By Texas Map & Blue Printing Company “1920s Map”

First Ward

Historically, the first ward truly was the birth of Houston and covered the Northwestern part of the city. Due to its proximity to two major rail lines and the Market House, it served as the city’s first business epicenter. Also, the meeting of the White Oak and Buffalo Bayous at Allen’s Landing made the area the natural choice for Houston’s first port, flourishing the business industry.

Always evolving, yet remaining historic, Houston’s first ward is now a convenient and communal area with easy access to neighborhoods such as Downtown and Greater Heights. Part of Art District Houston, the First Ward is home to over 300 galleries, artists, and nonprofit art organizations.

First Ward residents and potential buyers are treated to a diverse range of housing options. Such as, renovated homes, townhomes, and lots of new, contemporary construction to contrast with traditional architecture.

Second Ward

This rapidly developing part of Houston lies east of Downtown and just south of the Buffalo Bayou. Bordered to the east and west by the railroads, Houston’s second ward was one of the City’s original Four Wards and is decorated with history and diverse cultures.

Located in Houston’s greater east end, much of the ward offers dazzling views of Downtown Houston’s impressive skyline. The Second Ward is a homage to Houston’s “melting pot” persona and was home to many Mexican Americans and German Americans throughout the past 100 years. This tribute can be easily found today with the area’s many, traditional and delicious family owned Taquerias and Mexican restaurants.

The popular Houston Maritime Museum is a landmark of the area, as is the eccentric Guadalupe Plaza Park.

Much of the Second Ward’s architecture consisted of late 19th and 20th century industrial buildings. However, much of this space has since been reclaimed by new townhomes and apartment construction, which has attracted a legion of new residents and businesses to the area. On the east side of the ward, affordable housing options can be found in the shape of mid-20th century single family homes. Pricier alternatives can be found in the Wards west side and closer to Downtown, with newly constructed luxury townhomes and subdivisions.

Third Ward

Although part of Houston’s original Four Wards, the Third Ward is now only a fraction of its original size. The Ward lies south of the US-45 freeway and north of the Old Spanish Trail.

The Third Ward is a predominantly African American community with a rich and proud history, as the epicenter of Houston's civil rights movement. Student protests in the 1960’s helped pave the way for African American equality in Houston. The area’s communal center is Emancipation Park. A beautiful, ten-acre green space that was purchased in 1872 by former slaves to celebrate of the end of slavery in Texas.

Residents of the Third Ward have the luxury of enjoying the area’s rich cultural legacy. The Third Ward is home to the critically acclaimed Black Ensemble theatre, the Houston Museum of Art and Culture, and the beautiful green space of Herman Park.

Despite economic disparities that have continually existed in the area, the 21st century has seen increased investment and development in the area, likely due to its proximity to Downtown and the University of Houston. Housing in the Third Ward includes Project Row Houses, shotgun cottages, and new Townhomes on the west side.

Fourth Ward

The Fourth Ward of Houston holds a historic legacy and is home to Freedman’s town, a post US civil war community for African Americans. The area originated in Downtown Houston and expanded west along the Buffalo Bayou, which still borders the Ward to the north, sitting within the 610 loop.

Residents of the Fourth Ward can choose between a bustling nightlife of restaurants and bar hopping in Midtown, or the trendy yet hipster experience of Montrose, with its retro thrift stores and outlandish dive bars. Fourth Ward is also home to the stunning San Felipe Park and offers biking and walking trails along Houston’s famous Buffalo Bayou.

Homes in the Fourth Ward are of a dramatic variety. The area has many historic shotgun family homes and vintage neighborhoods and architecture. Ongoing revitalization of residential communities and commercial development has seen a rise in affordable condos, townhomes, and impressive apartment complexes. Many neighborhoods in the Fourth Ward are very walkable communities, which in itself, is a luxury many other Houstonians cannot regularly enjoy.

Fifth Ward

Not one of the original historic wards of Houston, the Fitch Ward was carved out of the First and Second Wards. The neighborhood was historically occupied by working-class families of the manufacturing industries and employees of the Houston ship canal.

Today, the fifth ward spans wide, both north, and east of Downtown Houston. This large span offers residents enough locations for fun activities such as many restaurants and parks. The Fifth Ward is also home to the Northside Neighborhood, where one can find the Saint Arnold Brewery and White Oak Music Hall, an excellent indoor and outdoor concert venue. Much of the housing in the Ward consists of a high concentration of affordable single-family homes with some multifamily complexes.

Unfortunately, for many years the Fifth Ward has been one of the least developed wards and most undesirable neighborhoods in the city. This is partly due to its proximity to old rail yards which have an effect on the unhealthy air quality of its surrounding areas.

Sixth Ward

Sculpted from the northern part of the original Fourth Ward in 1876, the Sixth Ward is one of the most preserved and historically respected areas of Houston. Valiant efforts from residents to preserve the eastern portion of the Ward led to the conception of a new neighborhood, Old Sixth Ward. This area now has one of the region’s highest concentrations of traditional architecture and fully intact Victorian homes. In fact, many of the buildings that are still standing, such as the bungalows and corner stores, were originally built between 1870 and 1900.

Today, the Sixth Ward is home to a high volume of urban professionals from hectic business centers such as Downtown Houston and Texas Medical Center. Residents can unwind, however, with bar hopping down Washington Avenue, or enjoying the outdoors in one of Houston’s most beloved green spaces, Memorial Park.