What if I told you that the land beneath Sunset Heights was once collateral in a railroad bankruptcy? Welcome to Sunset Heights, a charming historic neighborhood. It offers an urban lifestyle just minutes from downtown Houston. Let’s journey back to its origins.
In 1836, the Allen Brothers bought the land that Houston stands on. Wars and recessions caused the land to change hands many times. By 1888, the Houston and Texas Central Railroad faced bankruptcy. In 1910, the railroad began selling land assets used as collateral. This led to legal battles over ownership.
Richard Rodgers purchased 100 acres for $18750. That was about $13 per 3000 square-foot lot. On August 15, 1910, Rodgers created the Sunset Heights Realty Co. He developed Sunset Heights. Clear title to the land was challenged. Rodgers created a $100000 bond. This insured land purchasers against title suits.
The original platting of Sunset Heights stretched from Yale to 29th St. It went from Airline & Link Rds. to below E. 23rd St. “Sunset” was a popular name. It was used for coffee, train lines, and a new railroad hospital. Texas sunsets are aesthetically inspiring.
In January 1911, Sunset Heights fought annexation by Houston Heights. Houston Heights wanted to annex unincorporated areas. This would prevent Houston from annexing it. Houston Heights was annexed in 1918. Shortly after Rodgers died, Houston annexed Sunset Heights in 1927.
Harris County sought school sites. In 1911, taxpayers in School District 25 wanted to raise $20000. They wanted to build and equip a new school. The referendum passed in 1912. Construction of Sunset Heights School began. The school remained in use until 1926. It was replaced by Alamo Heights School. The school building still stands at Harvard and E 27th. HISD owns it and uses it as a storage facility. Preservation Texas listed the property as an endangered historic site in 2009.
Hamilton Middle School was built in 1919. It was originally named Heights Senior High School. The name changed to Alexander Hamilton Senior High School in 1925. It became Hamilton Junior High School in 1926. That was when Reagan High School opened.
The oldest standing church in Sunset Heights is at 800 Aurora. It was the former home of the Aurora Picture Show and 14 Pews. The Sunset Heights Baptist Church was one of the largest in the area. It had three buildings before closing in 1998.
The Sunset Heights Civic Club was formed in 1910. It worked with electric companies. They extended streetcar lines into the neighborhood in 1914. The club worked with the county. They made sure roads were graveled. They ensured good drainage. The area tried to incorporate as a city several times. In 1916, residents in Studes Woods stopped it. Studes Woods homeowners feared being encompassed by a Sunset Heights city. The Sunset Heights Civic Club ceased operations after Houston annexed Sunset Heights in 1927.
In 1939, Charles “Chaz” Halbert recreated the Sunset Heights Civic Club. The club purchased a house on E 24th. SHCC members petitioned Houston to purchase land for a park. In 1945, Halbert Park was created. The club went dormant again in the late 1960s. It was resurrected in 1984.
Today, the club focuses on Halbert Park. In 2007, the SHCC adopted Halbert Park. In 2009, the club was awarded a $3000 Neighborhood Matching Grant. It resurfaced the tennis court and revitalized the park in 2010.
Sunset Heights has multiple organizations that represent its residents. The SHCC and ESHA collaborate on events. The Houston Heights Association and Greater Super Neighborhood Organizations help improve the neighborhood. These organizations will continue to work together. They will improve Sunset Heights in the years to come. You are invited to be a part.
Sunset Heights offers a prime location. It has easy access to downtown and other key areas. It has wonderful parks like Buffalo Bayou Park and Halbert Park. You can enjoy great food and shopping at M-K-T Sunset Market. Sunset Heights is zoned for highly ranked schools. These include Field Elementary, Hamilton Middle, and Heights High. Sunset Heights is a great place to live.