Roy and Lillie Cullen Building
Houston, Harris County, Texas
Marker Inscription
The Baylor University College of Medicine moved to Houston in 1943 from Dallas to launch the proposed Texas Medical Center. The building to house Baylor’s medical school was named after Hugh Roy and Lillie Cullen who moved to Houston in 1911 and made their fortune in oil. The Cullen Foundation’s first check was written in 1947 to fund the new medical building. Architects Hedrick and Lindsley designed the building with modern deco elements and Texas cream limestone. A portico was added in 1982 to enhance the main entrance. The Cullen Building remains at the heart of the Texas Medical Center. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark – 2014
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When Baylor University's College of Medicine moved from Dallas to Houston in 1943 to help launch the Texas Medical Center, its new home was named for oil-fortune couple Hugh Roy and Lillie Cullen, whose foundation wrote its first check in 1947 to fund the building. Architects Hedrick and Lindsley clad it in Texas cream limestone with modern Deco touches, and a portico was added in 1982. The Cullen Building still stands at the heart of what became one of the world's largest medical complexes.
Why it matters
The building marks the founding moment of the Texas Medical Center, where Texas oil wealth and philanthropy seeded a medical hub of national importance.
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Related people
- · Hugh Roy Cullen
- · Lillie Cullen
Themes & tags
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