Historic Houston Streets

by Marks Hinton

  RETRIEVE: Retrieve Plantation was located on Oyster Creek north of Lake Jackson. It was established by Abner Jackson in 1839. Three years later he sold a half interest to James Hamilton, a former governor of South Carolina and an emissary to the Republic of Texas. By the 1850s they were two of the largest sugar cane growers in the state. Following the deaths of Jackson and Hamilton the property passed through many hands. Finally in 1918, the Texas Department of Corrections purchased Retrieve and converted it into a prison farm unit of the same name. (See Jackson.) 37

  RETTON: Mary Lou – We have streets named for baseball players (Nolan Ryan), football players (Ken Hall), boxers (Joe Louis), tennis champions (Rod Laver) and golfers (Lee Trevino) however, this is our only street honoring a gymnast. Mary Lou Retton became America’s sweetheart during the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. During that Olympiad she won a gold medal in the Women’s All-Around, silver medal in the Vault, bronze medals in Uneven Bars and Floor Exercises and a silver Team medal, the most won by any athlete at those games. Her athletic prowess, marvelous personality and radiant smile earned her the Sports Illustrated “Sportswoman of the Year.” Retton is a member of the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. 38

  REVERSE: This Westview Terrace street connects Saxet (Texas in reverse) and Remlap (the reverse spelling of Palmer). (See Remlap and Palmer.) 39

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

  RHEMAN: Casper John – He was a plantation manager for Houstonian T. W. House in the mid 1800s. The plantation was between where Brookshire and Fulshear are today. 40

  RHETT BUTLER: See sidebar Gone with the Wind Too far, page 303.

  RHODE ISLAND: In the 1800s this short rail line went from Cumberland, Rhode Island to the Massachusetts state line. 41

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

  RICE DRYER: This short Pearland road leads to an old American Rice, Inc. rice dryer. This company produces approximately 10% of the rice grown in the U. S. Some of their better known brand names are Comet, Blue Ribbon and Adolphus. 19

  RICE FIELD: The counties west of Houston were some of the largest rice farming areas in America. This Sealy road recalls this fact. Rice growing began here at the start of the 20th Century. Decade by decade it expanded. With the advancements in agriculture, rice production grew tremendously in the 1950s and 1960s. However, with urban sprawl rapidly moving west land used to grow rice began falling. In Waller County rice fields declined 59% from 1980 until 1992.42

  RICE: William Marsh – Rice gave an endowment of $200,000 in 1891 “for the foundation of an institute for the advancement of literature, science and art,” now Rice University. Rice died in New York City under mysterious circumstances on September 24, 1900. It was actually a case of the “butler did it.” On April 23, 1901 Charles Jones, Rice’s manservant, was indicted for his murder. He was tried and convicted. Rice was cremated and his ashes are kept under his statue in the quadrangle at the university he founded, making the campus the largest private cemetery in the city. Rice Institute opened September 23, 1912.43

  » RICE: A portrait of William Marsh Rice

  RICEVILLE SCHOOL: Leonard Rice founded the small southwest Harris County town of Riceville in 1850 as a black farming community. In addition to the school, the community centered around the Mount Olive Baptist Church and the Riceville Cemetery. Like Bordersville and other black neighborhoods, it was annexed by the City of Houston in the 1960s. However, as late as 1982 Riceville had no city services, public water facilities nor sanitary sewer lines. 44

  RICHEY: Calvin – He was an early resident of Westfield. Richey was known for his agricultural skills and his farm raised everything from produce and cotton to cattle and chickens. 45

  RICHEY: John – This Texas pioneer settled in the area near Pasadena. He bought 20 acres of land along Vince’s Bayou for $500 in January 1893. This was the first land sale recorded in Pasadena. He later doubled the size of his land holdings. 46

  RICHMOND STATE SCHOOL: The Richmond State School for the Mentally Retarded opened in April 1968. The 242-acre campus is operated by the Texas Department of Mental Health. Plans called for a capacity of 1,500 patients but it never housed more than 1,023 (1980.) With a change in thinking as to the best way to treat mental health problems the school has become the focal point of a controversy. 47

