National Register of Historic Places listings in outer Harris County, Texas facts for kids

Did you know that some places are so important to history that they get a special spot on a list? In Harris County, Texas, outside the big I-610 loop in Houston, there are many such places. This list is called the National Register of Historic Places. It helps protect and celebrate buildings, areas, and even archaeological sites that tell us about the past of Texas and the United States.

You'll find some cool spots related to space exploration, like those at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. There are also several important places in Independence Heights, Houston, which was once a very special neighborhood.

Amazing Historic Places in Outer Harris County

Space History and Innovation

Outer Harris County is home to some incredible places linked to space exploration.

Apollo Mission Control Center

The Apollo Mission Control Center at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston is a truly historic spot. This is where NASA engineers guided astronauts during the famous Apollo missions, including the moon landings! It was added to the National Register in 1985.

The Apollo Mission Control Center, where space history was made.

Saturn V Launch Vehicle

Also at the Johnson Space Center in Houston is a giant Saturn V rocket. This massive rocket was used to launch astronauts to the Moon! Seeing it up close is a reminder of the incredible power and engineering that made space travel possible. It became a historic listing in 2003.

A massive Saturn V rocket on display at the Johnson Space Center.

Space Environment Simulation Laboratory

The Space Environment Simulation Laboratory at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston is another key NASA site. This lab has huge chambers where engineers can test spacecraft and equipment in conditions similar to space, like extreme temperatures and vacuum. It was listed in 1985.

Inside the Space Environment Simulation Chamber, where spacecraft are tested.

Battles, Boats, and Old Airports

This area also holds sites important to battles and transportation history.

San Jacinto Battlefield

The San Jacinto Battlefield is located east of Houston on TX 134. This is where the Battle of San Jacinto took place in 1836, a very important battle that led to Texas winning its independence from Mexico. It's a key part of Texas history and was listed in 1966.

A reenactment at the San Jacinto Battlefield.

USS Texas (BB-35)

Near the San Jacinto Battlefield, you can find the U.S.S. TEXAS. This battleship is a true survivor, having served in both World War I and World War II! It's now a museum ship and a National Historic Landmark, listed in 1976.

The historic battleship USS Texas.

1940 Air Terminal Museum

The Houston Municipal Airport Terminal is located at 8325 Travelair Road in Houston. This building was once the main terminal for Houston's airport and shows what air travel was like in the 1940s. It's a cool place to learn about aviation history and was listed in 2019.

The old Houston Municipal Airport Terminal, now a museum.

Historic Neighborhoods and Homes

Many homes and neighborhoods in outer Harris County have stories to tell.

Independence Heights Residential Historic District

Independence Heights is a very special neighborhood in Houston. It was the first African-American city in Texas to be officially incorporated (meaning it became its own town) in 1908. The Independence Heights Residential Historic District was listed in 1997, recognizing its importance.

Homes in the historic Independence Heights neighborhood.

Several individual homes within Independence Heights are also listed:

• Ben C. and Jenetter Cyrus House (325 E. 25th St., listed 1997)

The Ben C. and Jenetter Cyrus House.

• Charles Johnson House (301 E. 35th St., listed 1997)

The Charles Johnson House.

• Ella Lewis Store and Rental Houses (3404-3406-3408 Cortlandt St., listed 1997)

The Ella Lewis Store and Rental Houses.

• Oscar Lindsay House (7415 N. Main St., listed 1997)

The Oscar Lindsay House.

• William Mackey House (313 E. 37th St., listed 1997)

Morgan's Point Historic District

Morgan's Point is a small town with a rich history. The Morgan's Point Historic District includes many old buildings that show what life was like in this community, especially its connection to the Houston Ship Channel. It was listed in 1994.

A view of the historic district in Morgan's Point.

Sterling S. Ross House

The Sterling S. Ross House at 515 Bayridge Road in Morgan's Point is a beautiful historic home. It was listed in 1982.

The Sterling S. Ross House.

Dr. James M. and Dove Stewart House

In Katy, the Dr. James M. and Dove Stewart House at 5702 Fourth Street is another historic home. It was added to the list in 1996.

The Dr. James M. and Dove Stewart House.

Walker House

The Walker House at 3534 Miramar Drive in Shoreacres is a historic building listed in 2012.

The Walker House.

James M. and Jessie West Mansion

The James M. and Jessie West Mansion was once located at 3303 NASA Road 1 in Pasadena. It was listed in 1994 but was sadly taken down in 2019.

Peter and Sophie Wunderlich Farm

The Peter and Sophie Wunderlich Farm at 18202 Theiss Mail Road in Klein is a historic farm that shows how people lived and farmed in the past. It was listed in 1997.

Wunsche Bros. Saloon and Hotel

The Wunsche Bros. Saloon and Hotel at 103 Midway Street in Spring is a historic building that once served as both a saloon and a hotel. It was listed in 1984.

The Wunsche Bros. Saloon and Hotel.

Other Important Structures and Sites

Houston National Cemetery

The Houston National Cemetery at 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive in Houston is a special place where military veterans are laid to rest. It was recognized as a historic site in 2017.

The Hemicycle at Houston National Cemetery.

Independence Park (Houston, Texas)

Independence Park in Houston, roughly bounded by the 1000 block of E. 40th Street, was listed in 1997.

A field at Independence Park.

Pomeroy Homestead

The Pomeroy Homestead at 202 and 204 S. Main Street in Pasadena is a historic property that was listed in 2003.

State Highway 35 Bridge at the West Fork of the San Jacinto River

This historic bridge, located on US 59 north of FM 1960 near Humble, was listed in 1996. It's an example of older bridge engineering.

The State Highway 35 Bridge.

Sylvan Beach Pavilion

The Sylvan Beach Pavilion at 554 N Bayshore Drive in La Porte is a historic building located by the water. It was listed in 2010.

The Sylvan Beach Pavilion.

Washburn Tunnel

The Washburn Tunnel at 3198 Washburn Tunnel in Pasadena is an underwater tunnel that connects two parts of Harris County. It was listed in 2008.

The Washburn Tunnel entrance.

Woodlawn Garden of Memories Cemetery

The Woodlawn Garden of Memories Cemetery at 1101 Antoine in Houston is a historic cemetery that was listed in 2004.

Woodlawn Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Archaeological Sites

Some historic places are not buildings, but sites where scientists find clues about people who lived long ago. These are called archaeological sites.

• Armand Bayou Archeological District in Pasadena (listed 1978)
• Barker-Cypress Archeological Site (41HR436) in Houston (listed 1984)
• Cedar Bayou Archeological District in Baytown (listed 1979)
• Harris County Boy's School Site in Houston (listed 1979). This site has middens (old trash piles) and burials, which tell us about past communities.

The Harris County Boy's School Archaeological Site.

• Mansfield Street Archeological Site in Houston (listed 1978)

Places No Longer on the List

Sometimes, places are removed from the National Register of Historic Places. This can happen if they are destroyed or if their historical importance changes.

• Dr. B. J. Covington House (2219 Dowling St., Houston) was listed in 1978 but later removed. Dowling Street was renamed Emancipation Avenue in 2017.
• General Mercantile Store (7322 N. Main St., Houston) was listed in 1997 but removed in 2014.

The General Mercantile Store (rear view).

• Bill Mraz Dance Hall (835 W. 34th Street, Houston) was listed in 1998 but removed in 2004 after it was destroyed by fire.