Oaks River is a residential community located in the center of Houston, Texas, United States. Located in Circle 610 and between Downtown and Uptown, this community spans 1,100 acres (450 hectares). Founded in 1920 by the brothers of William and Michael Hogg, society became a national model published for community planning. The value of real estate in the community ranges from $ 1 million to over $ 20 million. River Oaks is also called the most expensive neighborhood in Houston in 2013. This community is home to River Oaks Country Club, which includes a golf course designed by architect Donald Ross and redesigned in 2015 by Tom Fazio.
Video River Oaks, Houston
History
William and Michael Hogg, son of former Texas Governor Jim Hogg, and Hugh Potter's lawyer founded River Oaks in the 1920s. Potter acquired the option to purchase 200 acres (81 ha) around River Oaks Country Club in 1923, and the following year William Hogg founded Country Club Estates to support community development. The brothers promoted the sale of lots in subdivisions for $ 2,200 each in 1928. The brothers, along with sister Ima Hogg, oversaw the construction of Bayou Bend, a magnificent southern-style house on the edge of Buffalo Bayou.
The development plan ensures that the Oaks River park and esplanade is planted with oak trees, shrubs, azaleas and other flowers. Every detail of development is planned to form a well-integrated community. Advertised as "a great experiment in a good life," River Oaks is a national model for community planning. River Oaks planning standards, residential architecture, and landscape designs were published in the 1920s and 1930s in national newspapers, real estate media and design journals. The restrictions prevailing at that time limited home prices to over $ 7,000 and certain architectural styles, with the consent of a man excluding blacks, Jews and other minorities. Houses along Kirby Drive are limited to the American Colonial or Tudor-style architecture.
During the 1920s, River Oaks was highly organized, planned, and restricted, making it the most expensive neighborhood in Houston. The city of Houston annexed the community in 1927, adding 3,465 hectares (1,402 hectares) of land to the city limits. The bus service to Downtown Houston opened in the same year. After World War II, when Houston experienced its greatest growth, River Oaks became a haven for the wealthy in the city.
The Oaks River has been the subject of scientific study, largely because of its significant contribution to the history and development of Houston as an elite suburban community. The community is where 1972's murder. John Hill (later described in the Thomas Thompson novel, Blood and Money ). River Oaks was Jeff Skilling's home before he began serving a 25-year prison term for his involvement in the Enron scandal.
The River Oaks Garden Club The Forum of Civics, located in Upper Kirby, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as "Forum of Civics" on October 13, 1988. Formerly a county school, this building is currently the administrative center for River Oaks Garden Club.
In 2011, Bloomberg Businessweek ranked River Oaks as the seventh most expensive housing block in the United States.
Maps River Oaks, Houston
Geography
Located in Circle 610 and between Downtown and Uptown, the Oaks River covers 1,100 hectares (450 acres). The community is located in an area bordered on the north by Buffalo Bayou, to the east by South Shepherd Drive, to the west by Willowick Road, and to the south by Westheimer Road. The Oaks River is located in northeastern Uptown, north of UpperÃ, Kirby district, west of Neartown, and close to the highway system and many major highways such as Westheimer Road, Kirby Drive and San Felipe Street.
River Oaks Boulevard, a street that runs in the middle of the community, is lined on both sides by mansions and estates located off the road. The area of ​​two square miles (5.2 m 2 ) of the subdivision consists of about 1,600 homes, mostly single-family homes apart. In 1990, the Houston Chronicle said that "[t] its grandest streets are probably River Oaks Boulevard and Lazy Lane.Some homes are monstrosities, but many show flavor and elegance and also have a garden that beautiful. "
Demographics
The Oaks River is in the Super Houston neighborhood of # 23 Afton Oaks/Oaks River, a division of the City of Houston that includes the Oaks River and several surrounding subdivisions. In 2000, the neighborhood had 14,313 inhabitants; 12,273 of them (85.7%) are White, 1,160 (8.1%) are Hispanic, 390 (2.7%) are Asian, 247 (1.7%) are Black, 18 are Native Americans, 13 are native Hawaiians, and 23 others. 189 people of two or more races.