  RICHMOND: As one of Houston’s oldest streets, it was the road to Richmond, Texas, county seat of Fort Bend County. In 1822 a group of men led by William W. Little set up camp here. Soon they were joined by colonists with Stephen F. Austin. Together they built a fort on a bend in the Brazos River that was the nucleus of the settlement they called Fort Bend. In 1837 the town of Richmond was established by Robert E. Handy and William Lusk. It was named for Richmond, England. Some of Texas’ most famous citizens have lived here including Erastus “Deaf” Smith, Mirabeau B. Lamar and Jane Long. (See Deaf Smith, Lamar and Jane Long.) 48

  RICHWOOD: This street is in Richwood Village, a suburban community north of Brazosport that was established in 1944. It was originally part of Stephen F. Austin’s league. 49

  RIEDEL: The Riedel family arrived in the Spring Branch area in 1903. They bought 50 acres of land and started a farm. 50

  RIESNER: Edmund L. – The son of a German immigrant, B. A. Riesner came to Houston in 1866 when he was 10 years of age. Starting as a blacksmith he soon founded a structural steel company. In addition he owned a carriage manufacturing company. Riesner made a fortune in real estate and owned the land where the street is today. In honor of his son Edmund (79th Company, 6th Regiment, United States Marines) who was killed in action on June 14, 1916 at Chateau Thierry in WW I, the elder Riesner changed the name of the street from Young’s Alley. (See photograph on page 266.) 51

  RIETTA: (See Antha.)

  RIGEL: See sidebar Starry Night, page 111.

  » RIESNER: E.L. Riesner’s tombstone in Glenwood Cemetery

  RILEY FUZZEL: The Riley Fuzzel Farm is a wholesale nursery near Spring. It commenced operations in 1996. In 2002 a second location was opened in Leon County and operates as a tree farm. 8

  RIP VAN WINKLE: This ne’er-do-well character appeared in Washington Irving’s 1820 story collection, The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. He was famous as the man who fell asleep in the Catskill Mountains and did not awaken for 20 years. 52

  RIVA RIDGE: This colt won the 98th Kentucky Derby in 1972. After being bumped at the start he assumed command and cruised to a 3-3/4-length victory. He fell short in the Preakness, losing his chance for the Triple Crown. However, Ron Turcotte guided him to victory two weeks later at the Belmont. 53

  RIVER OAKS: Although now named for the abundance of oak trees that lined the banks of Buffalo Bayou, this is not the street’s original name. It was the first street in the neighborhood on which ground was broken and it was christened Ball Boulevard after Houston Port Commissioner Thomas Ball. (See 1924 plat map on page 267.) However, it was quickly renamed River Oaks Boulevard. There are several stories as to why this change occurred. Some say it better reflected the lush environment of the neighborhood. Others claim there was a skeleton in Mr. Ball’s closet that concerned the developers. Whatever the reason it remains one of that neighborhood’s more interesting mysteries. To find out more on Mr. Ball visit the River Oaks Home Owners Association and see if they will let you review their archives. You might just find something very interesting. 54

  RIVER PLANTATION: Located on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River in Montgomery County, this unincorporated community is home to more than 1,300 families. Homes are situated around a 27-hole golf course. Streets in the neighborhood have a War Between the States theme. (See Jeb Stuart, Gettysburg, Bull Run, Shiloh, Vicksburg and Jeff Davis.) 55

  » PLAT OF RIVER OAKS, 1924: Note River Oaks Boulevard was originally named Ball

  » RIVER OAKS: The Boulevard and original Country Club

  ROARK: Elijah Andrew – He came to Texas from Illinois in 1824 as one of Stephen F. Austin�
�s Old Three Hundred colonists receiving a league of land in what was to become Fort Bend County. He was a farmer and rancher. Roark was killed by Indians while transporting produce to San Antonio on December 24, 1829. His son, Leo Elijah Roark, survived the attack. He later joined the Texas Army and fought at the Siege of Bexar, Grass Fight and Conception. He may have served at the Battle of San Jacinto but is not listed on the official muster records. 56, 57

  ROBECK: This pioneer family owned land in northwest Harris County. If you pay a visit to the Siedel (Rosehill) Cemetery you can pay your respects to them. (See Siedel Cemetery.) 45

  ROBERT E. LEE: This soldier who was born in 1807 in Virginia became one of the most celebrated generals in American History. He graduated first in his class from West Point. He had a distinguished career in the U. S. Army for 32 years. He is best remembered for commanding the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia during the War Between the States. Washington & Lee University was named after him. Lee died in 1870. 58

