History of 11th Street

11th Street in Houston Heights bears rich history dating back to the late 19th century. Established by the Omaha and South Texas Land Company, Houston Heights is now the city’s oldest neighborhood community.

One of the early pioneers of Houston Heights, John A. Milroy, arrived in Houston from New York in 1893. In 1898, he relocated with his family to 1102 Heights Blvd. Milroy Park now occupies the original site of Houston Heights High School, which tragically burned down on March 13, 1924. Presently, the Friends of Lawrence and Milroy Parks is an organization dedicated to renovating the park through fundraising efforts.

For two decades, Milroy served as the general agent of the Houston Heights Office of Carter’s company, overseeing all lands owned by Carter in Texas. Additionally, he held the position of mayor of Houston Heights for eight terms, from 1899 to 1907. Milroy passed away just a few months after the annexation of Houston Heights into Houston in 1918.

The one-story, wood-frame cottage at 219 W. 11th St. was built in 1904 by George Burnett who insisted the house be elevated seven feet. Burnett was the sole survivor of his family who was killed during the Galveston flood — the deadliest in U.S. history — and the home has remained in his family until the 2020’s when it was sold for $2M+. The house has since been converted into A New Leaf, a Reggio Emilia approach K-5 School.

As the decades unfolded, many changes to 11th Street continue to shape the street into what we know today. In the mid-20th century, 11th Street played host to the vibrant sounds of music as it housed H.W. “Pappy” Daily’s first record store, Daily’s. Today, that building still stands as C&D Hardware, one of Houston’s oldest hardware stores.

In 1929, the building on the northeast corner of 11th and Cortlandt that houses Doug’s Barbershop opened. Doug’s Barbership is one of the longest running barbershop establishments (94 years) and also the filming location of Rushmore, Wes Anderson 1999 Masterpiece.

Scene from Rushmore filmed at Doug’s Barbershop

The neighborhood’s geographic center: Heights Boulevard & 11th

11th Street at Heights Blvd serves as a focal point for both the neighborhood and the city, adorned by the World War II Memorial and a historic street lamp gifted from Berlin. It’s no surprise that Re:Vive development has re-adapted multiple buildings along the street, and Morris Strategic Investments replaced the suburban style post office with a low rise urban style shopping center at this key intersection.

Interior designer and historic bungalow revival with a public gathering area as well as unique home gifts

Studewood Place introduces mixed-use mid-rise with restaurant space and an exclusive event rooftop space

Specialty Allergy & ENT clinic, 2nd outpost of Mediterranean street food style, Food Network acclaimed pastry chef, Japanese hand rolls with speakeasy

Adaptive reuse Re:Vive: 24-hour gym, modern neighborhood diner, kid’s haircut place and a revival of art deco

Heights Central Station – a mixed-use urban low-rise commercial property that serves as one of the anchors of 11th Street

A Vibrant Canvas Yearning for More

11th Street is a vibrant canvas adorned with artistic expressions, featuring murals by esteemed Houston artists like Nicky Davis, Daniel Anguilu, EMPYRE, and ACZILLA. At the heart of the artistic pulse is Gus Kapriva of the Redbud Arts Center. Not only does Kapriva sustain the local arts scene, but he also serves as the visionary behind the “True North” rotating art exhibit along the grand Heights Blvd.

11:11 – Make a Wish

In recent years, the character of the street has undergone a transformation, witnessing both departures and arrivals that paint a picture of change. Andy’s, a beloved neighborhood Tex-Mex restaurant, found itself priced out of the area, marking a departure that left a Tex-Mex-shaped void in the hearts of locals. Similarly, A 2nd Cup, a nonprofit coffee shop fighting human trafficking, relocated from the street in pursuit of more affordable rent in nearby Northside Village.

A perfect example of the narrative for this street is Loro opening in a Michael Hsu converted-church Loro, the Asian smokehouse from James Beard Award-winning partners, pitmaster Aaron Franklin and chef Tyson Cole.

Loro RE:VIVE a church Hai Hospitality’s Asian smokehouse concept that unites two James Beard Award winners — Uchi founder Tyson Cole and Franklin Barbecue founder Aaron Franklin

1939 Stude Theater, taken over by Resurrection Life Fellowship demolished for a 7-story BIG TEXT STORAGE building

The street’s quirkiness is palpable, from the cell tower cleverly disguised as a bell tower on Studewood and 11th to the poignant shift from the 1939 Stude Theater to the towering presence of the 7-story Big Tex storage facility.

Despite these alterations, 11th Street remains deeply rooted in the neighborhood, serving as a central artery for the community. The recent addition of bike lanes not only promotes safer mobility but also opens up avenues for collective imagination. This street, with its evolving tapestry, invites the community to envision and shape its future, positioning itself as a contender for the title of Houston’s next best street.

I Love 11th