Town of Independence Heights
Content Description
The Independence Heights collection contains materials about the town’s history, development and preservation efforts. The collection consists of news clippings, correspondence, a map, church programs, VHS tapes, a DVD, incorporation papers, church displays and the city history. Of note are the Delinquent Tax Record ledgers from 1921 to 1922. Many of the original documents were retained by the donor; reproductions are available. It also contains copy negatives and prints which were likely produced by Houston Metropolitan Research Center staff. The donor(s) retained most of the original photographs. Photographs 1-8, 9, 12-14, 27, 28-31, 45, 62, 63, 75-85 are original photographs. Pictured are homes, churches, portraits and groups shots. Materials are dated from 1921-1989, with the bulk of the materials from the 1980s.
Dates
- Other: 1921-1986
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from Town of Independence Heights must be obtained from the African American Library at the Gregory School or the appropriate copyright holder.
Historical
Developed by the Wright Land Company, black families began moving into the area north of Houston around 1908. In 1915 the population of nearly 600 African-Americans voted to incorporate Independence Heights, making it the first all black city in Texas. The mayors for Independence Heights were G. O. Burgess (1915-1919), O. L. Hubbard (1919-1924) and Arthur L. McCullough (1925-1928). Businesses in Independence Heights included retail stores, restaurants, building contractors, lumberyards, a blacksmith shop, tailor and a barber shop. A school opened in 1911 and fraternal organizations and churches were also developed. The city was annexed to Houston in 1929.
Extent
4.58 Linear Feet (4 boxes, 2 over-size boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Arranged in 5 series by subject and format
Series
- History
- Incorporation and City Records
- Organizations, Churches and Families
- Audiovisual Materials
- Photographic Materials
Custodial History
These records were formerly housed at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library as RG M 4 Town of Independence Heights and were transferred to the African American Library at the Gregory School, Houston Public Library in February 2019.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Vivian Seals in 1986; Addition donated by Leona Walls, 1998
Processing Information
Processed by Sheena Wilson in January 2020
- Cities and town -- Texas -- Houston Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Independence Heights (Houston, Tex.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Independence Heights (Houston, Tex.)--History Subject Source: Local sources
- Title
- RG 0063 Town of Independence Heights
- Subtitle
- An inventory of records at the African American Library at the Gregory School, Houston Public Library
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Sheena Wilson
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the African American History Research Center Repository
