Houstonians today are proud of the difficult start of their city by brothers Augustus and John Allen in 1836. They established a trading post after winding their way up the muddy Buffalo Bayou and named their soggy little area "Houston" in honor of General Sam Houston who had recently defeated the Mexican Army at San Jacinto. At the time most people were convinced this idea had more of madness than brilliance about it, although today most have come to accept the brilliance theory.

Houston's prosperity was linked to several key events in its development. The first was the arrival of the railroad in the 1860s and 1870s. However, the first real blessing for the city came with the discovery of oil in 1901 at nearby Spindletop. With the arrival of air conditioning in the 1930s, Houston became livable and the promises of wealth from the black gold were realized as the city's population boomed. NASA was one of the most notable new arrivals in 1963 when the Mission Control Center opened a few miles outside the city.

Houston experienced some turbulence in the 1980s and 1990s with the collapse of oil prices, flooding and tornadoes, and financial problems including the collapse of Enron. However, the city's strength and determination carried the population through these trying events; today Houston is again doing well financially and has varied its economy into areas such as high-tech computer and aerospace industries and medical services.

With the fervor of the Texan philosophy ("Everything in Texas is bigger!"), Houston became a sprawling metropolis and is currently the fourth-largest city in the United Staes. Houston has a diverse population of 1.9 million people who represent more than 100 nationalities and speak more than 90 languages. This diversity, rich history, and continued growth can be seen from the big to the small as Houston's skyline continues to change while its individual and culturally diverse neighborhoods continue to express and celebrate the city's heritage.

Some famous Houston natives include:

• Vince Young
• Roger Clemens
• Nolan Ryan
• Dennis Quaid
• Kenny Rogers
• Walter Cronkite

HISTORICAL ATTRACTIONS

The Sam Houston Historical Park explores the early history of Houston. Across the street is the recently renovated Art Deco-style City Hall. Lovers of open spaces will be drawn to Hermann Park, which is not only home to the Houston Zoo but also contains two different gardens - the Japanese Gardens, with a traditional teahouse and wooden footbridges, and the Houston Garden Center. The park also includes a golf course and the Miller Outdoor Theater, which offers free outdoor performances during the summer months.

Museum District
The Museum District in Houston contains 15 spectacular museums including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Contemporary Arts Museum, the Museum of Health and Medical Science, the Children's Museum, the Holocaust Museum Houston, and the C.G. Jung Educational Center.

Museum of Printing History
An amazing collection of printing through the ages, this museum contains one of the first printed documents, dating from 764, the Dharani Scroll. This unexpected treasure is located in the southern part of downtown Houston.

San Jacinto Battleground
To recognize the victory of Sam Houston over the army of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, more than 1000 acres have been saved where visitors can experience the area as it would have been when the Houston settlers first arrived (without air conditioning!). Among the notable attractions are the observation deck of the San Jacinto Monument (15 feet higher than the Washington Monument), and a museum featuring Texan artifacts. While you are there, check out the Battleship Texas, which saw wartime action in Normandy and Okinawa. It is rumored to be haunted!

Sources:
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