Eastwood, Houston: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:49, 31 December 2020

Early development

Eastwood was one of Houston’s first master-planned subdivisions.^[2] It was designed and developed in 1911 by William A. Wilson, who also developed Eastwood's sister neighborhood, Woodland Heights.^[3] The first lots went on sale in June 1912 and Eastwood officially opened in September 1913.^[2]^[3] A few of the homes were built between 1900 and 1909, prior to the official platting of the neighborhood.^[4]

The development was planned with shelled streets^[5] that were sixty to eighty feet in width,^[6] cement curbs and sidewalks, city water, gas, electricity, telephones and sanitary sewerage, as well as terraced lots designed for natural drainage.^[2] One of the unique features of the neighborhood is the symmetrically planned placement of live oak and sycamore trees.^[3] Wilson envisioned Eastwood to be a more upscale counterpart to the Woodland Heights subdivision, which he previously developed in Houston.^[1] Utility service connections were placed at the rear of the lots to avoid marring the landscape of the community streets.^[4]

A boulevard driveway was built through the center of the neighborhood, which skirted a natural ravine that provided lush greenery and a drainage route for surplus water to empty into Brays Bayou.^[4] The ravine was later filled and planted with cypress trees; it is currently the esplanade dividing Park Drive.^[4]

By October 1913, Eastwood was hailed by The Houston Daily Post as a “model suburb, one of the most convenient, attractive and beautiful homesite additions in the city of Houston."^[4] ^[3]

Notable early residents

The first residents were young entrepreneurs in the city, primarily business owners and management personnel.^[2] Its reputation as one of Houston's rising preeminent suburban neighborhoods attracted wealthy and notable residents, including:

Howard Hughes is believed to have lived for a brief period with his aunt on McKinney Street while he was building an airplane in a garage on nearby Eastwood Street, in addition to his oil-drilling machinery manufacturing business, the Hughes Tool Company, which moved to 5425 Polk Street in the 1940s.^[3]

Architectural style

The homes built in Eastwood were custom homes reflecting the early 20th century fondness for Craftsman, Arts & Crafts, American Foursquare and Mission styles of architecture.^[3] Today, Eastwood remains Houston’s largest intact collections of Craftsman, Arts & Crafts, and Mission-style homes.^[1] Influences from the Prairie-style of architecture, which branched from the Arts and Crafts movement, can be seen in some houses.^[7]

Cityscape

Eastwood is in proximity to Minute Maid Park (formerly Enron Field and Astros Field) and Downtown Houston. YuShan Chang, author of Newcomer's Handbook Neighborhood Guide: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin, said that Eastwood is in proximity to "the city's major sports venues, fine arts district, and nightlife."^[7]

At a later point, Eastwood was "characterized by graffiti, abandoned buildings, and blight".^[7] In 1997, Lori Rodriguez of the Houston Chronicle said that it is "considered a forerunner of today's planned communities.".^[8] However, it wasn't until 1998 that a revitalization of the area commenced.

Gentrification (1998–2017)

Between 1998 and 2013 the price per square foot of the Eastwood subdivision more than doubled—jumping from $55.75 per square foot in 1998 to $117.46 in 2013.^[9] The average price per square foot has continued to increase year-over-year: $132.81 in 2014, $143.63 in 2015, $152.31 in 2016, $169.14 in 2017 and $181.88 in 2018.^[10]

It continues to evolve into a "lovely neighborhood that is aesthetically on par with some of Houston's esteemed residential areas"^[7] that is attracting young families, single professionals, and couples who restored the older houses. Many people who find houses in the Houston Heights and Montrose unaffordable opt to buy in Eastwood.^[7] Chang said that Eastwood was "a good option for those desiring to live in a close-knit neighborhood with the grace, history, and character of the Heights, but without the price tag".^[8] However, with high demand and sale prices on the rise, Eastwood has been developing a reputation as "the new Heights".^[11]

Landmarks

Government and infrastructure

The Houston Fire Department operates Station 18 East End, in Fire District 20, along Telephone Road and in Eastwood.^[24]^[25] In 1925 Station 18 opened at the 4400 Block of Walker while its permanent facility was being constructed. The station moved to its permanent facility at 619 Telephone Road on July 7, 1926. In 1976 the station moved to the former Station 24 facility while the new Station 18 was being built along Telephone Road. In 1980 the station moved to its new permanent location. In 2001 Tropical Storm Allison damaged the station, so it was temporarily closed. Fire Station 18 re-opened in 2002. The station underwent a minor renovation in January 2008.^[26]

Transportation

Parks and recreation

Eastwood Park, operated by the City of Houston, is located at 5000 Harrisburg Boulevard.^[28] The Eastwood Community Center is located at 5020 Harrisburg Boulevard.^[29] The center has a skate park, a swimming pool, an outdoor basketball pavilion, a lighted sports field, a playground, a .20 mile hike and bicycle trail, and lighted tennis courts.^[30] In 2009 the president of the Second Ward Super Neighborhood, Jessica Hulsey, complained about the lack of a skate park in Eastwood Park.^[31]

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Some residents are zoned to Cage Elementary School,^[34] while other residents are zoned to Lantrip Elementary School; both schools are in Eastwood.^[35] Some residents are zoned to Carrillo Elementary School, located outside of Eastwood.^[36] All residents are zoned to Yolanda Black Navarro Middle School of Excellence (formerly Stonewall Jackson Middle School)^[37] and Austin High School in Eastwood.^[38] Eastwood Academy, an alternative school, is also located in Eastwood; anyone zoned to Austin is eligible to attend Eastwood Academy.^[39] Project Chrysalis Middle School is on the grounds of Cage Elementary.

The Kirby School opened in 1902 at a site on Telephone Road. In 1906 a newer structure opened across the street. Lantrip, originally Eastwood Elementary School, opened in 1916. In 1923 Kirby was renamed Cage Elementary School after Rufus Cage, a philanthropist and school board president. Jackson opened in 1925. Austin opened in 1936. In 1983 Cage moved to a new site on Leeland Street. Carrillo opened in 1993. Lantrip received a new facility in 2007.^[40]

In 2012 Richard Connelly of the Houston Press ranked Austin High School as the most architecturally beautiful high school campus in Greater Houston.^[41]

Gallery of schools

Public libraries

Community Information

Eastwood Civic Association

The Eastwood Civic Association serves the neighborhoods of Eastwood, Broadmoor, Lawndale, W.A. Kirby, Jackson Court, Woodleigh, Eastlawn, Dissen Heights, Houston City Railroad, Suburban, L.B. Moody, Beverly Park, Eastview, Hauser, Dor Ruth, Mueller, Dixie, Georgia, and Youngmens.^[42]

The Eastwood Civic Association is composed of volunteers who donate their time and resources "to improve the quality of life for our residents; protect the value and beauty of our homes and neighborhood assets; and work with local government officials and law enforcement to protect and serve our citizens."

Since 1996, the association has hosted the Annual Historic Home Tour on the third weekend of every October that showcases architecturally significant homes and other historic landmarks in the Eastwood neighborhood.

Super Neighborhoods

Eastwood is geographically designated as part of Super Neighborhood 64 - Greater Eastwood.^[2] The elected council is composed of residents and stakeholders and serves as a forum to discuss issues and identify and implement priority projects for the area.^[43]

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