Downtown Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Houston Bar Association
Photographed by Brian Anderson, December 1, 2017
1. Houston Bar Association Marker
Members of the legal profession began practicing in Houston in 1837, one year after Texas gained its independence from Mexico and became a Republic. The earliest evidence of organization among the city's attorneys dates to 1870, when the original Houston Bar Association was formed. Judge Peter W. Gray was elected president of the association, whose objectives were to raise the standards of the legal profession and to purchase a law library. The organization was short-lived, however, and no records concerning its activity have been found. In 1901, fifty-three attorneys joined together to form the Harris County Bar Association, but it too ceased to exist after a few years.
The present Houston Bar Association was formed on March 26, 1904. Among its early accomplishments was a campaign to build the 1910 Harris County Courthouse (present Harris County Civil Courts building) and the establishment of the Harris County Law Library in 1915.
Throughout its history, the Houston Bar Association has supported programs to serve the community, including legal services to the indigent, legal education, lawyer referral services, legal publications, and other volunteer projects.
Erected 1991 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10691.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed
this page online
Location. 29° 45.671′ N, 95° 21.608′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Downtown Houston. It is on Fannin Street, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located on the grounds of the Historic 1910 Courthouse facing Fannin Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 301 Fannin Street, Houston TX 77002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Harris County 1910 Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Pillot Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Republic Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Harris County (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sweeney, Coombs & Fredericks Building (about 400 feet away); Founding of Harris County (about 400 feet away); State National Bank Building (about 500 feet away); Site of General Sam Houston House (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
Other markers no longer nearby. Harris County Courthouse of 1910 (was a few steps from this marker but has been reported to have been replaced with another marker now near it); First White House of the Republic of Texas (was about 400
Photographed by J. Makali Bruton, September 29, 2019
2. Houston Bar Association Marker
Postcard published by C.T. American Art Cards, circa 1915
3. Court House, Houston, Texas
Postcard showing the grounds on which the marker is located, as it used to appear.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 488 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 18, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 2. submitted on September 29, 2019, by J. Makali Bruton of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on April 18, 2018. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
