,

cars, etc, in the pictures. There are a few of Houston. I've got all

of them I think, starting from about 1909, and onward..

They also have many other cities around the country and

world.

MK

[mkultra25]

I have a couple of birds-eye view photos of downtown Houston that were taken in the 1930s and 1940s. It was part of this program that allowed you to look at such views of various major American cities. This was before the days of Google Maps or Google Earth.

I've thought about putting the pictures up on my blog, but I'm concerned about running into any copyright issues.

Heights Camphouse BBQ (on White Oak between Heights Blvd. and Studewood) has an absolutely enormous blowup of a panoramic photo of downtown Houston taken by Bob Bailey in the 1950s hanging on their back wall. It's gotta be around four feet square.

[musicman]

Heights Camphouse BBQ (on White Oak between Heights Blvd. and Studewood) has an absolutely enormous blowup of a panoramic photo of downtown Houston taken by Bob Bailey in the 1950s hanging on their back wall. It's gotta be around four feet square.

Dot's at gulfgate has some large ones as well. these though are watercolored in from the original black and white photo

[tmariar]

Heights Camphouse BBQ (on White Oak between Heights Blvd. and Studewood) has an absolutely enormous blowup of a panoramic photo of downtown Houston taken by Bob Bailey in the 1950s hanging on their back wall. It's gotta be around four feet square.

Can't believe I hadn't noticed that before. I'll ask them if I can post a panoramic photo of the panoramic photo as was done with Luna/Venice Park.

[TheNiche]

Interesting how Galveston in 1871 had little lakes apparently disrupting the street grid west of 20th Street and south of Broadway. I did not know that. ...they're gone by 1885, though. I guess they got filled in. Looks like there was a lot of fill placed at the wharves, too.

Edited March 19, 2007 by TheNiche

[TJones]

Hi guys and gals. I need everyone's help on this. I tried going to FEMA on this one, but those goofs were no help AT ALL ! I was hoping maybe someone, ANYONE, might have a flood zone map for Houston, or at the very least the WEST side of Houston in the Bear Creek area, (Hwy.6 and Clay) area. Thank you in advance.

EDIT: Again, I need a map circa 1970's

Edited September 15, 2007 by TJones

[Original Timmy Chan's]

Hi guys and gals. I need everyone's help on this. I tried going to FEMA on this one, but those goofs were no help AT ALL ! I was hoping maybe someone, ANYONE, might have a flood zone map for Houston, or at the very least the WEST side of Houston in the Bear Creek area, (Hwy.6 and Clay) area. Thank you in advance.

Try Harris County Permits - 713-956-3000

They're the official Floodplain Administrator for Harris County. They may not have them readily available, but either they, or possible someone at Harris County Flood Control District (713-684-4000), are the best repositories I could think of. Unfortunately, maps that old have a way of getting lost.

Both Harris County and HCFCD have their own libraries. Maybe ask for the librarian or archivist at either or both places.

[isuredid]

Hi guys and gals. I need everyone's help on this. I tried going to FEMA on this one, but those goofs were no help AT ALL ! I was hoping maybe someone, ANYONE, might have a flood zone map for Houston, or at the very least the WEST side of Houston in the Bear Creek area, (Hwy.6 and Clay) area. Thank you in advance.

Here is the FEMA web site page to search maps

FEMA MAP SEARCH

Here is another. but I think this ties back into FEMA

TSARP

[TJones]

Here is the FEMA web site page to search maps

FEMA MAP SEARCH

Here is another. but I think this ties back into FEMA

TSARP

As I said, FEMA was no help. They only have the updated maps as of 6-18-2007. Thank you though.

Edited September 15, 2007 by TJones

[Ross]

Try te Harris County Flood Control District - they have maps going way back.

[devonhart]

Google has added a lot of Houston to their street views. You might want to check out your address old and and new.

The house I grew up in from 1961 to 1966 4114 Knotty Oaks, Google shows it as 4142, so you might have hunt the street for your house.

Edited June 14, 2008 by devonhart

[TexasFreeway.com]

Here's one for discussion...

I am looking for a map of the Barkers Reservoir before the Corps took over the land. HCAD shows a network of "closed" streets as well as an abandoned railroad ROW. SOme of the old street ROW's are still visable via Google maps and others.

[kylejack]

There's a thread around here somewhere where someone took pictures of old foundations that were north of 10 and west of 6, and we looked up some historic aerials. I don't think we focused on the area south of I-10, though.

[kylejack]

Here's 1957. I see roads, but not a lot else going on here.

http://www.historicaerials.com/?poi=10075

[roym]

Here's one for discussion...

I am looking for a map of the Barkers Reservoir before the Corps took over the land. HCAD shows a network of "closed" streets as well as an abandoned railroad ROW. SOme of the old street ROW's are still visable via Google maps and others.

Is the map you're looking at available online?

[kylejack]

Some of those old roads are now a bike path and a walking trail, which is probably a big part of why they're still visible.

[Heights2Bastrop]

Check the Addicks topographic maps from the Perry-Castaneda collection. There is a map from 1919, 1949, 1955 as well as later years.

