PHOTOS: Deer Park celebrates 125 years of history
Deer Park's city government is planning a number of monthly events for the town's 125th anniversary this year, including concerts and other events. The goal is to show off the growth of the town from a small settlement into the diverse suburb it is today.
Click through to see more photos of the town through the years...
Deer Park Historical Committee
Shell's "barrels of gold" along Texas Highway 225.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been posting on its Facebook page. Each post generates detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people who helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
A 1932 plat of Deer Park, showing that Center Street was once called West.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
In
1895, the “big snow” surprised everyone in town, including a
train load of prospectors who had just arrived. Records indicate it
snowed 22 inches in 4 days.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Looking east towards Luella Avenue, near X Street, in the early '50s.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
An aerial view of Deer Park from the '50s.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The building of the the United Methodist Church.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
Battle of San Jacinto survivors meeting in Galveston in 1880.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
2001 SNOWBOUND, ALL RIGHTS RESER/Deer Park Historical Committee
Inside the Shell refinery in the '50s.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
Deer Park High School students in homemaking class in the '50s.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
Deer Park founder Simeon West.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
Deer Park from above in 1953.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
Early football practices at Deer Park High School.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The opening of Dow Park in the early '70s.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The opening of Dow Park in the early '70s.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
A children's pool in Deer Park.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The scene at a 1971 ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of Center Street from 13th to
"L" Street, which was later renamed Pasadena Blvd.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Burgess family aboard the Battleship Texas soon after it arrived in La Porte.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
A busy Houston Ship Channel in 1913.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
This is the pool at Deer Park High School (what is now the north campus) in 1953.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The (small) Lynchburg Ferry in the late 1800s.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city. Deer Park Historical Committee
The Lubrizol plant in Deer Park.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
The construction of Texas Highway 225.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
Flooding along Center Street in Deer Park in the '40s.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
A Deer Park billboard seen here in 1967.
The Deer Park Historical Committee shared some historical photos that it’s been sharing on its official Facebook page. Each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people that helped build the city.
Deer Park Historical Committee
Vintage photos of Houston in beautiful Kodachrome
Houston resident Josh Burdick has digitized and released Kodachrome photos that his father, Cecil Burdick Jr., captured of Houston in the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s on sprawling website for all to see. He’s allowed the Houston Chronicle to share a batch of them with readers.
Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Grand, old Astroworld not too long after it opened. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
The dearly departed Shamrock Hotel is seen here. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
A vintage view of Rice Stadium, before it became a part-time concert venue. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
When Lyndon Johnson came to Houston... Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
When Lyndon Johnson came to Houston... Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Lady Bird Johnson on the campaign trail with LBJ. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
A Houston Chronicle cover from 1960 is shown. Dig that font. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
The streets of Houston in dizzying color. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Downtown Houston Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Downtown Houston during the holidays. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Cecil Burdick Jr.'s camera equipment, photographed by his son. Josh Burdick/Cecil Burdick Jr.
Getting ready to liftoff from Houston Airport Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
A sign outside old Colt Stadium, near where the Astrodome and NRG Stadium now stand. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
The scene at Colt Stadium, home of the Houston Colt .45s. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
The scene at Colt Stadium, home of the Houston Colt .45s. This park was later dismantled and reconstructed in Mexico. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
The scene at Colt Stadium, home of the Houston Colt .45s. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Downtown Houston Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
An aerial view of Downtown Houston Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
An aerial view of Downtown Houston Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
An aerial view of Downtown Houston Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
The inside of the Astrodome is seen here. You might own one of those seats now. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
The inside of the Astrodome is seen here. You might own one of those seats now. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
The inside of the Astrodome is seen here. You might own one of those seats now. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Grand, old Astroworld not too long after it opened. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Rides at Astroworld Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
A view of Downtown Houston from a peak at Astroworld Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Grand, old Astroworld not too long after it opened with the Dome in the distance. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
The Dome, with the AstroHall right next door. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Downtown Houston
Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Construction has always been a constant in Downtown Houston. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Downtown Houston at night Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Shopping in Houston. Do you see the Confederate flag? Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
Joske's in Houston. Cecil E. Burdick Jr./Cecil Burdick Jr.
