Happy birthday, Houston.

[jfre81]

Well, it wasn't a very good day to go out and do pictures, but I was out and about anyway. Wanted to see what they did with Market Square. So I did.

In case you're not aware, this is the historic center of----well, I won't even say "downtown Houston" but Houston as a whole. There was a time, kid you not, when it was no less centralized than any other city. And this was where it was.

City Hall was here before it went where it is in the 1930s.

For everything that's gone down over the years, many of the older buildings around here remain. This is one of the few places to see Houston as it was, more or less, 80+ years ago.

I hope when the work's done and the weather's better that people will come check this out.

I'm even left under the impression that you'll be able to get a beer with your gyro or whatever you get from the Niko Niko's stand. That could be cool. In more ways than one.

Anyway, let's go check on another recent development concerning another part of Houston's history.

The JPMorgan Chase Building, or probably better known by its former name, the Gulf Building. There was a fire on the 27th floor on Monday evening, and it does appear there is some outside smoke damage. It looks like nothing irreparable, which is good, because this is the kind of thing they don't build anymore.

I could smell a lingering smoke odor as I walked outside the lobby door heading out.

Anyway, pretty short and sweet.

It was time to head home, so I did.

Happy 174th birthday, Houston (as of Monday).

[bachanon]

enjoyed the pictures. thanks for posting!

[fatesdisastr]

Yeah those pictures were really awesome. I definitely enjoyed it. Thanks for the share

[Talbot]

Wow, very nice! Thanks for sharing.