Independence Heights

Promoted by the Wright Land Company, the Independence Heights community began about 1908. Many black families purchased lots and built their own homes. A school was established in 1911. Businesses in Independence Heights included retail stores, restaurants, building contractors, lumberyards, a blacksmith shop, tailor, and barber shop. Fraternal organizations were formed, as well as a number of churches: New Hope Missionary Baptist Church (founded in 1912 at this site), Green Chapel A. M. E., St. Paul C. M. E., Ebenezer M. E., Concord Missionary Baptist, and North Main Church of God in Christ. By 1915 there were about four hundred residents. In that year an election was held and the city was incorporated. George O. Burgess was elected the first mayor. City improvements over the next few years included the shell paving of streets, plank sidewalks, and the installation of a municipal water system. O. L. Hubbard and Arthur L. McCullough, Sr. also served mayoral terms. In 1928 another election was held in which the city organization was dissolved. Independence Heights was annexed by the city of Houston on December 26, 1929. The Independence Heights name is still associated with the area.

Independence Heights is a historical marker in Houston, Harris County, dedicated in 1989. It is one of 406 historical markers documented in Harris County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 781 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 29.8207, -95.3939 near Houston. The nearest cataloged historic site is Mackey, William, House (Gone) (historic place), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Cyrus, Ben C. and Jenetter, House (Gone circa 2009), Johnson, Charles, House, and Lindsay, Oscar, House.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5201010704. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.