City History

Houston Was Founded in 1836 and Named After Sam Houston

The city of Houston was founded in 1836 by two brothers who bought land on Buffalo Bayou and named it after the hero of San Jacinto.

Harris County History & Culture

In 1836, brothers Augustus and John Allen bought land on Buffalo Bayou. They started the city and named it after General Sam Houston. Houston quickly became the county seat. It also served for a short time as the capital of the Republic of Texas.

Houston started as a small trading post. It grew thanks to cotton, then the Ship Channel, and then oil. Over the years, waves of new residents arrived — German settlers, Mexican and Tejano families, and large Black communities that grew after emancipation. Today Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse large cities in the United States.

Source to confirm: Texas State Historical Association – Houston, TX

More Harris County notes

Appraisal District

Who Sets Your Property Value in Harris County

The Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD) sets the taxable value of every property in the county each year.

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Property Tax Exemption

Homestead Exemption Can Cut Your Tax Bill in Harris County

Homeowners who live in their Harris County home as their primary residence can get a significant cut in their property tax bill through the homestead exemption.

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Property Tax Protest

You Can Fight Your Appraisal in Harris County

Harris County property owners have the right to protest their appraised value every year — and many do.

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Municipal Utility Districts

What a MUD Is — and Why It Matters in Harris County

Harris County has hundreds of Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) that provide water, sewer, and drainage to homes outside city limits.

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