CHAPTER 02 Astrodome, Notsuoh, Buff Stadium Rice Stadium

In 1840 Houston was divided into four wards, similar to New York, Chicago and other major cities. As the city grew, the Fifth and Sixth Wards were added. The wards were created as political divisions but became cultural and ethnic divisions also. Even though Houston no longer uses the ward system, they still remain as geographic divisions.

The Second Ward, on the east side of downtown, is the area where many Mexican-Americans settled when arriving in Houston in the early 20th century. Felix Fraga, former Houston city councilman, remembers when the area was known as Germantown before it became populated with Latinos, many of whom worked in the area.

Known as the East End, it was a working class neighborhood that attracted a variety of businesses and industry. One of the largest employers for decades in the 20th century was Hughes Tool Company. The success of Hughes Tool enabled the flamboyant Howard Hughes, son of the company's founder, to become one of the richest men in the world. His life was featured in a Hollywood film, "The Aviator."
Historian and author Michael Botson used materials in the Houston Metropolitan Research Center to study the role of labor unions in Houston up to about World War II and how the unions and the labor movement affected industrial growth in the region.

The Latin American Collection in the Houston Metropolitan Research Center documents much of the history and culture of the Second Ward and the Hispanic community in Houston. Officially called the Hispanic Books and Archives Collection, it is considered one of the finest such collections in the U.S., documenting 500 years of Spanish and Mexican heritage in Texas.

One prominent Mexican-American leader in Houston was Melisio Gomez who owned a busy family-style restaurant. He encouraged his children and their friends to embrace education and hard work. Their photographs and family memorabilia comprise the important Melisio Gomez Family Collection giving great insight into Mexican-American family life and struggles during this era.

Long time Houstonians fondly remember another popular restaurant in the Montrose area called Felix Mexican Restaurant with its distinctive neon sign and Spanish-style architecture. It was founded by Felix Tijerina, one of the most influential people in Houston's Mexican-American community. He was involved in LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens) and founded a successful educational program called the Little School of the 400.

Another valuable collection is the Lydia Mendoza Collection, documenting the work of the legendary Tejana singer who began her career in the 1920s. Historian Thomas Kreneck said, "She was a living icon in Hispanic culture in the U.S."

This valuable history is contained in the collections at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center in the Texas Room at the Houston Public Library.  Video scenes are from the documentary, "In Search of Houston History," produced by the Friends of the Texas Room and aired on HoustonPBS.