[TexasFreeway.com]

Thanks!!! That was a big help. The abandoned railroad right-of-way show on the HCAD maps running next to the old Westheimer alignment (Beeler) is actually from the old Texas-Western RR.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/topo/texas/txu-pclmaps-topo-tx-clodine-1915.jpg

[djrage]

Any one know where I can find old texas road maps? Possibly from around 1970 to 1975. Im working out at the South Texas Nuclear Plant and very curious to what it was like through there before the plant was built. Im very curious about a road that appears to have run through it that is now fenced off and dead ends at the east end of the reservoir. Wondering if this road was the original route of FM 521.

[TheNiche]

Any one know where I can find old texas road maps? Possibly from around 1970 to 1975. Im working out at the South Texas Nuclear Plant and very curious to what it was like through there before the plant was built. Im very curious about a road that appears to have run through it that is now fenced off and dead ends at the east end of the reservoir. Wondering if this road was the original route of FM 521.

You're in luck. I have a collection of official state highway maps that goes back to the very first issuance from 1938.

From my favorite among them, the 1971 map (titled "Land of Contrast" with the cover art depicting a young brunette pacing through some sand dunes in a vintage bathing suit as a guy trails not far behind and a little off to the side staring indiscriminately at her chest) depicts FM 521 as being straight.

[Subdude]

Any one know where I can find old texas road maps? Possibly from around 1970 to 1975. Im working out at the South Texas Nuclear Plant and very curious to what it was like through there before the plant was built. Im very curious about a road that appears to have run through it that is now fenced off and dead ends at the east end of the reservoir. Wondering if this road was the original route of FM 521.

Your best bet for old road maps would probably be Ebay, or else try one of the large antiques markets.

[TheNiche]

Your best bet for old road maps would probably be Ebay, or else try one of the large antiques markets.

Yep, I accumulated all of mine through Ebay.

[mkultra25]

You're in luck. I have a collection of official state highway maps that goes back to the very first issuance from 1938.

From my favorite among them, the 1971 map (titled "Land of Contrast" with the cover art depicting a young brunette pacing through some sand dunes in a vintage bathing suit as a guy trails not far behind and a little off to the side staring indiscriminately at her chest) depicts FM 521 as being straight.

[Dan the Man]

I see them at estate sales from time to time. I'd like to find a decent Houston street map from the 1930s or 1940s, but no luck yet...

[Subdude]

I see them at estate sales from time to time. I'd like to find a decent Houston street map from the 1930s or 1940s, but no luck yet...

A good place to look would be one of the large antiques marts. The one on Old Katy Road at the West Loop had a couple of vendors that sold old maps.

[Dan the Man]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[WillowBend56]

Here's a great source of online map images for the area dating from the 1870s to the 1960s:

http://www.hctx.net/archives/Maps.aspx

My apologies if this has been mentioned before! Browse away!

[NenaE]

http://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/p15195coll35/item/25

 

...believe this one is from 1937. see bottom right date. release date 1957. It has some interesting information. Pre-freeway construction, it helps to use the bayous as reference markers. 

 

 

[UtterlyUrban]

THANK YOU! Fascinating!

[plumber2]

Nena,

   This is an awesome map. It must have been an HL&P map of some type, with the KVA substation notations scatered about.  

I notice that Nabisco on Almeda is not shown but the Dominican Convent is, as is the retired priest's home, St. Anthony's, futher up the street.

Also it points to the future Veteran's Hospital as being on the south side of OST.

 

The bayous have yet to be channelized, so it's interesting seeing their twisted paths to the ship channel.

[NenaE]

Yeah, all those oxbows are interesting. I was intrigued by the horse stable references (calvary stables is now the police memorial) and the parks on Houston Avenue, north of Downtown (Luna Park). The Ellington officers reference in Glenbrook was also nice. Very detailed map.

 

note the "secret" reference.

Edited November 29, 2014 by NenaE

[NenaE]

http://digital.lib.uh.edu/collection/p15195coll35/item/24 ... oops. here is the one with the parks off Houston Ave.

[IronTiger]

It's interesting that the out of town subdivisions like Eureka Gardens are just outside of Inner Loop (and Eureka Gardens was many years ago redeveloped into industrial buildings and restaurants--Ball is now Karbach). The bayous, on the other hand, retain their twisty configuration (seems like they were straightened and concretized in the 1960s or so) but the Houston Ship Channel is more or less in its current form (built 1914), so landmarks like Brady's Island, the Turning Basin, and all--those still exist. They didn't even blast through Avenue U to make a straighter channel, although they did shorten the route by getting rid of that oxbow just west of it (it's still visible as an inlet)

[Ross]

It's interesting that the out of town subdivisions like Eureka Gardens are just outside of Inner Loop (and Eureka Gardens was many years ago redeveloped into industrial buildings and restaurants--Ball is now Karbach). The bayous, on the other hand, retain their twisty configuration (seems like they were straightened and concretized in the 1960s or so) but the Houston Ship Channel is more or less in its current form (built 1914), so landmarks like Brady's Island, the Turning Basin, and all--those still exist. They didn't even blast through Avenue U to make a straighter channel, although they did shorten the route by getting rid of that oxbow just west of it (it's still visible as an inlet)

 

White Oak Bayou was channelized between about 1948 and 1955. The Google Earth 1953 aerials show the effects of channelization in the Timbergrove area.

 

[NavArch]

Nice!