According to the US census in 2000, of 12,088 people over 18 years, 10,390 (86.0%) were white, 945 (7.8%) were Hispanic, 353 (2.9%) were Asian, 205 (1 , 7%) are Black, 17 are Native Americans, 8 are Hawaii native, and 22 others. 148 of two or more races.
The neighborhood has 8,169 housing units. Of the 7,401 units occupied, 3,573 are rental units and 3,828 are owner units. The Super Environment has 3,518 families with a total of 9,521 people. The Oaks Super Neighborhood River has an average family size lower than the average size of the City of Houston family. The average River Oaks is 2.7, while the city average is 3.4.
The Oaks River is one of the richest communities in Texas and the United States. Real estate values ​​range from $ 1 million to over $ 20 million.
Culture, parks and recreation
Nearby the community is River Oaks Shopping Center, Houston's first shopping center. Built in 1927 and designed by architect Hugh Prather, the center, originally known as the River Oaks Community Center, is one of the first car-oriented retail centers in the United States. The design, with the retail space arcs on both sides of West Gray Avenue, is considered a model for future development. Parts of the historic shopping center were destroyed in September 2007 to redevelop the site for bookstores and parking garages. In 2008, the Landmark Theater operated the River Oaks Theater, an arthouse theater, located in the center. Theater is the last historic movie theater in Houston that is still in use as it was originally designed.
River Oaks is home to 40 members of the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra. The orchestra consists of musicians from all over the United States and guest conductors from all over the world. River Oaks Country Club, located within the community at the northern end of the River Oaks Boulevard, is a country club that includes golf facilities designed by architect Donald Ross. Ross is considered one of the most significant golf course designers in golf history. Opened in 1923, the country club has hosted the Oaks River International Tennis Tournament since 1931. Houston Intown Chamber of Commerce helps economic activity in River Oaks. The Houston Ballet headquarters, training facilities and pre-professional school, Ben Stevenson Academy, are located in West Gray near River Oaks Shopping Center until 2012.
Garden
Some of the city parks serve the River Oaks. River Oaks Park and River Oaks Community Center, operated by the City of Houston, is one block west of Lamar High School. River Oaks Park includes a 0.25 mile (0.40 km) off-road trail located within park boundaries, tennis courts, playgrounds and light sports fields. River Oaks Park includes the Pumpkin Train, which is meant to raise the Cinderella train. Around 2003 Friends of River Oaks Parks has restored the train. The Houston Business Journal says "Pumpkin Park provides tremendous resources for children's environments - beautiful playgrounds, community centers and Summer Enrichment Programs that offer children's sporting activities and craft classes. "
On June 24, 1999 Property Owner River Oaks, Inc. signed an agreement with City of Houston; ROPO agrees to maintain and improve parks and fields in the Oaks River. ROPO also has the right to spend its own funds to fix it. Urban parks assisted by ROPO include Del Monte Park, Mary Elliot Park, Ella Lee Park, Homewood Park, Kirby Park, Rebecca Meyer Park, Olympia Park, Pine Valley Park and Sleepy Hollow Park.
Education
Primary and secondary schools
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) operates a public school serving the Oaks River. This community is located within the Trustee District VII, represented by Harvin C. Moore in 2009. In 2000, nearly 9% of HISD property taxes came from residents of the Oaks River.
The boundaries of the River Oaks Elementary School, Lanier Middle School, and Lamar High School include the River Oaks. Lanier opened in 1926, the River Oaks Elementary opened in 1929, and Lamar opened in 1937. In 2014 there were 517 students in kindergarten to five classes categorized to River Oaks Elementary School; that year, according to HISD estimates, about 56% attend River Oaks Element, about 41% attend private schools or homeschooling programs, about 2% attend other HISD schools, and about 1% attend public schools in other school districts. Laura Nathan-Garner, author of the second edition of Insiders' Guide to Houston (2012), writes that "Many children in [Oaks River] attend [Lamar]".
