Historic Houston Streets

by Marks Hinton

  O’BANION: Elmer E. – This black educator was Chairman of the Natural Sciences Department at Prairie View A & M University. He was hired in 1937 after earning his B. S., M. S. and Ph.D from University of Indiana. O’Banion was a member of the first graduating class in Atomic Energy at Oak Ridge Institute in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The first atomic bomb was built there. 31

  » O’BANION: Street marker remembers this educator

  O’HARA: Scarlett – She was the heroine of Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer Prize winning novel (1937) and blockbuster motion picture (1939), Gone With the Wind, staring Vivien Leigh as Scarlett and Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. The street to the west is Scarlett.

  O’REILLY: W. M. – See sidebar Houston Streets Named for Men Killed During World War I, page 22

  P

  P: (See Luella.)

  PABLO PICASSO: This Spanish artist was the father of Cubism, a style of painting and sculpture that developed in Paris in the early 20th century. Its principal characteristic is the reduction and fragmentation of natural forms into abstract geometric structures rendered in different planes. His most famous and powerful painting, Guernica (1937), depicts the horrors of the Spanish Civil War. Today it hangs in the Reina Sophia, Spain’s national museum of modern art, in Madrid. 1

  PACKARD: See sidebar Fairbanks Could Have Its Own Concours d’ Elegance and Road Rally, page 140.

  PAIGE: David H. – This early Houston businessman was co-owner of the Houston & Texas Central Railroad that he and his partner Cornelius Ennis bought for $10,000 out of bankruptcy. The street to the immediate east is Ennis. (See Ennis.) 2

  PALM AIRE: See sidebar Tennis or Golf, Anyone?, page 348.

  PALMER: Arnold – See sidebar Tennis or Golf, Anyone?, page 348.

  PALMER: This early Houston family amassed significant land holdings east of downtown Houston in the 1880s and 1890s. 3

  PALMETTO: See sidebar Bali Hai May Call You, page 322.

  PALOMINO: (See Appaloosa.)

  PANDORA: This mythical Greek goddess was Zeus’ creation as retribution for Prometheus stealing fire from the gods. She was given a jar (Pandora’s Box) and told not to open it. However, Pandora’s curiosity got the better of her. When she took a look, all manner of evil poured out into the mortal world. Only hope remained in the jar as she slammed the box closed before it could escape. 4

  PANORAMA: This small (1.1 square mile in area), unincorporated jurisdiction called Panorama Village is just north of Conroe. It was begun in the 1960s. 5

  PANTHER CREEK: This Woodlands street is named for a watercourse called Panther Branch. It flows southeast from its headwaters in Montgomery County to where it empties into Spring Creek on the Harris County line. 6

  PAPEETE: See sidebar Bali Hai May Call You, page 322.

  PAR ONE: Had the developers of Roman Forest Country Club ever played golf before naming this street? In a neighborhood full of winding lanes with golf associated names (Eagle, Putters Green, Fairway and Pebble Beach) how could you not know there is no such hole as a one par. Even in miniature golf the lowest is a par two.

  PARK PLACE: This southeast side neighborhood was developed in the 1930s by Park Place Company who named this main thoroughfare for the corporation. 7

  PARK TEN: The location of this west side drive produces its name. It is situated between 1-10 and Bear Creek Park. 8

  PARKVIEW: In 1903 Houston Electric Company, a firm that operated a number of the city’s electric streetcar lines, constructed a private park east of Houston Avenue and north of White Oak Bayou. It was called Highland Park. The street on the north side of this green space was named Parkview. In 1911 the park was sold to the city and renamed Woodland Park. 9

  PARKWAY: James A. Baker, Jr., father of the former Secretary of Treasury and State James III, was the developer of Broadacres. He and architect William Ward Watkin named the U-shaped pattern of streets North, West and South Boulevards and since there was a small private park on the east side, that street became Parkway rather than East. 10

  PARTHENON: Developers of Roman Forest got their geography a bit muddled when they named this street. This famous Greek temple to the goddess Athena sits on the hilltop called the Acropolis in Athens. 11

  PASADENA: This is the Chippewa Indian word for “Crown of the Valley.” A detailed study of this ship channel city fails to produce any noticeably beautiful valleys. Rather Charles Munger named the street and town in honor of the California city of the same name. 12

