Northside in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Independence Heights

Photographed by James Hulse, April 5, 2021

1. Independence Heights Marker

Inscription.

Promoted by the Wright Land Company, the Independence Heights community began about 1908. Many black families purchased lots and built their own homes. A school was established in 1911.

Businesses in Independence Heights included retail stores, restaurants, building contractors, lumberyards, a blacksmith shop, tailor, and barber shop. Fraternal organizations were formed, as well as a number of churches: New Hope Missionary Baptist Church (founded in 1912 at this site), Green Chapel A. M. E., St. Paul C. M. E., Ebenezer M. E., Concord Missionary Baptist, and North Main Church of God in Christ.

By 1915 there were about four hundred residents. In that year an election was held and the city was incorporated. George O. Burgess was elected the first mayor. City improvements over the next few years included the shell paving of streets, plank sidewalks, and the installation of a municipal water system. O. L. Hubbard and Arthur L. McCullough, Sr. also served mayoral terms. In 1928 another election was held in which the city organization was dissolved. Independence Heights was annexed by the City of Houston on December 26, 1929. The Independence Heights name is still associated with the area.

Erected 1989 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10704.)

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is December 26, 1929.

Location. 29° 49.241′ N, 95° 23.637′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Northside. It is at the intersection of North Main Street and East 38th Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. The marker is located in front of the Greater New Hope Baptist Church by the church sign. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7818 North Main Street, Houston TX 77022, 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Jackson's Barber Shop & Beauty Salon (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Independence Heights (approx. ¼ mile away); Booker T. Washington High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); James D. Burrus Elementary School (approx. 0.4 miles away); Houston Heights Woman's Club (approx. 1.2 miles away); Matthews-Johnson House (approx. 1.2 miles away);

Photographed by James Hulse, April 5, 2021

2. Independence Heights Marker

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Daniel Denton Cooley (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.

The view of the Independence Heights Marker from the road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, April 5, 2021

3. The view of the Independence Heights Marker from the road

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 640 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 10, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.