City of West University Place
West University Place, Harris County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Tennessee politician Ben W. Hooper led investors in forming the West End Realty Co. in 1910. They chose land near Rice Institute, which opened in 1912, and created West University Place, connected to Houston by streetcar. Homesites sold primarily to young, middle-class families. Trying to address the area's frequent flooding, citizens incorporated in 1924, electing L.B. Ryon as mayor. The city's second mayor, Harold B. Schlesinger, helped develop a strong infrastructure. With several additions, the city grew to its current size, approximately two square miles. Today, the independent, viable community features park space and other amenities for its several thousand residents. (2004)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
West University Place began in 1910 when Tennessee politician Ben W. Hooper led investors to develop land beside the new Rice Institute, connected to Houston by streetcar and marketed to young middle-class families. Battling frequent flooding, residents incorporated in 1924 and, under early mayors, built the infrastructure of a compact two-square-mile city that endures today.
Why it matters
It is a textbook streetcar suburb whose incorporation shows how early-20th-century Americans used local self-government to solve the practical problems of rapid urban growth.
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Related people
- · Ben W. Hooper
- · L.B. Ryon
- · Harold B. Schlesinger
Themes & tags
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