The City of Houston is celebrating a birthday today. In 1836 Augustus C. and John K. Allen plunked down $1.40 an acre for land near the Buffalo Bayou headwaters, founding a city that would grow to be fourth largest in the nation. Working with the Borden brother’s surveyors group, they mapped out the future metropolis centered on the 100’ wide Texas Avenue. During the first census after statehood in 1850 there are 2,397 people living in Houston.
Today, with a population of more than 2.14 million residents, the city celebrates its 183 birthday with a party at Sam Houston Park beginning at 4:30 and running through 8. Free tours will be provided by the Historical Society. A celebration at Connally Plaza will include free pizza, free beer donated by St. Arnold’s Brewery, drinks and birthday cake donated by Three Brothers Bakery. Mr. McKinney’s Historic Houston will offer free bus tours of historic sites. Downtown District 1 Houston City Council Member serves as honorary chair and Mayor Sylvester Turner will cut the birthday cake at around 5. Houston’s oldest financial institution, Central Bank, is lead sponsor. Free parking is available at THS parking lot between the Allen Parkway and Dallas Street.