  PASCHALL: Samuel – Early in Houston’s history it was suggested to city officials that they name a street for each of Austin’s Old 300 plus every soldier that fought at the Battle Of San Jacinto. Although this did not come to pass we do have a number of streets honoring veterans of that battle. Paschall was born in Tennessee in 1815 and came to Texas to help with the fight for independence. There is a historical marker honoring him in St. Vincent’s Cemetery on Navigation. 13

  PATRICIA: Land developer Herman E. Detering named this street for a female friend when he was building an office park off of the Gulf Freeway. 14

  PATRICK HENRY: This American patriot, lawyer, orator and Governor of Virginia during the American Revolution is best remembered for his speech before the Virginia Provisional Convention in 1775. At that gathering he uttered the famous words, “Give me liberty or give me death.” 15

  PATTERSON: Charles H. – See sidebar Houston Streets Named for Men Killed During World War I, page 22.

  PATTI LYNN: (See Lorrie Lake.)

  PATTON: George Smith, Jr. – He was a brilliant tank commander in WW I and WW II and earned the nickname “Old Blood and Guts.” During the Second World War his tactical genius was displayed with victories in North Africa, Sicily and the charge of Allied troops from Normandy, across France and through Germany to ultimate victory. The only blemish on his outstanding military career was a highly publicized incident in which he slapped a soldier he thought was a coward. The man was actually suffering from battle fatigue. Patton died in an automobile accident shortly after the close of the War. 16

  PATTON: See sidebar Brazoria County’s Old Plantation Streets and Roads, page 258.

  PAUL QUINN: William Paul Quinn was the fourth bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Paul Quinn College, the oldest black liberal arts college in Texas, was also named in his honor. It was founded in Austin in 1872 for the purpose of educating former slaves in industrial skills such as blacksmithing and carpentry. In 1990 the school moved to Dallas taking over the former campus of Bishop College. 17

  PAUL REVERE: This American patriot was a participant in the Boston Tea Party, a Revolutionary War hero and is known by every school child who reads Longfellow’s poem about his midnight ride on April 18, 1775 from Charlestown to Lexington to warn Bostonians that “the British are coming!” 18

  PAYNE: Houston Lighting & Power (now Reliant Energy) once owned some acreage in Woodland Heights. They developed an amusement park near what today is Woodland Park. This street that dead-ends into that park is named for Mr. Payne who was president of the Light Company at that time. 19

  PEACH CREEK: An Anglo-American settlement started in this area of Montgomery County in the mid-1830s. Early pioneers named this 37-mile spring-fed creek. One of the longer creeks in the area its banks are lined with loblolly and short leaf pine; sweet and blackgum; water, post and willow oak; elm; pecan and black hickory trees. Oddly there are no peach trees. 20

  PEACH POINT: (See Chocolate Bayou.)

  PEACHTEX: See sidebar Howdy Tex, page 263.

  PEARCE: Louis, J. E., Lafayette and Oscar – These men worked at Texas Iron Works in Baytown. As far as I know this is the only area street named for four brothers. 21

  PEARLAND SCHOOL: This road leads to Pearland High School and its nearby football stadium. 22

  PEARLAND: This northern Brazoria County town began life in 1882 as Mark Belt, a siding on the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad. In 1893 the name was changed to Pearland because of the large number of pear tree orchards in the area
. The city was once grandly promoted as an “agricultural Eden.” 23

  PEARSON: Edward Adolphus – His father, P. E. Pearson, came to Texas in 1867 and settled in Fort Bend County. Edward was born in Matagorda in 1867. Later he was elected Sheriff of the county. 24

  PEARTEX: See sidebar Howdy Tex, page 263.

  PEASE: Elisha Marshall – This Connecticut Yankee arrived in Stephen F. Austin’s court of Texas in 1835. A strong advocate of Texas independence, Pease fought in the first battle of the revolution at Gonzales. This Texas patriot served as chief clerk of the Texas Navy, Secretary of the Treasury, legislator and senator in the Texas Legislature and two-term Governor (1853 and 1855). He opposed secession from the Union and did not participate in the War Between the States. His influence with the Union occupation government benefited Texas greatly during the period of Reconstruction. 25

  PECANTEX: See sidebar Howdy Tex, page 263.

