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downtown Huntsville has been decorated with a brilliant use of paint
(paint in talented hands). The courthouse has recently undergone a
restoration down to the sidewalks. The city has left a vintage brick
façade in place on the SW corner of the NW corner of the square. Either
that, or else they've constructed an instant stabilized ruin. Either
way it works. It draws attention away from a parking lot and calls
attention to the bricklayer's art. |
| An inexpensive
idea for scores of Texas towns with gaps in their downtown area. TE
Photo, 2002 |
Even the air
conditioners look real
TE Photo, 2002 |
Huntsville
Historic or Architectural Landmarks
Walker
County Courthouse >
Gibbs-Powell
House Museum: 1228 11th Street
Oakwood
Cemetery:
9th St. and Ave "I" Includes Sam Houston's grave
Sam Houston's
Statue:
I-45 S, (exit 112) I-45 N (exit 109)
The lifesize model of the 67-foot statue can be seen at the library
at Sam Houston State University
Sam
Houston Memorial Museum Complex:
1836 Sam Houston Avenue
Sam Houston
State University - If
you are visiting Huntsville, especially if you will be stopping
at the Sam Houston Museum complex, do yourself a favor; walk across
Sam Houston Avenue and visit the campus of Sam Houston State University.
Not only gets my vote as one of the prettiest college campuses in
the state of Texas, if not in the entire country, but also the site
of several interesting things to see. (As a graduate of SHSU I will
readily admit that I am somewhat biased!) Nevertheless, in very
close proximity to the museum, and to each other, on the north end
of the SHSU quadrangle are; Austin Hall (1851) – If I remember correctly,
it is the oldest educational building in continuous use west of
the Mississippi River, Old Main Memorial – preserved footprint and
basement area of this 1890 beauty, which was lost to fire in 1982,
the Peabody Memorial Library – Built in 1902 to recognize the philanthropic
contributions of the Peabody Foundation to Sam Houston (Normal Institute)
and to public education in the state of Texas, and the bronze statue
of General Sam Houston. This statue, 110% of life size, was dedicated
in 1979 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of
SHSU. It was said to be the most accurate representation of Sam
Houston in existence at that time. I hope you enjoy your visit to
Huntsville and Sam Houston State University. - Stephen Rogers,
Bellville, Texas, November 11, 2004
The Texas
Prison Museum: On the southside of the square
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Masonic Lodge
and Signs
TE photos |
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The Town Theatre in Huntsville
TE photo |
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The statue of Sam Houston in Huntsville
Photo courtesy Todd Marshall |
Huntsville
Outdoor Attractions
Lake Livingston
Huntsville
State Park
Sam Houston
National Forest - including Sam Houston State Park
See
East
Texas Sunday Drives: Huntsville by Bob Bowman
Old Sam, prisons and pine trees, Oakhurst, Point Blank, Coldspring,
Sam Houston National Forest, and Huntsville State Park
Huntsville
Hotels > Book
Your Hotel Here & Save |
The Huntsville
park bridge
TE photo |
History
in a Pecan shell
A timeline of significant events in Huntsville's history:
1836: founded by Pleasant and Ephraim Gray as an Indian trading post.
The Grays were from Huntsville, Alabama.
1837: Montgomery County organized - Huntsville was within its boundaries.
First post office granted.
1844: The Huntsville Male and Female Academy opened.
1845: Stovall's Male and Female Academy opened.
1846: Walker County organized - Huntsville designated county seat.
1847: Huntsville becomes home of the Texas State Penitentiary. The
prison received its first inmate in 1849. During the 1840s and 1850s
prosperous families from the southern states arrive.
1850: Huntsville loses its chance to become state capital when it
is defeated by Austin in an election.
1861 - 1865: During the Civil War, uniforms for Confederate soldiers
were made at the pentitentiary. During reconstruction - Huntsville
was placed under martial law for a brief period.
1867: a yellow fever epidemic reportedly killed 10 percent of the
town's population.
1872: The Houston and Great Northern Railroad bypasses Huntsville
to the east.
1875: Huntsville was a stop on four stage lines - including one running
from Nacogdoches to Brenham, and one from Huntsville to Waxahachie.
1879: Sam Houston Normal Institute opens - later becomes Sam Houston
State University.
1933: Emancipation Park is established
1936: Marker is erected for Steamboat House - where Sam Houston died.
Also authorized were the construction of the James Gillaspie Monument
and the Sam Houston Memorial Museum. |
Huntsville
Tourist Information
Huntsville Chamber
of Commerce:
1327 11th Street 1-800-289-0389
Website: http://www.chamber.huntsville.tx.us/
Huntsville
Hotels > Book
Your Hotel Here & Save |
Huntsville
Texas Forum
Subject:
Raven Hill
The location of the site of Raven Hill is south of Oakhurst about
2.5 miles off the main road. Take Raven Hill Rd. S.W. until it ends.
Take a left (dirt road) go another 100 yds. or so. The marker is
in a cow pasture on the right. - Robert Surguy, June 08, 2004
To share history, travel or photos of Hunstville, Texas, please
contact
us.
© John Troesser
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