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

The Blue Bird Circle

Photographed by James Hulse, November 3, 2023

1. The Blue Bird Circle Marker

Inscription. The Blue Bird Circle is a non-denominational philanthropic women's organization dedicated to serving the needs of children. Since its organization in January 1923 under the auspices of First Methodist Church, volunteers have committed time and money to create a young women's co-operative home, a day nursery and the "Little Hospital" for Crippled Children. In 1949 the Circle founded a clinic for children with cerebral disorders that grew into the renowned Blue Bird Circle Clinic for Pediatric Neurology. The Circle continues to support the clinic and fund pediatric research at the developmental neurogenetics laboratory and the Rett Center at Baylor College of Medicine.

Erected 2001 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12492.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Religion & Religious Structures • Science & Medicine • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1923.

Location. 29° 44.316′ N, 95° 23.249′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Montrose. It is at the intersection of West Alabama Street and Greeley Street on West Alabama Street. The marker is located at the front entrance to the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 615 W Alabama Street, Houston TX 77006, 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.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gilmer-Cage-Cohn House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Waldo Mansion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Louis Wiltz Kemp (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. John H. Foster House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Link-Lee House (approx. ¼ mile away); Randolph P. Goodman Jr. House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Fondren Mansion (approx. 0.3 miles away); South Main Baptist Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.

Also see . . . Mission & History. The Blue Bird Circle

As is the case of most organizations which begins as a banding together of friends to further a common cause, the Circle was very small at the start. During the first week of January of 1923, a group of fifteen young women approached A. Frank Smith, pastor of First Methodist Church. They requested that they be allowed to form a new organization similar to the Methodist Missionary Society, but with projects of an entirely local nature.

(Submitted on November 5, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Blue Bird Circle building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, November 3, 2023

2. The Blue Bird Circle building and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 368 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 5, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.