  PECH: Here is another Spring Branch street named for one of the pioneer German families who immigrated to America. Moritz Pech was one of the first immigrant children born in the area in 1860. His son, Albert “Boots” Pech, was a founding member of the Spring Branch Volunteer Fire Department. 26

  PECORE: R. C. – See sidebar Houston Streets Named for Men Killed During World War I, page 22. 27

  PEDEN: Edward Andrew – In 1902 he founded Peden Iron and Steel Company, a supply house for hardware, iron, steel, rails and oilfield equipment. He was a very important man holding directorships with the Harris County Navigation and Canal Company, First National Bank, Goose Creek Oil Company, Houston Lighting & Power, to mention a few. He was a trustee of the Houston Art League (now the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston). It is possible that since this Montrose area street is not far from that venerable old arts organization that it was named for Peden. 28

  PEDERNALES FALLS: See sidebar The Most Scenic Spots in Texas, page 310.

  PELICAN ISLAND: This is a small island north of Galveston Harbor. It was named for the huge number of pelicans that nested there. During the War Between the States Confederates tried to fool the Union Navy by installing “quakers” or fake cannons at the small fort there. The trick failed and Union forces captured Pelican Island. When the South recaptured Galveston six real casement guns were brought and secured the island. Since then it has been used by the fishing and oyster industries, as an immigration station, shipyard and by Texas A & M University. 29

  PELLY: Fred T. – This native of Great Britain was a large landowner on Galveston Bay. The place was first called Old Town, then Middle Town and finally Pelly in 1920. He was the town’s first mayor. Pelly remained independent until its incorporation into Baytown in 1947. So while the town no longer exists, the street name remembers this early settler. (See Tri-Cities.) 30

  PEMBERTON: Incorporated in 1927, The Pemberton Company was a land developer in West University Place where this street is located. The firm paid $86,000 for 40 acres of raw land. A shareholder of the company was H. B. Schlesinger, the first mayor of West University (1925-33). 31

  PENN CITY: Years ago this was a small town on the banks of Buffalo Bayou near where the Houston Ship Channel is today. Eventually the town was absorbed into Cloverleaf. (See Cloverleaf.) 32

  PENN: William – This English citizen was drawn toward the principles of Quakerism after he graduated from Oxford in 1662. However, he is most remembered as the colonizer of what would come to be known as Pennsylvania, a place where the Society of Friends could practice religious freedom. (See Friendswood and Quaker.) 33

  PERCUSSION: See sidebar It’s Music to My Ears, page 218.

  PERKINS: The Perkins Development Company developed Trinity Gardens where this east side street is located. Among their other projects were Bonita Gardens, Burbank Gardens, Colonial Gardens and Kashmere Gardens. 34

  PERRY LANDING: This boat landing was on the Brazos River south of Angleton. It was owned by James F. Perry who had established Peach Point Plantation there in 1832. (See Chocolate Bayou.) 35

  PERRY: Fred – This English tennis professional was one of the great players of the 1930s. He won the Australian Championship (1934), French Open (1935), Wimbledon (1934-36) and U. S. Open (1933, 1934, 1936). Perry is the last British player to win all four major singles titles. He was also quite a ladies man having relationships with movie stars Marlene Dietrich, Helen Vinson and Sandra Breaux before entering a 40 year marriage to Barbara Riese. 36

  PERSHING: John J. - He was one of the greatest generals in American military history. Never one to dodge a fight, “Blackjack” Pershing fought in the Indian, Spanish-American and Philippine Wars as well as WW I. Texans remember him for leading the punitive force that chased Pancho Villa in 1916 following Villa’s attack on Columbus, New Mexico. 37

  PETERS-SAN FELIPE: This Austin County road connects these two small towns. The area around Peters was settled in the mid 1820s. The town was established in 1880 as a station on the Bellville-Sealy spur of the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad. Albert Peters was an early resident. San Felipe was founded by Stephen F. Austin as the unofficial capitol of his colony. It was the first urban center in what would become Texas. The whole name was San Felipe de Austin. Felipe de Garza, the governor of the Eastern Interior Provinces of Mexico, named it to honor Stephen F. Austin and his own patron saint. History buffs should pay a visit to the Stephen F. Austin State Historical Park here. (See Railspur.) 38

  PETERSBURG: See sidebar Antebellum Streets of River Plantation, page 122.

