Historical Houston

Houston began as a small town in the early 1800s with early growth fueled by immigration mainly from the southeastern United States. It didn't take long for American immigrants to outnumber the previous occupants of the Texas area, Mexicans and Native Indians. Mexico strived to retain control over Texas and conflict began in earnest by 1835 when American Texans decided they had a better claim to the land than either Mexico or the Indians. By 1837 the Republic of Texas was recognized by the United States, with Houston being among the first towns to be settled and developed.

Sam Houston was born in 1793 in Virginia. Hero of the battle of San Jacinto, Houston was elected as the first president of the new Republic of Texas. Elected to another term, he was instrumental in having Texas become the 28th state in the union. He'd had extensive experience with the politics of Texas during his decade spent in the area. Houston has grown of course since the early days to the point where there are now dozens of suburbs in the Houston area where previously only rocks slept and sagebrush grew.