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The history of 806 Main is as interesting as the structure’s possible future.
The building was developed by Samuel Fain Carter, the nephew of legendary Houston businessman Jesse Jones.
At 16 stories high, Carter’s development was planned as the tallest building in the state of Texas. 
Houstonians considered a building that tall unsafe and referred to it as “Carter’s Folly.” At the same time, it was perceived to be located outside of the Central Business District.
Jones tried to talk Carter out of the project, saying Houston’s skyline would be more harmonious if no building were higher than 10 stories tall.
Two years after Carter’s building was completed and was deemed safe, Jones began erecting the new Rice Hotel, which would be one story taller than Carter’s facility.
Not to be outdone by his uncle, Carter added six more floors to his edifice in the 1920s.
The 806 Main building was originally faced with polished Texas granite, Bedford stone columns, terra cotta and brick — all hidden by a slipcover of marble and glass added 30 years ago.
Occupied by Second National Bank for many years, Carter’s building had Italian and Norwegian marble in the lobby and on all 15 original office floors.
Every office had electric fans, electric lights and a wash basin. An artesian well in the basement provided icy cold water for the city’s first office building with drinking fountains.
Betty Brown, current manager of 806 Main, says the building was a true original in more ways than one.
“It was the first building with indoor plumbing,” she says. “This was the first high-rise in Houston.”� �

Texas Company Building

The oldest of these existing structures is the Texas Company 

Building, which opened in 1915 at the corner of San Jacinto 

Street and Rusk Avenue. The 13-story building was entirely 

occupied by Texas Co. employees—an indication of the fastgrowing industry in the Houston area. It was designed by 

the New York architectural firm of Warren and Wetmore, 

the creator of New York’s Grand Central Station, as well as 

Houston’s Union Station (1910).

The building’s architectural style is described as modern 

Italian Renaissance, although it also displays elements of the 

Beaux Arts styling. Bedford limestone, terra cotta and brick 

were the primary materials used in the construction. Perhaps 

the most unique aspect of the building is the arcade covering 

the sidewalks on both San Jacinto and Rusk. Tuscan columns 

of limestone on granite bases support the arcade, vaulted with 

Guastavino tiles. Each column has a bronze bumper guard 

bearing what would become known as the “Texaco star.” 

Between 1936 and 1975, three additions were built to expand 

operations.