  ROBERTS CEMETERY: Abram Roberts arrived in Texas in 1827 from Georgia. He was a member of Stephen F. Austin’s Colony. He established a town called New Kentucky in 1831 that attracted many German immigrants. It was abandoned in 1840. This road leads to the Roberts Cemetery where many of these early settlers are buried. A 1997 count lists 258 marked and 15 unmarked graves. Robert’s (1773-1850) unmarked grave is here. His son, George (1811-1874) is also interred here. The cemetery remains in use today. (See New Kentucky.) 59

  ROBERTS: Abraham – In 1831 this gentleman was given a land grant along Spring Creek. He was in the second group of colonists that Stephen F. Austin brought to Texas. 60

  BUON GIORNO, LET’S VISIT ITALIA

  In this small neighborhood north of U. S. Highway 290 everything is molto bene because everywhere you look you are reminded of one of the world’s most beautiful countries – Italy. Here we have Via Torre de Pisa (Tower of Pisa), Via Ponte Vecchio (Florence’s old bridge over the Arno River), Via Barolo (Italy’s finest red wine), Via Chianti (Italy’s most popular red wine), Via Da Vinci (Leonardo), Via Siena (a beautiful medieval city), Via firenze (Florence), Via Michelangelo (painter of the Sistine Chapel), San Rocco (St. Roch, healer of black plague victims), Via Toscano (Tuscany), Via Vina (wine but it is misspelled) and Via Palazzo (palace). 43

  ROBERTS: T. G. – He was an early settler in Katy, Texas. Roberts along with Reverend M. L. Lindsey, W.P. Bowers, J. E. Cabiness and E. M. Morton were founding members of the First United Methodist Church there in 1900. 61

  ROBERTS: The Roberts family were some of our earliest settlers. Abram arrived in 1827. He founded New Kentucky, a short lived community in 1831. On April 16, 1836 the Texas Army with General Sam Houston in command arrived at Roberts home and asked for directions to Harrisburg. Houston led his army there where five days later he defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto and earned Texas her independence. 17

  ROBIN HOOD: This legendary 12th century hero/outlaw lived in Sherwood Forest outside of Nottingham, England with his “merry band” that included Little John, Friar Tuck and Maid Marion. They robbed from the rich and gave to the poor much to the chagrin of the infamous Sheriff of Nottingham.

  ROBIN LAKE: (See Lorrie Lake.)

  ROBINDELL: Developer Robert Kuldell named this street from a combination of his daughter’s name, Robin, with the last four letters of his surname. Other streets in the neighborhood have avian related names such as Bob White, Sandpiper and Birdwood. 62

  ROBINOWITZ: Cecil and Abe – This Russian family immigrated to the United States in waves between 1898 and 1910 to begin a new life in Texas. They were initially peddlers but built up enough capital to establish a mercantile business. They opened stores in Richmond, Rosenberg and Beasley. 63

  ROBINSON: Emerson T. – Born in Arlington, Texas in 1876, Robinson moved his family to Missouri City in 1894. He owned a dry goods store, was postmaster and a member of the school board. 64

  ROBINSON: This family was prominent in the New Caney area. An early pioneer was John Wesley Robinson who in addition to ranching and farming owned a general store, a cotton gin and a mill. James B. Robinson was the first postmaster of New Caney. (See Presswood.) 65

  ROBINSON: W. Allen – This man and his family acquired 80 acres of land in 1894 where Missouri City is today. They lived in a spacious two story house with a large barn, smoke house, chicken coop and some farm outbuildings. 66

  ROCHEN: Not all immigrants who settled in the Houston area were German. In the 1890s Czechs arrived and bought farm land near Waller. In 1891 they founded St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Cemetery just north of where this road is located. Joe Rochen (1830-1911) is interred in the burial ground. The Great Hurricane of 1900 seriously impacted the community and by 1947 the church closed. Today the cemetery is known as St. Martin de Porres. 67

  ROCK ISLAND: Barbara Groce Clark named her plantation Rock Island. Located on the Brazos River, it was north of her grandfather’s Bernardo Plantation and northwest of his Liendo Plantation. Amos Gates, an early settler in the area, named the place for a small rock island in the Brazos River. Little is left to see here. When Hempstead was established most of the citizens of Rock Island moved there.68

