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How far back do your Houston roots go?

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EclipseAg
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3:02p, 3/6/26
AG
Grandparents came in the very early 1900s from Germany, but settled in Grimes County.

We moved to Houston in 1967. Lived in Sharpstown. In '72 we moved to Alief, which was absolutely booming due to the threat of busing in HISD. Went to a brand new school in fifth grade, then another brand new school in sixth grade.

Great place to grow up back then. Tons of young families so there were always kids around. Everyone was basically the same socioeconomically and demographically -- an entire school district of middle class white kids with youngish parents.

The Alief schools were highly regarded and very advanced compared to HISD. Cool curriculum and lots of extras.

And we had all the freedom in the world.
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AgLA06
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In reply to 1981 Monte Carlo • 3:03p, 3/6/26
AG
Born in Spring Branch Medical Center in 1983.
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Dr. Doctor
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3:15p, 3/6/26
AG
I was born in 81 at St. Luke's.

My mom was born in Beaumont in the early 50's and my Great-Great grandmother (I believe) was born near Arlington. So more of "Texas" roots vs. h-tine roots.

I remember when they rolled out 281 and had to dial 10 digits vs. 7 digits. 495-0789.

I lived behind a bank that was intentionally set during the 80's oil bust, part 2. Turned into an RC track afterwards.

~egon
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BBQ
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3:32p, 3/6/26
AG
My great grandfather entered the US with a brief stop in Houston in 1896 but eventually settled in central Tx

My brides paternal side of her family started in Houston in 1913 with the birth of her grandfather and has maintained a continued presence in Houston since then. Her father lived his entire life in Houston and the timeline for the family continues to present day through her.

Neat little factoid. Her grandfather was the 1st of what is now 4 generations that have graduated from St Thomas HS. I may be wrong but I have been told there are only 4 families that can stake that claim.
Farmari Bojuji
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1981 Monte Carlo
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In reply to AgLA06 • 4:14p, 3/6/26
AgLA06 said:
Born in Spring Branch Medical Center in 1983.

Was that near Long Point and Campbell?
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MelvinUdall
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In reply to EclipseAg • 4:31p, 3/6/26
Born and raised in Alief, graduating from Hastings in 92 right about the time it started to fall off…agreed, great schools, and great people…still to this day those of us that grew up there are good friends to this day. It's funny a lot of people in Alief just moved further west to Katy over time.
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BBRex
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4:47p, 3/6/26
AG
My best friend at A&M-Galveston and his brother both graduated from Aldine Eisenhower in the late '80s. That area is quite a bit different, too.
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malenurse
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In reply to 1981 Monte Carlo • 5:03p, 3/6/26
AG
1981 Monte Carlo said:
EclipseAg said:
1981 Monte Carlo said:
But point being, there used to be white kids at Spring Woods.

I've told this story before on TexAgs, but I once was forced to go to a dance recital at Northbrook High School. This was probably late mid to late '90s.

There were like 80 different dances, and I got completely bored out of my mind, so I went to the lobby of the auditorium where they had all the school's senior class photos displayed, from the first year to the present.

As you walked down the row of glass cases, you could see the school's demographics change before your eyes. It was fascinating.

Ha yep, it happened rapidly between the late 80's through the 90's. An incredibly dramatic shift.


This is known as "The Metro Effect"
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EclipseAg
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In reply to MelvinUdall • 8:45p, 3/6/26
AG
MelvinUdall said:
Born and raised in Alief, graduating from Hastings in 92 right about the time it started to fall off…agreed, great schools, and great people…still to this day those of us that grew up there are good friends to this day. It's funny a lot of people in Alief just moved further west to Katy over time.

I'm older than you but I see the same thing -- lots of high school friendships that have stood the test of time. Maybe that's not all that unusual but it speaks to the closeness of the community back then.

Plus, our class had a bunch of high school sweethearts who are still married today, which has to be rare.

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EclipseAg
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In reply to malenurse • 8:46p, 3/6/26
AG
malenurse said:
1981 Monte Carlo said:
EclipseAg said:
1981 Monte Carlo said:
But point being, there used to be white kids at Spring Woods.

I've told this story before on TexAgs, but I once was forced to go to a dance recital at Northbrook High School. This was probably late mid to late '90s.

There were like 80 different dances, and I got completely bored out of my mind, so I went to the lobby of the auditorium where they had all the school's senior class photos displayed, from the first year to the present.

As you walked down the row of glass cases, you could see the school's demographics change before your eyes. It was fascinating.

Ha yep, it happened rapidly between the late 80's through the 90's. An incredibly dramatic shift.


This is known as "The Metro Effect"

Yep ... Alief experienced the same downturn due to Metro and cheap apartments.
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AlaskanAg99
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In reply to Captain Winky • 10:13p, 3/6/26
AG
Captain Winky said:
Since 2011, when I moved here. I got lucky and was one of the last immigrants allowed in before the city became full, and everyone was diverted to El Paso.


