bought the old Capitol Hotel erected in 1883 historic appearance. The comer Kiam Building (320 Main; 1893, H. C. Holland, architect) is a on the site of the 1837 Texas Capitol. He changed the hotel's name to Rice, and in 1900 fine example of a remodeling project wi thin the bequeathed it to Rice Institute. In 1911 the district (Barry Moore, restoration architect). This interesting Romanesque Revival building Rice trustees leased the property to Jesse H. had electric lights when it opened and had Jones, who commissioned St. Louis architects Kiam Mauran, Russell & Crowell to design a new Houston's first electric elevator. operated a men's store on the lower levels and seventeen-story Rice Hotel, which opened in 1913. Architect Alfred C. Finn added a third rented out forty· three offices in the floors (west) wing in 1925 that matches the two above. Sakowitz occupied the structure from original sections of the hotel. The Rice was 1918 until 1929. Houston's foremost downtown hotel for more Scattered among the neoclassical bank than 50 years and has been closed since 1978. buildings, a number of Modeme style office buildings were erected in the 1930s. These Although many of the historic buildings within the Historic District, like the Rice buildings, like the Wilson's Building (1010 Hotel, are in desperate need of repair, some Prairie, 1932-33) and McCrorys (507 Main; 1030-31) are a testament to Houston's businesses in the area thrive in support of the continued architectural evolution -- keeping preservation of the buildings in which they are housed. The Magnolia Room, La Carafe and pace with national trends and technological innovations. The Main Street/Market Square Treebeards continue to flourish. Office space in the Republic Building .is fully leased and Historic District serves as a museum of buildings reminding us not only of the historic there is a waiting list. Significant progress associations from Houston's birth in 1836 at toward revitalization of the area is being made through several new projects. Allen's Landing, but also of the financial and The Ritz Theater (911 Preston, 1926, William Ward concomitant architectural success that this city Watkin, architect) has just has enjoyed. recently been restored. The When the 18-block reconstructed Pillot historic district was created, it contained 72 buildings, Building on Courthouse Square was opened in one structure (Main Street viaduct) and two historic October after more than a sites (Market Square Park decade of controversy over I:'i:~si~ationAlliance conducts and Allen's Landing). its preservation. Several '· a· one-hour'Walking tour ·of the Seven of the 52 historically other new businesses have ·Main Street/Market Square significant buildings and at recently opened in the Historic District twice each district. least four of the month on the third Wednesday non-contributing buildings Long-term efforts of at 12:00n()onand on:tbe . th~~ preservationists advocating have since been demolished. Sunday · at 2:00 :P:rii. . M6st · ~I . the importance of protecting If demolitions are allowed the historic bUHd.irig~ill / this irreplaceable collection to continue, Houston will . ~ouston:s C~~}.r~l :~llSihiss firid itself without any of buildings representative District.,'. ai:e .· covered by this remnant of its early history of Houston's early history -- without its soul. are finally beginning to bear Of all the endangered results. The 1990 GHPA brochrifequtiirutii 'iliformation historic buildings in Heritage Education project k68titeath :·: of the historic downtown Houston, funded by the Brown .:'. bUiJ(iings in ·thedismct. perhaps the best known and Foundation and headed by .. Specially scheduled tours most in need of Pam Wheat is nearing ·:Jor groups of eight or more can redevelopment is the Rice completion. This project is .be arranged. For more developing educational Hotel, at the comer of ih!ormation, Contact the GHPA Main and Texas. In 1886 materials to be used in office af236-S000. William Marsh Rice had Houston schools to provide
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local children, the future leaders and decisionmakers of the community, a preservationoriented look at the Main Street/Market Square Historic District. The most exciting and promlsmg development is the establishment of a new Texas Urban Main Street project in the district. Although earlier attempts at economic revitalization in this area have been made, they 'were primarily singleinterest, piecemeal efforts. The new Main Street project marks the first time a coalition of public and private interests has joined forces to work for the preservation of our city's birthplace.
Fate of Houston Light Guard Armory Still Unsettled he Texas National Guard Armory Board postponed action on the future of the Houston Light Guard Armory (3816 Caroline Street) at the board's December 7 meeting in Houston. Preservationists understand that the board is considering selling the Armory when the Guard completes its move to new facilities at Ellington Field. Designed by Alfred C. Finn, this landmark has since 1925 been the headquarters of the military unit that traces its origin to the 1873 Houston Light Guard, organized as the first volunteer company in Texas after the Civil War. GHPA President Charles Maynard and Executive Director Margie Elliott presented several letters of support to the Armory Board at the December 7 meeting requesting consideration of the preservationists' request that a protective deed restriction be placed on the property prior to its anticipated sale and that the board sign an application to designate the building as a Recorded Texas Historical Landmark.
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