South Side in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Richard Brock
(1824 - 1906)
Photographed By James Hulse, April 16, 2021
1. Richard Brock Marker
Richard Brock was born enslaved in Kentucky and brought to Texas around 1847. After emancipation, he became an early land owner, civic and political leader in Houston. He was a trustee of the Colored People of Harris County Festival Association and was active in the growth of Emancipation Park. Brock resided in the First Ward and operated a blacksmith shop downtown. In 1870, Governor E.J. Davis appointed him as one of the city's first Negro aldermen to represent the Fourth Ward. In 1872, he was elected alderman for the First Ward. Brock also served as a federal juror and delegate to the 1873 state Republican convention.
He was a founding member of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church organized in 1869 in the First Ward. He later assisted with purchasing land and building the church's first structure. In 1875, he helped establish Olivewood Cemetery, one of Houston's oldest colored burial grounds, in addition to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free & Accepted Masons of Texas, Magnolia Lodge No. 3. A Houston school was named in his honor in 1928, followed by a city park in 2007. A lane in Houston's Oak Park/Golden Gate Cemetery also bears his name.
Erected 2020 by Four Corners Public Art Project.
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Location. 29° 44.131′ N, 95° 21.987′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in the South Side. Marker is at the intersection of Elgin Street and Hutchins Street, on the right when traveling west on Elgin Street. The marker is located in the western corner of the Emancipation Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Houston TX 77004, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist (within shouting distance of this marker); Reverend John Henry "Jack" Yates (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Legacy of Emancipation Park (about 700 feet away); Richard Allen (about 700 feet away); Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sam (Lightnin’) Hopkins (approx. 0.2 miles away); Reverend David Elias Dibble (approx. 0.2 miles away); St. John Missionary Baptist Church (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.
Also see . . . ELEMENTS OF CHANGE - Four Corners Public Art Project. Richard C. Adams Public Art Collection:
In 1872 Richard Allen, Richard(Submitted on April 18, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)Brock, Jack Yates, and Elias Dibble together bought 4 acres (1.6 ha) of parkland with $800 ($16731.11 in 2013 inflation-adjusted dollars). The men, led by Yates, were members of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church and the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. They did this to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. Emancipation Park and Emancipation Community Center are located at 3018 Emancipation Ave in the Third Ward area of Houston. It is the oldest park in Houston, and the oldest in Texas.Photographed By James Hulse, April 16, 20212. Richard Brock Marker
Photographed By James Hulse, April 16, 2021
3. The general view of the Richard Brock Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 484 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 17, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
