Located on the backside of the James Baker Institute for Public Policy on the campus of Rice University is this iconic piece of history. This part of the Berlin Wall stands as a monument to freedom and is a testament to the works of those involved to unify Germany’s peace and freedom.
Holland Lodge #1 of the Ancient Free & Accepted Free Masons of Texas was the first Masonic Lodge in Texas. Originally formed in Brazoria in 1835, it relocated to Houston soon after the Battle of San Jacinto and the forming of the Republic of Texas. Their present lodge, built in 1954, is located in the Museum District on Montrose and sports this incredible structural mural.
While this statue by Edd Hayes, entitled “In the Line of Fire” is quite striking, the odd thing is resides on an empty lot on the corner of Main St. at Hadley in the midtwon area.
It seems that eventually... the Houston Fire Museum will be located in a new building on this location. Until then he's on his own honoring our local firefighters.
Not a lot going on along the banks of Lake Houston this time of year.
Unless you like the peace and quiet.
Which I do.
To follow up yesterday's post, here is a step back to show the entire wall, giving you a glimpse of some of Daniel Anguilu‘s urban art.
A sign of the apocalypse?
Well... not really.
The former Mental Health and Mental Retardation Authority Building in Midtown has become a canvas for local urban artists and this is just a close up of one of its painted walls.
It may not be the largest or the most ornate, but the First Church of Christ Science does have a unique spire atop its building.
Who goes there??
Erected in 1908 and now located in Sam Houston Park, “The Spirit of the Confederacy” honors “…all heroes of the South who fought for the principles of states rights”.
When you reach a dead end?
Buy... or Sell?
Today's public service announcement was taken near the intersection of McKee and Lyons St. in the Fifth Ward area of town.
The Kemah Boardwalk is somewhat of a tourist destination in nearby Kemah. Developed by restaurant magnate, Tilman Fertitta, it contains a small amusement park and several eateries within its 42 acres just outside of the Kemah Causeway, seen in the background in today’s photo.
While vacant now… you should see it in the summer.
…or even on a some of the mild winter weekends we have been having lately.
Big sporting day today as the Chevron Houston Marathon occurs this morning and later all eyes (well... maybe not ALL eyes) will be watching the hometown Houston Texans play in their NFL playoff game vs. the Baltimore Ravens.
Which segues into today's image (see how clever that was?). This relief is displayed on what used to be the athletic facility of the historic San Jacinot High School, which is now part of the Houston Community College system.
More on the history later, but for now??? Go Texans!
Located in Sue Barnett 43rd St. Park is this unknown titled piece of public art by an unknown artist.
Feel free to give it your own name.
As to where today's phot was taken.
I bet you didn't guess the old Southwestern Bell (now AT&T) facility on Richmond Ave. near St. Thomas University. Built in 1928 to serve the “assumption” the city would expand to the southwest (um… ya’ think?) and provided service to an additional 14,500 customers, the building itself is fairly non-descript and almost industrial in appearance.
This no longer used entry, however, is a completely different story don’t you think?
... or so I've been told.
Among those interred at Glenwood cemetery is one of the 20th century's most iconic business and aviation figures, Howard Hughes. This is a glimpse of the Hughes Family Memorial.
No... I'm not away on holiday, but visiting the Guandi Buddhist Temple, which is just southeast of downtown on Milby St., can certainly give one the feeling of getting away.
This repainted gas station is actually part of Andrei Molodkin's exhibit at the Station Museum - Contemporary Art. The Russian contemporary artist's monument to the Bolshevik Revolution of October 1917 can we witnessed for free as you drive by the intersection of Alabama and LaBranch streets.
Last week St. Arnold Brewery founder Brock Wagner pledged FREE BEER to all the Houston Texans players should they win this past weekend’s playoff game against Cincinnati. Well… the scheme worked as the home team won 31-10.
I wonder how many players have taken him up on the offer, and better yet… if he plans on doing it again this weekend as the Texans travel to Baltimore to play the Ravens.
Whatever works!!!
Mexican born artist, Dionicio Rodriguez, recognized as one of America’s foremost faux bois sculptors, created this cross in Woodlawn cemetery that resembled wood, even though it is really made of concrete.
Either way… it is still very striking.
Today the NFL franchise Houston Texans will host their first playoff game in their ten year history. At 3:30pm in Reliant Stadium they will face the visiting Cincinnati Bengals in what I hope will be a victorious start to a successful playoff run.
I don’t have tickets, so I very well might end up at a favorite establishment to enjoy the game with a few adult beverages.
Displayed in Rocket Park just outside of the NASA complex are Little Joe II, used in testing during the Apollo program and this Mercry-Redstone Rocket that was used, oddly enough, for testing the Mercury capsules.
Recently opened, the new Houston Permitting Center has taken residence in a renovated rice warehouse at the end of Washington Ave. During the renovation, the city also allocated funds for new art works to adorn the interior, as well as, exterior of the building. The Houston Arts Alliance chose Mary Margaret Hansen to lead 12 local artists to complete the task.
Dick Wray used this exterior elevator shaft as his canvas for this dynamic piece, which also happens to be his only piece of public art.
On a more historical note, this building is located near the original site of the Houston Infirmary which was founded soon after the end of the Civil War in 1874 to provide medical care for railroad companies during the 1870s and 1880s.
Located on the south of Clear Lake this privately owned lighthouse doesn’t serve an official purpose, but does give locals a sense of coastal life. Almost a 100 ft. high the land was built on is now being developed into a gated community for luxury homes.
Act now and you too can live next to a lighthouse.
This interesting piece of public art resides in front of the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.
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