Rice Military, Houston facts for kids
Rice Military is a lively neighborhood located in Houston, Texas, United States. It's known for its interesting mix of homes and its close location to popular spots. One of the most famous landmarks here is the Beer Can House, a house completely covered in flattened beer cans!
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Exploring Rice Military's Past
How Rice Military Got Its Name
The name "Rice Military" has two parts. The "Military" part comes from Camp Logan, a training camp for the U.S. Army during World War I. After the war, this camp became Memorial Park, a large green space nearby.
The "Rice" part of the name comes from the Rice family, who used to own this land. A very famous member of this family was William Marsh Rice. He left a lot of money to start Rice University, a well-known school in Houston.
From Farmland to a Busy Neighborhood
More than 80 years ago, Rice Military was a quiet, rural area. It had small local stores and simple homes on streets lined with trees.
Around the 1990s, artists started moving into the area, which began to change its feel. By 2003, many young professionals also moved to Rice Military. They liked being close to restaurants, theaters, and Memorial Park. A real estate agent even called Rice Military "a real urban center" because it became so busy and popular.
The neighborhood grew so much that by 2008, it was almost full. This meant new buildings started appearing in nearby areas too.
Brunner-Harmonium Historic District
In 2022, a special part of Rice Military was named the Brunner-Harmonium Historic District. This area includes eight old houses, most of which were built between 1905 and 1915. They are located on or near Blossom Street.
What Rice Military Looks Like
Location and Size
Rice Military is very close to Memorial Park and the fancy River Oaks neighborhood. You can even get to Downtown Houston in about five minutes from Rice Military!
The neighborhood has clear boundaries:
- North: Washington Avenue
- South: Buffalo Bayou
- East: Shepherd Drive
- West: Westcott Street
In 2008, the main Rice Military area had 391 houses. However, many real estate agents also include homes from nearby areas when they talk about "Rice Military." The larger "Rice Military Neighborhood area" has about 2,250 houses.
Types of Homes
The first homes in Rice Military were small bungalow houses and "shotgun houses." Because there weren't many rules about what kinds of houses could be built, Rice Military now has many different styles of homes.
In 2003, you could find single-family houses, two- and three-story townhouses, and condominiums. One person described Rice Military as an "eclectic mix" and "a mishmash" because of all the different styles.
The prices of homes in Rice Military can vary a lot. In 2003, an old house bought just to be torn down and replaced (called a "tear-down") cost around $150,000. A new three-story townhouse could cost between $300,000 and $340,000. Townhouses are a newer addition to the area, with the oldest ones being about five to ten years old in 2012.
Some parts of Rice Military still have narrow streets and open drainage ditches. These older features create a cool contrast with the newer, more expensive houses built on those same streets.
Education in Rice Military
Students living in Rice Military attend schools in the Houston ISD (Houston Independent School District).
- Memorial Elementary School
- Hogg Middle School
- Lamar High School
There is also a private school in the area called St. Theresa School. It's a Roman Catholic school for students from kindergarten through 8th grade.
Parks and Fun Activities
Nellie Keyes Park is a great spot in Rice Military. It has a playground where kids can play and a trail system for walking or running.
Images for kids
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The unique Beer Can House, a famous landmark in Rice Military.
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Memorial Elementary School, serving students in the Rice Military neighborhood.