  » ROCK OF CASHEL: One of Ireland’s most beautiful structures

  ROCK OF CASHEL: This historic castle is in Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland. Local lore says it was once part of Devil Bit Mountain, 18 miles north of Cashel. But when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave there the rock flew off and landed in Cashel. It was the seat of the Munster kings for centuries before the Norman invasion. The oldest part of the castle today is the round tower, dating from 1100. 69

  ROCKY FALLS: A waterfall caused by large boulders in the Brazos River was located at Richmond. Early on the steamboats attempting to navigate from the mouth of the river to Waco would blast away at them in order to widen the passage between the rocks. They have long since been removed to ease navigation. (See Pultar.) 70

  ROHM & HASS: With operations on the Houston Ship Channel, this company is one of the world’s leading producers of specialty chemicals such as adhesives, sealants, coatings and additives. They own the world’s largest salt company, Morton’s. Originally called Onondaga Salt Company, Joy Morton purchased that firm in 1886 and renamed the company after himself. This division traces it roots back to 1848 and is famous for its slogan, “When it rains, it pours.” 71

  ROMAN FOREST: This 1.48 square mile unincorporated village is in southeast Montgomery County. The streets have a Roman theme and include Caesar, Mark Anthony (misspelled), Brutus, Cassius, Octavian, Chariot, Coliseum and Gladiator. However, the developer’s historic acumen broke down when Athens and Parthenon (the most famous Greek monument) were added to the plat. (See Caesar, Marc Anthony, Brutus, Cassius, Octavian and Coliseum.) 72

  ROMAN: Richard – This soldier was one of General Sam Houston’s company commanders at the Battle of San Jacinto. 73

  ROMEO: (See Juliet.)

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

  ROOS: Simon – This Houston merchant owned a department store on Preston Street in downtown. Old timers may remember he had brass boot prints implanted in the sidewalk that led to the front door of the store. Employees shined the prints so they glistened like gold on sunny days. 74

  ROOSEVELT: Franklin Delano – The 32nd President of the United States, Roosevelt served his country during arguably some of the most difficult times a president ever faced including the Great Depression and WW II. As the only person to serve four consecutive terms in office some of the most important legislation in American history was passed under his administrations: Works Progress Administration, Securities & Exchange Commission, Social Security Administration and the Tennessee Valley Authority, just to mention a few. Do yourself a favor and read Hugh G. Gallagher’s FDR’s Splendid Deception. It is probably the best book ever written on this amazing and controversial man. 75

  ROSALIE: (See Anita and Mcllhenny.) 76

  ROSE: P.
W. – The subdivision map of the A. C. Reynolds league indicates this gentleman owned a league of land near what is today the Texas Medical Center. This short court may recall this early landowner. 77

  ROSEHILL CHURCH: Follow this road and you will arrive at the historic Rosehill United Methodist Church in the old town of Rosehill. (See Rosehill.) 78

  ROSEHILL: Located near Spring Creek, Rosehill was a rural community west of Tomball. There are three stories about the naming of this road and village. The first says it is named after P. W. Rose, an early resident of the now ghost town of New Kentucky. He arrived in the area in 1836. Sources indicate he was one of the first citizens to serve on a grand jury in Harris County. Second says the area was covered in wild roses. And finally, there was a very important slave there named Rose who ran the Duer Plantation.79

  ROSENBERG-KATY: Some of Stephen F. Austin’s Old 300 settled in what would become Rosenberg in 1823. The town owes its birth to its neighbor, Richmond, who refused to allow a right-of-way to the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad (GCSFRR). So the line was laid three miles to the west and Rosenberg was established. The town is named for Henry Rosenberg, a Swiss immigrant, who settled in Galveston. From 1874 until 1877 Rosenberg was president of the GCSF Railroad. (See Katy.) 80

  ROSENBERG: Henry – He was born in Switzerland in 1824. In 1843 he followed a Swiss friend, John Hessly, to Galveston where he went to work in Hessly’s dry goods store. He eventually bought his partner out and built it into Texas leading mercantile establishment. Rosenberg invested wisely in banking, real estate and transportation, making himself a sizable fortune. Being civic minded he served as an alderman in Galveston for many years. He is remembered for his philanthropy. He donated generously to the Orphan’s Home, Grace Episcopal Church, YMCA, erected the Texas Heroes Monument at Broadway and 25th streets and created the first free library in Texas, the Rosenberg Library. 81