Did you know that Highlands in Houston is named after the higher elevation of the east bank of the San Jacinto River? The community was founded at this site as a station on the Beaumont, Sour Lake and Western Railway in 1908. Just imagine the bustling life of this place a century ago, with trains rumbling through, delivering goods and people. It was the only form of transport then. Highlands was already a place of history. The land was occupied by the Karankawa Indians for centuries. Imagine a town where Indians with their canoes and horses roamed freely.
But Highlands wasn’t always called Highlands, it was also referred to as Elena. This name was a reminder of a bygone era, an era when this spot was a destination for travelers, settlers, and businessmen. The post office was founded in 1929. People would have sent letters and parcels to their loved ones in Highlands. Imagine sending a letter today. You would probably take two minutes. Back then, it would have taken a few days, weeks or even months. What a big difference, isn’t it?
Highlands incorporated in 1930, but its charter was voided. The community was already marked by its industrial development. The war spurred its growth even more, as it housed military members and war plant personnel. The community boasts a rich history, a place where the past and the present collide.