Denver Harbor, Houston facts for kids
Denver Harbor is a historic neighborhood in eastern Houston, Texas, United States. It's located close to the Houston Ship Channel. This community is bordered by Wallisville Road, the Union Pacific Railroad, and the Port Terminal Railroad Association. People first settled here in the 1890s. The area was officially planned out in 1911 and 1913. Denver Harbor has many old bungalow and cottage-style homes. Most people living in Denver Harbor today are of Hispanic heritage.
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History of Denver Harbor
Denver Harbor was first settled in the 1890s. Its streets and lots were officially mapped out in 1911 and 1913. The area started as four different sections: Denver, Harbor, Harbordale, and Liberty Heights. The names "Denver" and "Harbor" eventually combined to form "Denver Harbor." This name now describes the whole community.
Many early residents came from Texas farms. They moved to the city to find better lives and jobs. These jobs were often on the railroads or in factories near the Houston Ship Channel. People from Greece, Italy, and Poland also settled in Denver Harbor. The City of Houston officially added Denver Harbor to its city limits in 1929. This added about 885 acres (358 hectares) of land to Houston.
The "Podunk" Nickname
On June 1, 1939, someone mysteriously wrote "Podunk" on the local water tower. The city tried to paint over it, but the word always reappeared. Residents felt inspired by this act of defiance. They soon started calling themselves "Podunkers." A local youth basketball team even called themselves the Podunk Skunks.
This nickname was used in the 1930s and 1940s. It showed that Denver Harbor was considered "out-of-the-way." Jay Grady, a resident, said in 2007 that people felt proud of the nickname. Back then, Denver Harbor was on the very edge of Houston. It felt more like living in the country than in the city. Grady explained that the community felt like a "stepchild" to Houston. It was a hardworking area with many blue-collar workers.
As more Hispanic American families moved into the area, the "Podunk" nickname was used less often. Dr. Jay Grady wrote a book about Denver Harbor. He also tried to get Denver Harbor declared the "official mythical town of Texas." This was because of the "Podunk" nickname. A resolution in the Texas House of Representatives passed. However, most members of the Texas Senate rejected it.
In August 2007, Tropical Storm Erin caused flooding. Streets and houses in Denver Harbor were affected.
Parks and Fun in Denver Harbor
The City of Houston manages several parks in Denver Harbor.
- Selena Quintanilla Perez Park-Denver Harbor is at 6402 Market Street. It's named after the famous singer Selena Quintanilla-Pérez. This park has a hiking and bike trail that is almost a mile long. It also has a volleyball court, a swimming pool, a playground, and a lighted sports field.
- The Denver Harbor Multi-Service Center is at the same address. It has a weight room, an indoor gym, and meeting rooms.
- Cliff Tuttle Park is located at 6200 Lyons Avenue.
- Santos & Esther Nieto Park is at 500 Port Street.
Community and Culture
The Union Pacific Railroad tracks run north-south. They separate Denver Harbor from the Fifth Ward neighborhood. In the 1990s, many African-Americans from the Fifth Ward would come to Denver Harbor. They shopped at the local supermarket and stores. However, Hispanic residents from Denver Harbor rarely went into the Fifth Ward.
Schools in Denver Harbor
Public Schools
Students in Denver Harbor attend schools in the Houston Independent School District. The area is part of Trustee District VIII.
The elementary schools serving different parts of Denver Harbor include:
- Charles Eliot Elementary School
- Raul C. Martínez Elementary School
- Pugh Elementary School
- Scroggins Elementary School
All students in Denver Harbor attend McReynolds Middle School. They then go to Wheatley High School.
- Eliot Elementary opened in 1926.
- Pugh Elementary got its name in 1952.
- McReynolds Middle School opened in 1957.
- Scroggins Elementary opened in 1968.
- Martínez Elementary opened in 1994.
When Wheatley High School became desegregated, Houston ISD changed school zones. Denver Harbor, which had mostly Hispanic students, was zoned to Wheatley. Many Hispanic students preferred to attend Austin High School and Furr High School. This was because they became the majority of students at those schools.
Catholic School
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston runs Resurrection School. This is a Catholic school for students from pre-kindergarten (3K) to 8th grade. It is located at 916 Majestic Street. Its first building was built in the summer of 1937.
Community College
Residents of Denver Harbor can attend classes at the Houston Community College System.
Libraries
The Houston Public Library operates the Cliff Tuttle Neighborhood Library. It is located at 702 Kress Street.
Famous People from Denver Harbor
- Ben Reyes (a former politician)
- Chris Salazar (a Rapper and Musician)
See also
In Spanish: Denver Harbor (Houston) para niños