12/2014 myself. Oddly the home I own now is the longest I've ever lived in a single building.
aTm '99
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KDubAg
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10:29p, 3/6/26
AG
Me, 2002 after my brother moved here in 2000. Just he and I after we graduated A&M. Married a girl here and now I'm stuck. Hopefully my kids move out and find better places to live. Told the wife when I retire, I'm leaving this city and not looking back. She can stay here if she wants.
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Ryan the Temp
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11:26p, 3/6/26
AG
Moved here in December 2003 after A&M. I'm the first in my family to set up residency in Texas.
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BBRex
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In reply to KDubAg • 11:35p, 3/6/26
AG
I think we'll move someplace a little less urban when we retire, too. Sometimes when I am irritated about something in Houston, I tell my wife it's her family's fault for helping build this city.
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AlaskanAg99
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In reply to KDubAg • 11:44p, 3/6/26
AG
KDubAg said:
Me, 2002 after my brother moved here in 2000. Just he and I after we graduated A&M. Married a girl here and now I'm stuck. Hopefully my kids move out and find better places to live. Told the wife when I retire, I'm leaving this city and not looking back. She can stay here if she wants.


I left in '99, said I was never returning.
Only lasted 15 years. We also do not intend to retire here, however, I no longer have that as a lock.
aTm '99
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jswags
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12:56a, 3/7/26
AG
Great great grandparents died of yellow fever in 1867.

Great-grandpa farmed and raised cattle off of Bunker Hill

Grandpa went to Addicks High School and grandmother went to Reagan.

We've been here a while! I can't find GGgrandparents ' graves. All I can find is that Houston had mass yellow fever burials in the old city cemetery and I'm assuming that's where they are buried.


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MAS444
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6:34a, 3/7/26
AG
Dad was born in Houston in 1944. They lived on Brun St at the time - but he grew up in Braeswood area on Bluebonnet. His dad was born in Matagorda county (great-great-great/whatever grandfather landed in Matagorda in 1840 from Belgium). Dad's mother was born in Splendora and her mother and sisters ran a boardinghouse for oil field workers.

Dad and uncle went to St. Vincent De Paul > St. Thomas HS (and 1 year at St. Anne)
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12thMan9
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In reply to 1981 Monte Carlo • 11:01a, 3/7/26
AG
Like Roger Clemens, Rick Luecken, Tim Clarkson, Rayner Noble, to name a few.
Ronnie '88
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canOcorn
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12:17p, 3/7/26
AG
Houston born and raised. Grandparents moved from East Texas to Houston in the late 1930's or early 1940's. They lived on Gannet St. off Buffalo Spdwy.
Both parents went to Lamar High School. Married early 1950's.
I, and next brother, born at St. Joseph Hospital. Next 4 brothers born at Spring Branch Hospital.
Lived in Spring Branch area from about age 4 through high school. Spring Woods High School, class of 1973.
Growing up, saw many Spring Branch High School football games in the early '60's at Reggie Grob Stadium (Chris Gilbert days). Dad took us to many a game at Colt Stadium to see the new Houston Colt 45's. Grandpa would take us to watch construction of the Astrodome, then attended numerous Astros games over those early years. Oiler games at Jeppesen Stadium on the UH campus.
Aah, the good old days. Yes, I'm an old.
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AgArch 78
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2:45p, 3/7/26
AG
Both sets of grandparents moved to northeast Houston in the '20's. Then out the Gulf Freeway near Friendswood in 1970 when I started high school.
Dad's oldest brother started a machine shop by downtown Houston in 1939 that recently sold and operated by a grandson. Long history of my family and my wife's in Houston.
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kubiak03
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4:28p, 3/7/26
AG
Both sets of grandparents moved to Houston early in the postwar boom, late 40's. Both of my parents pretty much grew up in Garden Oaks/Oak Forrest and went to Waltrip. My dad remembered when the schools were still segregated.

My mom went to school with Patrick Swayze and went a couple of dates with him. I grew up in Spring/1960 (Oak Creek/Old Oaks)

So I guess my kids are third generation Houstonian.
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12thMan9
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In reply to kubiak03 • 6:17p, 3/7/26
AG
kubiak03 said:
Both sets of grandparents moved to Houston early in the postwar boom, late 40's. Both of my parents pretty much grew up in Garden Oaks/Oak Forrest and went to Waltrip. My dad remembered when the schools were still segregated.

My mom went to school with Patrick Swayze and went a couple of dates with him. I grew up in Spring/1960 (Oak Creek/Old Oaks)

So I guess my kids are third generation Houstonian.


When we moved from Oak Forest to Candlelight Oaks, it made me a Scarborough HS grad in '83 w/Waldrip as our rival. Had friends at Waldrip, as did many of us at Scarborough since it was built to take pressure off Waldrip.

A good friend of mine lived down the street from Swayze, his younger brother Shawn was a piece of work.

My dad had a 2nd job tearing tickets at the Astrodome, we never paid for a single event there. I was amazed at how many people had real good seats that never showed for football games. Reminds me of the Westside of Kyle now.
Ronnie '88
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Aquin
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7:43p, 3/7/26
AG
Parents moved here in 1939.

