Sam Houston Park
The 20 acres (81,000 m2) chosen for the park was landscaped into a Victorian-styled village, with footpaths leading past an old mill and across a bridge that traversed a small stream.
John Maxey, the City Engineer designed the original park, which included the Kellum-Noble House on the site.
[2] The Heritage Society was founded by Houstonians Faith Bybee, Harvin Moore and Marie Phelps in 1954, and Sam Houston Park has been its home, ever since.
[1] The purpose of the Society is to preserve the history of the community and region through preservation and restoration of historic structures, exhibition of historical artifacts, and presentation of educational programs which focus on Houston and Harris County's diverse past, and its relationship to the present and future.
The Old Place is a log cabin probably built by John R. Williams, an Austin colonist, about 1823, and thought to be the oldest remaining structure in Harris County.
[5][failed verification] Rising waters from Buffalo Bayou had flooded the building numerous times over the years, and during Tropical Storm Allison in June 2001, floodwaters reached the roof.
Houston merchant Ebeneezer Nichols built the house, and soon after sold it to his junior business partner, William Marsh Rice.
Emma Richardson Cherry, a Houston artist, acquired the house, restored it, and moved it to 508 Fargo in the Montrose area.
The Heritage Society moved the Greek Revival house to Sam Houston Park, and restored the building to many of its features when Rice owned it, but also set up a room to reflect Cherry's art studio.
[11] Originally constructed at the northwest corner of Congress Avenue and San Jacinto Street, opposite the Harris County Courthouse, it featured a wrap-around double gallery supported on both levels by Ionic columns.
The Harris County Heritage Society purchased the house in 1957, moved it to Sam Houston Park, where Harvin Cooper Moore conducted a new architectural survey and did restoration work.
[13] The Fourth Ward Cottage was originally housing for a German family around the middle of the nineteenth century.
The Pillot House was a trendsetter for Houston homes, with innovations such as an attached kitchen, gas lighting, and closets.
[16] Two cast iron dogs stand in front of the home were originally cast by Janes, Kirtland & Co. (the iron foundry that built the U.S. Capitol Dome)[17] The Yates House is another house in Sam Houston Park that was originally located in Freedmen's Town.
Though originally serving German Lutherans, the architectural style was typical of churches of the American South.
