History of West University Place

The idea for a community of country homes in the area that is now West University Place was conceived in 1910 by Ben W. Hooper, then Governor of Tennessee. That year, Governor Hooper bought a tract of land southwest of Houston out of an old Spanish land grant, which had been surveyed by A.C. Reynolds. The Houston West End Realty Company, A.D. Foreman, President, developed today's West University Place First Addition and put the first lots up for sale on April 1, 1917. The area's proximity to Rice University led to the name West University Place.

When the City of Houston decided not to invest in utility lines to service the tiny community with an uncertain future, Foreman spent $100,000 of his own earnings to bring electrical, water and telephone service to West U. Still, in 1923 there were only 40 families living in the muddy, poorly drained swamp. In those early days, a 100' x 200' lot cost $1,000 and houses were required to cost a minimum of $2,500. Homes facing Buffalo Speedway and Bellaire Boulevard were required to cost $4,000 and $5,000 respectively.

Residents dissatisfied with muddy streets, poor drainage, and the absence of schools and fire protection joined in a series of town meetings, resulting in the incorporation of the City in 1924. For six years City fathers put the creation of an infrastructure above all other conveniences: building streets and providing various services such as natural gas supply, a water supply, sewage disposal, postal delivery, police and fire protection, and garbage collection.

The pragmatism of the city's early residents resulted in the development of our first park, Wier Park, at Belmont and Sunset, in 1930. With most of our park land donated to the City by early residents and developers, West U continues to take pride in the greenery and open recreational space offered at six developed parks in existence today. Expansion of our largest park, Colonial Park, continues with the acquisition of surrounding lots.

In 1939, the City exhibited confidence in its own political maturity and the character of its citizens by refusing to consolidate with its larger, powerful neighbor, the City of Houston. The confidence was solidified in adoption of the first City Charter in 1940.

Over the years, the City has progressed steadily toward its present position as one of the area's most desirable neighborhoods. Civic-minded citizens and small-town government, combined with a proximity to major business, educational, cultural, and scientific centers, have contributed to a steady increase in property values.

With a philosophy that combines rich traditions and responsible innovation, West University Place has shed its orphan municipality roots to become a stable, yet progressive model city.