In order to appreciate the success of a city you must first know how it was founded. Houston Texas was founded a few months after the Texas War for Independence (where colonists rebelled against the Mexican government to claim the province of Texas) in 1836 (2015, June 20). Two brothers New York City real estate promoters, J. K. and A. C. Allen, bought 6,642 acres of land from a Texas settler known as T.F.L. Parrot (2015, June 20). The Allen brothers decided to name their newly acquired land after the hero of the Texas War, General Sam Houston. Colonists began flocking to the city to be for its busy seaports and railroads, and Houston was advertised as “where 17 railroads meet the sea.” Houston’s barren lands were soon dotted with log cabins, taverns, and shacks posing as shops (2015, June 20). Despite no big, expensive buildings Houston flourished anyway. In 1837 the city was granted incorporation by state legislature and was made into the temporary capitol of Texas (2012, November 3). At this time drunkenness, dueling, brawling, and prostitution were major problems for Houston. In order to put an end to these …show more content…
In 1910 many Mexicans were displaced due to the Mexican revolution and flooded Houston. As a result, these Mexicans still have a strong influence in Houston today
(2012, November 3). Oil has had a major impact on Houston once it was discovered in Texas in 1901 (2012, November 3). In 1913 twelve oil companies had located themselves in Houston. The most notable company was Humble Oil Company, known today as ExxonMobil. World War II benefited the Houston economy greatly due to the huge need for oil created.
More recently Houston has been a positive example for embracing diversity. Voters selected the first African American for the city council in 1971 and the first Mexican American in 1979
(2010, June 15). In 2009 Houston became the first U.S. city with a population over one million to elect an openly gay mayor (2010, June