Southgate, Houston facts for kids
Southgate is a friendly neighborhood in Houston, Texas, United States. It's known for being close to Rice University and the Texas Medical Center.
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A Look Back: Southgate's History
Southgate has a history of residents working together to keep their neighborhood a great place to live.
Controlling Traffic
Back in 2003, people in Southgate were concerned about too much traffic from the nearby Texas Medical Center. They asked the City of Houston to help. The neighborhood's civic club even asked for a street closure on Southgate Boulevard. This was to stop cars from cutting through the neighborhood.
By the end of 2003, the city closed a part of Southgate Boulevard. This helped block traffic from the Medical Center. A newspaper, the Houston Chronicle, reported that this closure didn't cause many problems. In 2007, residents and a city council member worked on new plans to keep controlling traffic from the Medical Center.
Community Decisions
In 2004, residents thought about creating a property owners association. This group would help make sure new buildings fit in with the neighborhood. It would also help enforce rules about how properties are used, called deed restrictions. Some people worried this group might become too powerful. However, the president of the Southgate Civic Club, Richard Merrill, said most residents supported the idea.
A Close-Knit Community
Even though Southgate is near tall buildings of the Texas Medical Center, it still feels like a close community. In 2010, the City of Houston started a new recycling program in Southgate, making it easier for residents to recycle.
What Southgate Looks Like
Southgate is made up of four smaller areas. It's right next to Rice University and the Texas Medical Center.
Homes and Streets
The streets in Southgate are lined with trees, making it a pretty place. In 2002, there were 573 houses. Many of these homes were built a long time ago, in the 1930s and 1940s. Unlike some nearby areas, most of Southgate's original houses are still standing. They haven't been torn down and replaced with new ones very often.
Because there's less variety in the house styles, the prices were more similar. In 2002, houses often sold for around $300,000 to $400,000. A few newer houses might sell for over $700,000. By 2010, the neighborhood had a mix of beautifully restored old homes and some newer, modern houses. This shows that Southgate keeps its classic feel while also being open to new ideas.
Who Lives in Southgate
In 2005, it was noted that some nearby areas like Southampton and Broadacres had more people with extra money to spend than Southgate.
Learning in Southgate
Southgate has great schools for its young residents.
Public Schools
Southgate is part of the Houston Independent School District. The neighborhood's own school is Roberts Elementary School, which is right in Southgate.
After elementary school, students usually go to Pershing Middle School. Pershing is located in Braeswood Place. Students zoned to Pershing can also apply to a special program at Pin Oak Middle School. For high school, students attend Lamar High School, which is in Upper Kirby.
Roberts Elementary is known for its special program in the fine arts. The school consistently gets high test scores. In 2002, it was a big reason why families wanted to live in Southgate.
Private Schools
There are also private school options nearby:
- St. Vincent de Paul School is a Catholic school for students from kindergarten to 8th grade.
- St. Nicholas School Medical Center Campus is another private school for kindergarten to 8th grade.
Public Libraries
For books and learning, residents can visit the Houston Public Library Stella Link Branch or the Harris County Public Library West University Branch, both close to Southgate.
Community Fun
The Weekley Family YMCA is located near Southgate, offering activities and programs for the community.
Local News
Residents can stay informed with several local newspapers:
- The Houston Chronicle is the main regional newspaper.
- The West University Examiner is a local paper delivered in the community [1].
- The Village News and Southwest News is another local newspaper for the area.
In the middle of the 20th century, the Southwestern Times newspaper also served Southgate and nearby areas. Its office was in Rice Village.
Famous People From Southgate
- Brock Wagner (who started Saint Arnold Brewing Co., a well-known brewery)