In 1974 most of the Oaks River was assigned to the River Oaks Elementary School. Before the desegregation, there were about 800 children. After the desegregation, many parents moved their children from River Oaks Elementary School, and the school was far below capacity. In 1986 the school environment component was closed. At that time, the River Oaks mostly had older families. At that time the remaining families who have children have the money to send their children to private schools and prefer to do so.
Between 1986 and 1996, River Oaks Elementary School received only magnet school students from other areas of the city. The community is divided between the attendance zone of the Wilson Elementary School (opened in 1925), the now closed Will Rogers Elementary School (opened in 1950, closed in summer 2006), and Poe Elementary School. In 1995 River Oaks Elementary became one of Houston's most prestigious primary schools and had a waiting list. In that year several new families had established themselves in the River Oaks and many of them were interested in sending their children to public schools. In 1995, some Oaks River parents petitioned HISD to rebuild environmental programs at River Oaks Elementary School which enabled non-magnetic students living on the border of the school to attend. Some magnet parents are opposed, believing that the River Oaks program will reduce racial diversity in schools. In 1996, HISD added environmental programs to schools for grades of kindergarten up to 2, with grades 3 to 5 phased over the next three year period.
The Early Childhood Center Crockett is the closest public center of childhood to River Oaks, while the Wilson Elementary School preschool program is the nearest cost-based education program. Only economically disadvantaged students, homeless students, non-English speaking students, or children of active military military personnel or their parents who have been killed, injured or lost in action on active duty may be enrolled in tuition fees- free preschool HISD. Eligible students for HISD preschools can attend the Early Childhood Center at Houston ISD for free. Unqualified students can enroll in a cost-based HISD preschool program.
Some independent (private) schools serve the community. Since the 1970s and 1995, most of the children in the Oaks River were sent to private schools. The Catholic School, operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in Galveston-Houston, includes St. Thomas High School (9-12, male only, north of the Oaks River along the northern edge of Buffalo Bayou) and St. Anne Catholic School (K-8, south of the Oaks River in Shepherd and Westheimer). Other private schools in the area and private schools that are marketed to the River Oaks family include St. John's (K-12, Upper Kirby), Annunciation Orthodox School (K-8, in Neartown), River Oaks Baptist School (K-8, on Oaks River), Episcopal High School (9-12, Bellaire), The Kinkaid School in (Piney Point Village). In 2006 St. Anne Catholic School received the Blue Ribbon Award.
Colleges and universities
The Oaks River is within the confines of the Houston Community College system. The nearest campuses are Central Campus in Midtown and West Loop Center. Four years of universities and colleges near the Oaks River include St. University. Thomas at Montrose and Rice University at the Houston Museum District.
Library
This community is served by Adele B. Looscan Branch of Houston Public Library. Opened in September 2007. The former library, founded in 1956, closed on August 27, 2005 and was destroyed in February 2006.
The previous Looscan branch had about 61,000 visitors in fiscal 2005. The original plan for Looscan asked the library to get $ 5.4 million in renovations. A Top Kirby group proposed a new site near Upper Kirby YMCA. Around that period the Friends of the Neighborhood Library group began raising funds. The replacement library, for $ 6.2 million, has two staff and two and a half times the size of the previous facility. The Friends of the Neighborhood Library raised a million dollars in four months, and about $ 2.5 million in total to help fund the new library. The 21,000 square foot library (2,000 m 2 ), designed by Jackson & amp; Ryan Architects, has more than 60,000 books and is the first LEED certified facility in the city. This includes a 120-seat multi-purpose conference room and a 14-seat private conference room. The library has several reading areas, including the Marsha Moody Children's Reading Room, a teen reading area, and a periodic reading area. The exterior is designed to match the visual cues of buildings in the surrounding area, such as the Baptist Church and the River Oaks School. The Emily Scott and Joseph Wood Evans Clock Tower, part of the library's exterior, including garden book archives and artwork.