If you have an interest in Houston history you should get the book "Buffalo Bayou" by Louis Aulbach. Lou and I were classmates at St. Thomas H.S. He was a great historian and a canoeist. He found the source of Buffalo Bayou….somewhere out in a pasture in Katy. He follows it to the ship channel giving you the history of the properties on both sides. He tells you why certain streets received their names. It is a fascinating read. I did not know that Sam Houston had a farm around Westheimer and Taft. Best book on Houston history that I have found.
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Jock 07
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9:40p, 3/7/26
AG
Not sure exactly how far back my lineage goes but the family legend is that my great grandmother survived the 1900 storm in an empty flour barrel that a baker had. I was born in spring branch hospital and grew up in JV. Been on a 23 year sabbatical (if you include the 4 years at A&M) with an outside chance of that ending this summer.
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Cinco Ranch Aggie
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9:44p, 3/7/26
AG
My Houston roots go through my mom as a little girl growing up in the area that would now be south of Spring, sometime in the mid-40s. Dad came to Houston after his stint in the Army having recently married my mom, early 60s. Their first place was an apartment near the Dome area, then they moved to Bellaire, when I came along. Moved to Sharpstown in 70, where we stayed until 77. Parents had divorced in 74, mom made a go of it as best she could until she moved us to Lake Jackson to be closer to grandparents and other family. (Dad remained very much in the picture for my sister and I)
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Jugstore Cowboy
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In reply to Aquin • 10:12p, 3/7/26
AG
Aquin said:
Parents moved here in 1939.

If you have an interest in Houston history you should get the book "Buffalo Bayou" by Louis Aulbach. Lou and I were classmates at St. Thomas H.S. He was a great historian and a canoeist. He found the source of Buffalo Bayou….somewhere out in a pasture in Katy. He follows it to the ship channel giving you the history of the properties on both sides. He tells you why certain streets received their names. It is a fascinating read. I did not know that Sam Houston had a farm around Westheimer and Taft. Best book on Houston history that I have found.

I'll order a copy and add it to my local history collection.

Also looks like your username checks out.
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Marvin_Zindler
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12:29a, 3/8/26
AG
How far back to a remember snorting blow with Ed and some of the news team?
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Psycho Bunny
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In reply to kubiak03 • 2:13p, 3/8/26
kubiak03 said:
Both sets of grandparents moved to Houston early in the postwar boom, late 40's. Both of my parents pretty much grew up in Garden Oaks/Oak Forrest and went to Waltrip. My dad remembered when the schools were still segregated.

My mom went to school with Patrick Swayze and went a couple of dates with him. I grew up in Spring/1960 (Oak Creek/Old Oaks)

So I guess my kids are third generation Houstonian.

Grandparents moved to Garden Oaks in the 60s off of Hewitt, mom went to Regean High one of Waltrips main rivals. Don't remember why mom went there and not Waltrip. Still drive through Candlight Plaza for the Christmas lights. That whole area has changed.
Can't decide if I want to be cute and cuddly, or go blow some sh*t up.
Decisions decisions
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T Durden
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In reply to MelvinUdall • 6:33p, 3/8/26
AG
Did you play football and baseball in AYA?

We moved in to Mission Bend in 1982 on the Ft. Bend side but played in AYA and Alief little league growing up.
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Milwaukees Best Light
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In reply to Aquin • 7:24p, 3/8/26
AG
Aquin said:
Parents moved here in 1939.

If you have an interest in Houston history you should get the book "Buffalo Bayou" by Louis Aulbach. Lou and I were classmates at St. Thomas H.S. He was a great historian and a canoeist. He found the source of Buffalo Bayou….somewhere out in a pasture in Katy. He follows it to the ship channel giving you the history of the properties on both sides. He tells you why certain streets received their names. It is a fascinating read. I did not know that Sam Houston had a farm around Westheimer and Taft. Best book on Houston history that I have found.

Bezos wants $69 for the book, plus $4 delivery! Gonna pass on this one.
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Jugstore Cowboy
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In reply to Milwaukees Best Light • 7:34p, 3/8/26
AG
I see it for $20.36 on Amazon, and $20 on ebay.
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Milwaukees Best Light
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In reply to Jugstore Cowboy • 7:52p, 3/8/26
AG
https://www.amazon.com/Louis-Aulbach-Buffalo-Bayou-wilderness/dp/B00RWT3NKG

Maybe you and Jeff are better friends than he and I.
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Psycho Bunny
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In reply to Milwaukees Best Light • 7:58p, 3/8/26
Milwaukees Best Light said:
https://www.amazon.com/Louis-Aulbach-Buffalo-Bayou-wilderness/dp/B00RWT3NKG

Maybe you and Jeff are better friends than he and I.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/404003914551

Showing 20 dollars.
Can't decide if I want to be cute and cuddly, or go blow some sh*t up.
Decisions decisions
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Jugstore Cowboy
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In reply to Milwaukees Best Light • 8:00p, 3/8/26
AG
Or google is pointing us to different storefronts:
https://www.amazon.com/Buffalo-Bayou-Houstons-wilderness-beginnings/dp/1468101994
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JSKolache
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11:01p, 3/8/26
AG
Alief before drive-bys were invented.

For real tho, 3rd generation through my dad's side. But my aunt's maiden name is "Houston", her's are deep roots.
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