Acres Homes Community Plaque

Beneath the vast Texas sky, the Acres Homes Community Plaque stands as a testament to a resilient community. Right here at the intersection of West Montgomery and West Little York, this aluminum marker tells a story of dreams, perseverance, and a unique piece of Houston’s history. The Acres Homes Community Plaque commemorates the founding and growth of Acres Homes, a historic African American community. It details the area’s development from its humble beginnings in 1910 to its annexation by the City of Houston in the 1970s. Alfred A. Wright, a land developer, envisioned a haven for those seeking affordable land and a rural lifestyle. He began selling plots of land, attracting residents eager to escape the city’s confines and build their own homes. The Acres Homes Community Plaque highlights the self-sufficient nature of this burgeoning community. Despite lacking basic municipal services like electricity, streetlights, and garbage disposal, Acres Homes thrived. Residents, many of whom were farmers, laborers, and factory workers, built their lives and their community from the ground up. The plaque recounts the establishment of vital community institutions. Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, organized in 1913, provided spiritual guidance. White Oak Colored School, which opened in 1915, offered education to the community’s children. From the 1930s through the 1950s, Acres Homes experienced a significant population surge. This growth led to the formation of civic clubs, the construction of more homes and churches, and the establishment of businesses. A notable achievement was the opening of the Acres Homes Transit Company in 1959. It was the first Black-owned bus company in the South, serving the community until 1968. The Acres Homes Community Plaque doesn’t shy away from the challenges and transformations the community faced. The integration era and the gradual annexation of Acres Homes by the City of Houston from 1967 to 1974 brought about significant changes. The arrival of city services and increased diversity altered the landscape of the once-rural community. Yet, as the plaque emphasizes, Acres Homes retained its strong sense of community and its residents’ deep civic pride. This pride continues to this day. Even with the changes, Acres Homes has held onto its unique identity. It is a community that built itself through hard work and determination. This unassuming aluminum plaque is more than just a historical marker. It’s a symbol of a community’s enduring spirit, a reminder of a unique chapter in Houston’s history.