School gallery
Media
The Houston Chronicle is the regional regional newspaper. On Thursdays, residents receive a Bellaire/West U/Oaks/Meyerland section, which includes special events for this environment. The River Oaks Examiner and Village News are local newspapers distributed in the community. The River Oaks Buzz is a monthly magazine sent free to all residents and focuses on the community.
Government and infrastructure
Local government
The Houston Fire Department operates Station 3 at 3735 West Alabama in Cummins, near the Oaks River. The fire station is in Fire District 28. Station 3 moved to its current location in 1958. The station underwent a renovation in 2003 and 2004 and reopened in the northern half of the spring of 2004. The community is within the Houston Central Division's Central Police Division , headquartered at 61 Riesner. River Oaks has one of the lowest crime rates in Houston.
Office Property Owner River Oaks, Inc. is located at 3923 San Felipe Road. The community operates its own private security forces, River Oaks Patrol. The Texas Department of Public Security classifies strength as a guard, alarm, and investigative company. The Community is in a Super # 23 Neighborhood and a recognized council was established on October 15, 2001. Each super neighborhood represents a group of civil clubs, places of worship, business, and other institutions and public interests. The Oaks River is part of Houston City Council District G.
Local, state, and federal government
The Oaks River is in Harris County Precinct 4. In 2011, R. Jack Cagle is County county commissioner. The Oaks River is at Peace Justice/Police One Police. In 2012, Alan Rosen is the police.
The Oaks River is located in District 134 of the Texas Representative Council and is represented by a Republican Sarah Davis. The Oaks River is in the 13th District of Texas Senate and represented by Rodney Ellis, a Democrat.
This community is in the 7th congress district of Texas. In 2013, its representative is John Culberson. The US Post Office Service (USPS) operates the Oaks River Post Office at 1900 West Gray Street, supporting zip codes 77027 and 77019. The post office is located at 109,160 square feet (10,141 m 2 ) Property with gross building area 18,100 square feet (1,680 m 2 ). In addition, Post Office Julius Melcher is near the River Oaks. In January 2009, the USPS announced that it would place the property of River Oaks Post Office for sale. In October of that year, the USPS announced that, for the time being, it would not sell the Oaks and Melcher River post offices.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) operates a bus service on the River Oaks. The line that serves the Oaks River includes 3 Langley/Gray West, 18 Kirby Limited, 35 Fairview, 73 Bellfort Crosstown, and 82 Westheimer.
Politics
Politicians and political parties conduct a fund-raising campaign at River Oaks for having "six desirable qualities" including "charm, location, introduction, location, familiarity and location of the Secret Service." In 2000 and 2004, residents of River Oaks gave $ 3.9 million for political campaigns. In 2008, they gave $ 3.4 million for political campaigns until mid-year. The Oaks River has been described as one of the "richest and most Republican areas" in Houston.
Famous citizen
- Jim Bath, entrepreneur
- George R. Brown
- John Connally, Governor of Texas
- Clyde Drexler, a professional basketball player
- And Duncan, the businessman
- Carolyn Farb, philanthropist
- Andrew Fastow and Lea Fastow, the main characters of the Enron scandal and his wife
- Tilman J. Fertitta, business star and reality star
- Ima Hogg, philanthropist and art collector
- Molly Ivins, reporter, author
- Bob Lanier, former Mayor of Houston
- Khalid bin Mahfouz, oil figure of Saudi Arabia
- John W. Mecom, Sr.
- Robert Mosbacher, entrepreneur and politician
- Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church
- Fayez Sarofim, an investor at Forbes 500
- Jeffrey Skilling, the main character of the Enron scandal
- Lynn Wyatt, socialite and philanthropist
- Oscar Wyatt, oil baron
Gallery
See also
- History of Houston
- Geographic region of Houston
- Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
- Highland Park and the Oaks River
References
- McAdams, Donald R. Struggling to Rescue Our Urban Schools-- and Win!: Lessons from Houston . Teachers College Press, 2000. ISBNÃ, 0807770353, 9780807770351.
Note
External links
- Property Owner River Oaks, Inc.
- Oaks River, Houston from Texas Online Handbook
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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