  PETRICH: Wilhelm F. – This German settler arrived in northwest Harris County in the mid-1800s. The Petrich farm was where this road is located. His grave in the historic St. John Lutheran Cemetery is the oldest dated tombstone there. (See Lutheran Cemetery.) 7

  PEVETO: Michael, Jr. – He was a soldier in the Texas Army who fought at the Battle of San Jacinto under the command of Captain William M. Logan. For unknown reasons he died of poor health shortly after the battle. 39

  PHAIR CEMETERY: This Brazoria County community has been called Ranch Prairie, Phair and Stratton Ridge. Reverend George H. Phair was a Methodist circuit rider who served churches in Velasco in 1875-1885. Two parishioners, E. B. and Mollie Thomas, donated the land for this cemetery in 1853. Today it is a ghost town. 40

  PHILLIPS COMPANY: Both Phillips Petroleum and Phillips Chemical have an industrial district here on the Houston Ship Channel. Phillips Petroleum was founded in 1917. In 1921 they branded their famous “Phillips 66” gasoline. It got its name for two reasons. First, an executive was riding back to Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the corporate headquarters, and commented on the speed of the automobile saying: “This car goes like 60 on our new gas.” To which the driver responded: “Sixty nothing. We are going 66!” Second, this event took place on the “Mother Road,” U.S. Highway 66, often remembered as Route 66. The decision was made and the rest is history. In 1951 chemists at Phillips invented polyethylene plastic. One of the more famous products made from this material was “hula hoops” during that 1950s craze. 41

  PICCADILLY CIRCUS: This world famous traffic circle in western London is remembered for its quaint name and the statue or Eros, the Greek god of love, who towers above it. 42

  PICKENS: See sidebar Texas Heroes’ Names for Houston Streets Urged in 72 Proposed Changes, page 96.

  PICKETT: George Edward – This gentleman was an able general for the Confederates during the War Between the States. He served admirably at the battles of Williamsburg, Seven Pines, Gaines Mill, Fredericksburg, Petersburg and Cold Harbor. Unfortunately, he is remembered for leading the disastrous attack on Cemetery Hill during the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. Known as “Pickett’s Charge,” of the 4,500 men who entered the fray, 3,393 were killed. This unmitigated defeat was certainly the turning point of this battle and possibly of the entire war. 43

  PICNIC: Located in Memorial Park, the largest urban park in Texas at 1,466-acres, this loop has been popular with Houstonians as a place for family outings since the park opened in 1925. (See Memorial and Logan.) 44r />
  PIERCE: Franklin - As the 14th President of the United States he tried to govern during the tumultuous time just prior to the Civil War. Because he opposed President Lincoln during the War for what he believed was exceeding constitutional authority, Texans could identify with him. 45

  PIERRE SCHLUMBERGER: This gentleman is a member of the founding family of oilfield service giant Schlumberger. (See Schlumberger.)

  PIFER: Claude and Hilda – This couple donated the land for this tiny Hunter’s Creek Village street. 46

  PIGEON: (See Shooting Center.)

  PILLOT: Eugene – Located near the Houston Ship Channel, this street recalls a man who was involved early on in the development of that great project. Pillot was born in France, learned carpentry in New York and came to Texas in 1837. He made his money in the building business and invested in a number of ventures including the Houston, East & West Texas Railway, Texas Western Railway and Houston Direct Navigation Company. Chartered in 1866 this firm dramatically improved navigation and transportation along Buffalo Bayou. His son, Camille, became a partner of Henry Henke in the Henke & Pillot grocers. 47

  PIMLICO: The Maryland Jockey Club owns this Baltimore horse race course. Every May it is the site of the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of racing’s Triple Crown. (See Preakness and Triple Crown.)

  PIN OAK: This Galleria area street was named for the Pin Oak Stables that once were on the site. The Abercrombie family owned the land and built the facility for their only daughter, Josephine. She began riding horses at four years of age and became an accomplished horsewoman. Annually the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show was held at the arena there. It was one of the premier social events of the season in the 1950s. 48

  PINE GULLY: This street is named for a short stream that starts south of Gulfgate Mall, runs northeast and empties into Sims Bayou. 49