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area.
Pearland's latest population estimate was 112,300 within its city limits, with another 25,000 coming from extra-territorial areas.
City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area.
Interesting note: This parking lot is now filled with people six days a week waiting to get a bite of Killen's Barbecue, located in a building just to the right of the camera in this photo.
City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area.
Pictured here is Jamison's farm, which up until a decade or so ago sold fresh fruit and pastries daily.
City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area.
This is old C.J. Harris Elementary, which later served as a satellite campus of Alvin Community College.
City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society
The Pearland Historical Society shared these photos with the Houston Chronicle of the town of Pearland as seen in 1972, just after a boom in development hit the area. City of Pearland / Pearland Historical Society The town of Deer Park had fitful beginnings on the way to becoming a major cog in the oil refinery world. Times weren't always easy but a hearty group of settlers were steadfast in their resolve to lay down roots in the area.
The goal is to show off the growth of the town from a small settlement into the diverse suburb it is today. The city places its official incorporation date as December 20, 1892.
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Latest Local And State News Houston Chronicle It was Native Americans who first hunted and fished on the land which was prone to flooding just 24 feet above sea level, centuries before Illinois pioneer Simeon Henry West brought his people to the area in 1892.
West had noticed a great number of deer roaming the plains and settled on a name for his new town. It’s interesting that he didn’t bestow a name on the town something a bit more aligned to its roots as the “Birthplace of Texas.” After all, the initial treaty signed after the Battle of San Jacinto in April 1836 was signed at the home of Dr. George Moffitt Patrick just off Buffalo Bayou to the north.
Within eight years, West and the first residents finally saw the area on its way to being a farming and fruit-producing community. Hopes were high for the town. The possibly for year-round farming was a bonus for new residents.
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The founder built a hotel and relied on the new railroad coming through the area. A blizzard in 1895 brought snowfall of around 24 inches and threw some farmers for a loop, making them question the idea of a tropical area. Galveston Bay had even frozen over in 1899.
West brought in streets, water lines and other modern conveniences. He named Luella Street after his daughter, one of the only local streets that remain from West’s time.
Catastrophic flooding in September 1900 from the historic hurricane that ravaged Galveston just south of Deer Park washed away hopes of further development, and the settlers moved on to drier locales.
By 1905, West himself sold off his interests in the town and Deer Park became a ghost town of sorts. Those who stuck around had a hard row to hoe, to use a farming trope.
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The discovery of oil at Spindletop near Beaumont in 1901 would eventually turn the tide for Deer Park, which would became a hub for the growing oil refining industry within a decade or two.
It wasn’t until the Shell Oil Company broke ground in the late ‘20s that Deer Park’s fortunes began to fully change and development began to ramp up just east of Pasadena and just south of the San Jacinto Battleground. The Shell people went all in on the area, taking advantage of a developing Port of Houston. Company towns benefited from an influx of oil money, to say the least.
“Shell City” as Deer Park was dubbed colloquially saw a boom in family life, and business workers from the plant sought to settle down just south of work. Soon the town began getting all of the things that are hallmarks of a burgeoning community like a city hall, a fire station, an independent water supply and public schools. Center Street, a major thoroughfare, was paved with shell for some time.
The installation of Texas 225 was a shot in the arm for the area. Post-war development surged as veterans returned home from World War II in search of jobs.
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The Deer Park Historical Committee routinely shares historical photos to its Facebook page and each post brings about detailed, pride-filled conversation about days long gone and the lives of the people who helped build the city. Some of those photos can be seen in the slideshow above.
We can only imagine what Simeon West would have made of the insane labyrinth of steel that is now the chemical plant system not far from where he founded Deer Park.