Sharpstown, Houston facts for kids
Sharpstown is a special kind of neighborhood in Southwest Houston, Texas. It was one of the very first places in Houston built as a "master-planned community." This means that when it was designed, everything was thought of: not just homes, but also schools, shops, and fun places for people to go.
Frank Sharp, the person who developed Sharpstown, made sure it was easy to get around by car. This idea was quite new back in 1955 when Sharpstown officially opened, and it even got attention from news all over the country!
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About Sharpstown Homes
The houses in Sharpstown were built after World War II. You can find different styles, like cozy bungalows, modern homes, and traditional houses. The builders used good quality materials, so these homes have lasted a long time and are still in good shape today.
Sharpstown's Story
Frank Sharp gave a wide piece of land to the state of Texas. This land was used to build the Southwest Freeway (Interstate 69/U.S. Highway 59). This highway made it super easy for people to travel from Downtown Houston to their homes in Sharpstown. It also made it simple to reach PlazAmericas, which opened in 1961. This was Houston's first big, air-conditioned indoor shopping mall!
Over the years, Sharpstown became a very diverse place. In the 1980s and 1990s, many different groups of people moved here, including African-Americans, Hispanic families, and Asian-Americans. This made Sharpstown one of the most diverse areas in Houston.
Like many neighborhoods, Sharpstown has faced some challenges. In the 1990s, there were some safety concerns, but the community has worked hard to improve things.
By 2005, homes in Sharpstown were worth about twice as much as they were in 2000. This shows that people are becoming interested in the neighborhood again. In 2010, the Houston Press newspaper even called Sharpstown the "Best Hidden Neighborhood," saying it was "undervalued and underrated." Later, in 2013, Houstonia magazine listed Sharpstown as one of Houston's "25 Hottest Neighborhoods."
An artist named Mary Ellen Carroll created a unique art project in Sharpstown called prototype 180. In 2010, she turned a house at 6513 Sharpview 180 degrees! It became a public art piece that makes people think about how neighborhoods are planned and how they change over time. In 2017, the house was carefully taken apart in a special performance. The plan is to rebuild it using its original materials in a new way, and to create a special garden around it.
What Sharpstown Looks Like
Sharpstown has many houses built in the "mid-century" style, which means they were designed around the middle of the 20th century. These homes often sit on large pieces of land.
Fun and Games in Sharpstown
Sharpstown has lots of places for fun and recreation!
The city runs Sharpstown Park and the Sharpstown Golf Course. The golf course first opened in the 1950s as a country club. It had many sand traps, lakes, and even fish like bass and perch! In 1976, the course closed, but the City of Houston bought most of it two years later and reopened it as a public golf course. It's known for being one of the flattest courses in the city.
There are also other city parks like Sharpstown Green Park, Bonham Park, E. L. Crain Park, and Lansdale Park.
Kids in Sharpstown can join the Sharpstown Little League, which plays baseball at Bayland Park.
In 2010, a new community center called the Baker-Ripley Neighborhood Center opened. It offers many helpful services, like after-school programs, a medical clinic, financial help, fitness classes, and English classes for new speakers.
Sharpstown's Different Areas
Sharpstown is made up of several smaller areas.
Original Sections
The very first parts of Sharpstown are called Sections 1, 1A, 2, 3, and 5.
Sharpstown Country Club Estates
This area was built in the late 1950s, west of the Southwest Freeway. It's right next to the Sharpstown Golf Course and close to PlazAmericas. It was named after the Sharpstown Country Club, which used to be nearby. People who live here often say it's one of the quietest parts of Houston.
Sharpstown Country Club Terrace
This area includes Country Club Terrace 1, 2, and 3. As of 2016, you could find different kinds of houses here, including mid-century modern homes, bungalows, and traditional ranch houses. Some homes had new features, while others might need a little work. The prices of homes in this area have increased quite a bit over the years.
Learning in Sharpstown
Colleges and Universities
For older students, Houston Community College System serves the Sharpstown area. Also, Houston Baptist University, a private university, is located right in Sharpstown.
Schools for Kids
Public Schools
Sharpstown is part of the Houston Independent School District. Many schools serve the children living here:
- Elementary Schools: Sutton Elementary, James Butler Bonham Elementary, McNamara Elementary, Neff Elementary, and Ed White Elementary. Sands Point Elementary also helps with student numbers in the area.
- Middle Schools: Jane Long Academy and Sugar Grove Middle School.
- High Schools: Sharpstown High School. Some parts of Sharpstown are also zoned to Margaret Long Wisdom High School (formerly Robert E. Lee High School), with options for Lamar High School and Westside High School.
- Special Schools: Sharpstown International School is a school for grades 6-12. Las Américas Newcomer School is for new immigrant students in grades 6-8 and is located at Jane Long.
There are also several charter schools run by KIPP Houston Public Schools nearby, including KIPP SHINE Preparatory School (elementary), KIPP Academy Middle School, Kipp Sharpstown College Preparatory School (middle), and KIPP Houston High School.
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Edward H. White Elementary School
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William S. Sutton Elementary School
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Pat Neff Elementary School (old campus)
History of Public Schools
Many of Sharpstown's schools were built in the 1950s and 1960s as the community grew. Long Middle School opened in 1957, Sutton in 1958, and Bonham in 1962. Sharpstown Junior-Senior High School opened in 1968 and later split into separate middle and high schools. Over the years, some schools have changed their names or combined, like Sharpstown Middle and Sharpstown International High School, which became the new Sharpstown International School in 2011.
Private Schools
Sharpstown also has private schools. St. Francis de Sales Catholic School teaches students from kindergarten to 8th grade. For high school, there are Strake Jesuit College Preparatory (for boys) and Saint Agnes Academy (for girls).
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St. Francis de Sales School
Public Libraries
The Houston Public Library serves the area. The M. E. Walter Neighborhood Library is a full-service library located in Sharpstown. There's also HPL Express Southwest, which is part of the Southwest Multi-Service Center.
Community Help
For health services, the Harris County Hospital District runs the Vallbona Health Center. Also, Memorial Hermann Hospital Southwest is a hospital located right in Sharpstown.
Images for kids
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Sharpstown International School
