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

Hogg Building

Photographed by Jim Evans, December 30, 2012

1. Hogg Building Marker

Inscription. Noted Houston business and civic leader Will C. Hogg (1875-1930) had this commercial structure built in 1921. Early tenants included the Armor Auto Company and the Great Southern Life Insurance Company. The art deco building, designed by the engineering firm of Barglebaugh and Whitson, features an exterior dominated by industrial windows. A rooftop penthouse, used for offices of the Hogg family businesses, reflects Mediterranean influences.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1980

Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10684.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Art Deco series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 29° 45.771′ N, 95° 21.838′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Downtown Houston. It is at the intersection of Louisiana Street and Preston Street, on the right when traveling north on Louisiana Street. On the right of the entrance at Louisiana & Preston. 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: Horace Dickinson Taylor (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Baker Common

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(about 600 feet away); Auditorium Hotel (about 600 feet away); The Kennedy Bakery (about 700 feet away); Old Market Square (about 700 feet away); W. L. Foley Building (about 800 feet away); Magnolia Brewery Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); Houston Cotton Exchange and Board of Trade (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Houston.

More about this marker. This building is in the National Register of Historic Places.

Regarding Hogg Building. Will Hogg's father, Govener "Big Jim" Hogg, must have had a sense of humor at the expensive of his child as he named his daughter, Will's sister, Ima Hogg. Myth has it she had a sister named Ura Hogg, but it's just a myth.

Also see . . . Bio of Will Hogg in The Handbook of Texas. (Submitted on January 4, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas.)

Hogg Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, December 30, 2012

2. Hogg Building

The marker is behind and to the right of the streetlight on the near corner. On the roof of the building, hidden behind a parapet, is an 18-room penthouse and solarium. The penthouse housed the personal offices of the Hogg family, with extensive roof gardens. (Note trees on the corners of the roof.)

Fountain on the Preston corner of the building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, December 30, 2012

3. Fountain on the Preston corner of the building

A different view of the fountain taken from the Preston side of the building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, December 30, 2012

4. A different view of the fountain taken from the Preston side of the building

National Register of Historic Places Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jim Evans, December 30, 2012

5. National Register of Historic Places Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 4, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,433 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 4, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.