Washington Terrace, Houston facts for kids
Washington Terrace is a neighborhood located in the Third Ward area of Houston, Texas, United States. It's a part of the big city of Houston.
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A Look Back: Washington Terrace History
The Washington Terrace neighborhood started to be built in April 1924. A company called Nelms Investment Company first owned the land, which had 1,000 lots. G.E. Simpson Realty Service helped sell the homes. The first houses were available on Chartres Street. The land sizes for these homes were about 55 to 105 feet wide. Washington Terrace was planned for families who were considered middle-class. The City of Houston officially made it part of the city in 1927.
When it first started, Washington Terrace was mostly a white community. In 1940, about 98% of the people living there were white. By 1950, there were 7,354 people, and 93% were white. However, by 1953, more African-American families moved in, and they became the majority. In 1960, the neighborhood had 8,552 people, but only 21% were white. By 1970, the population was 7,634, and 11% were white.
Around 1981, the Houston Planning Department noted that Washington Terrace was facing challenges. In 2002, a newspaper called the Houston Chronicle reported that new developments, known as gentrification, were starting to happen in Washington Terrace. In 2004, the Houston Press newspaper recognized the neighborhood for having a very good neighborhood association.
Where is Washington Terrace?
The neighborhood of Washington Terrace has specific boundaries. According to Barry J. Kaplan from the University of Houston, the original borders were Blodgett Street, Dowling Street (which is now Emancipation Avenue), Ennis Street, and Holman Avenue. The Houston Press newspaper says the area's boundaries are Alabama Street, Almeda Road, Blodgett Street, Cleburne Street, and Ennis Street. The neighborhood is located across from Riverside Terrace. It also surrounds Texas Southern University.
Early advertisements for Washington Terrace highlighted that it was close to the city center. They also promoted its "suburban atmosphere," meaning it felt like a quiet area outside the main city. Most of the homes in Washington Terrace were built around 1940.
Learning in Washington Terrace
Students living in Washington Terrace attend schools within the Houston Independent School District. The community is part of Trustee District IV. This district is represented by a person who helps make decisions for the schools.
Two elementary schools serve parts of Washington Terrace: Blackshear Elementary, which is in Washington Terrace itself, and Lockhart Elementary, located in Riverside Terrace. Students in the area also attend Cullen Middle School and Yates High School.
School Changes Over Time
Many schools in the area have a long history. Charlotte B. Allen Elementary School first opened in 1907. Blackshear Elementary opened in 1916. Yates High School opened in 1926. William Sutton Elementary School opened in 1929.
Over the years, some schools moved or changed names. Allen Elementary moved to a new location in 1956, and its old building became J. Will Jones Elementary School. Sutton Elementary moved in 1958, and its old building became Turner Elementary School. Yates High School moved to its current location in 1958. Ryan Middle School opened in Yates's first location that same year. Blackshear Elementary had new parts added in 1960, 1965, and 1980.
Starting in 2018, a special middle school called Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan also became an option for students from Blackshear, Lockhart, and MacGregor elementary schools.
Before the 2009–2010 school year, J. Will Jones Elementary, which served a part of Washington Terrace, joined with Blackshear Elementary. Also, Turner Elementary, which served another section of Washington Terrace, joined with Blackshear. By 2011, a new school building was constructed at the Lockhart Elementary site.
Before 2013, students in Washington Terrace went to Ryan Middle School. However, Ryan Middle School closed in 2013, and those students were then sent to Cullen Middle School.
