Near Northside, Houston facts for kids

Near Northside is a cool, old neighborhood in Houston, Texas. It's part of the larger Northside area. For about 70 years, until 2015, most people living here were from Hispanic families. Before that, around 1900-1940, many immigrants from Germany and Italy settled here. Near Northside is also super close to Downtown Houston.

A Look Back: History of Near Northside

Development in Near Northside started in the late 1800s. This happened because the Hardy Rail Yards nearby were growing. Many immigrants from Europe, like Italians, Germans, Poles, and Czechs, moved to the area. It became a neighborhood where many working-class families lived.

After World War II, fewer trains came through, and more people started moving to the suburbs in Houston. This caused the neighborhood to change. Later, Hispanic immigrants, mostly from Mexico, began moving in. A big road called the Elysian Viaduct was built through the area. To build it, the city had to use something called eminent domain. This means the government can buy private land for public use, even if the owner doesn't want to sell, as long as they pay a fair price.

Moody Park Protests

Near Northside's Moody Park was the site of important protests in 1978. On May 7, 1978, the Mexican American community protested after a war veteran named Jose Campos Torres died while in police custody. The protests became a riot, leading to many arrests and damage to businesses and police cars. This event made the relationship between the police and Houston's Hispanic community even more difficult. However, it also led to important changes in how the police operated.

Protecting History

In 2005, an organization called Preservation Texas added Near Northside to a list of Texas's most endangered historic places. This means they wanted to help protect its old buildings and history. In 2011, the community was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which helps protect its historical value.

Modern Changes

In 2013, construction started on an expanded METRORail red line. This train line now runs right through the neighborhood, with several stations on North Main Street and Fulton Street. The trains started running on December 21, 2013.

By 2015, many inner Houston neighborhoods were experiencing gentrification. This is when an older, often poorer, neighborhood gets new, wealthier residents and businesses, sometimes changing its character. Some residents in a part of Near Northside called Glen Park wanted rules to prevent very large townhouses from being built. They hoped this would help keep the neighborhood's original feel.

Where is Near Northside?

The Near Northside community is located between Interstate 45, Hardy Street, Burnett Street, and roughly Cavalcade Street.

Before big highways were built in the mid-1900s, there was a spot at Hill Street and Lyons Avenue called "Pearl Harbor." A writer named Sigman Byrd wrote about this area. His stories were published in a book called Sig Byrd's Houston.

Learning in Near Northside: Schools and Libraries

Schools for Kids

Near Northside is served by the Houston Independent School District (HISD).

Elementary Schools

• Ketelsen Elementary
• Looscan Elementary
• C. Martinez Elementary
• Sherman Elementary

A brand new Northside Elementary School is being built where Sherman Elementary used to be. HISD plans to tear down the old Sherman Elementary and build a bigger school there. This new school will be about 86,000 square feet and can hold 750 students.

Middle and High Schools

All students in Near Northside go to Marshall Middle School and Northside High School. Northside High School used to be called Jefferson Davis High School. Marshall Middle School is across from Northside High.

Other Schools

• YES East End is a charter school for middle school students (Grade 6). It's actually located in the Near North Side area, even though its name mentions "East End."
• The Holy Name School, a private Catholic school for Kindergarten through 8th Grade, used to be in the area. However, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston announced its closing in January 2009.

Public Libraries

The Houston Public Library's Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Center for Learning serves the community. It's a great place to find books and learn new things.

Help for the Community: Services

Health Centers

The Harris Health System (which is like the county hospital system) runs two health centers in the area:

• The Casa de Amigos ("House of Friends") Health Center at 1615 North Main Street. This center opened on August 21, 1970.
• The Thomas Street Health Center at 2015 Thomas Street. This center specializes in helping people with AIDS.

The City of Houston Health Department also operates the Nueva Casa de Amigos ("New House of Friends") Clinic.

Images for kids

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  Northside Elementary School

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  Northside High School

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  Carnegie Neighborhood Library and Ana Maria Lopez Houston Police Department Storefront