Marker Inscription
Tennessee politician Ben W. Hooper led investors in forming the West End Realty Co. in 1910. They chose land near Rice Institute, which opened in 1912, and created West University Place, connected to Houston by streetcar. Homesites sold primarily to young, middle-class families. Trying to address the area's frequent flooding, citizens incorporated in 1924, electing L.B. Ryon as mayor. The city's second mayor, Harold B. Schlesinger, helped develop a strong infrastructure. With several additions, the city grew to its current size, approximately two square miles. Today, the independent, viable community features park space and other amenities for its several thousand residents. (2004)
About this site
West University Place, City of is a historical marker in West University Place, Harris County, dedicated in 2004. It is one of 422 historical markers documented in Harris County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 849 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 29.7147, -95.4379 near West University Place. The nearest cataloged historic site is Teas Nursery Company (historical marker), about 1.0 miles away. Others within a short drive include Texan Capture of Mexican Dispatchers, Bellaire Streetcar Line, and Bellaire Presbyterian Church.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5507015654. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
