Downtown Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
W. L. Foley Building
Photographed by Brian Anderson, October 31, 2024
1. W. L. Foley Building Marker
John Kennedy (d. 1878), who had a trading post for frontiersmen and Indians in Houston as early as 1841, built the oldest part of this structure as investment property in 1860. After half of the building burned, his son-in-law, W. L. Foley (d. 1925), rebuilt the lost portion in 1889, giving old and new parts a Romanesque revival design. His architect was Eugene T. Heiner. In this building Foley tutored his nephews who founded the Foley Brothers' store.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1977
Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10665.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1841.
Location. 29° 45.784′ N, 95° 21.693′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Downtown Houston. It can be reached from the intersection of Travis Street and Congress Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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: The Kennedy Bakery (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Market Square (within shouting distance of this marker); Houston Cotton Exchange and Board of Trade (within shouting
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. First White House of the Republic of Texas (was about 700 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Brian Anderson, October 31, 2024
2. W. L. Foley Building
Marker medallion is missing. Only the text plate remains attached to the building.
Photographed by Jim Evans, April 11, 2021
3. W. L. Foley Building
Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2021, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,408 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 17, 2024, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 3. submitted on April 13, 2021, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
