We took a look at boarded up, unloved and vanished buildings in the Bayou City. We’re big on tearing down and starting over with shiny new construction, but is all of Houston’s architectural history destined for obsolescence?

Photos via CC by Patrick Feller, J E Theriot, Justin A. Wilcox, Daniel Hartwig, Jenn, Matthew Rutledge, Ed T, Abrahรกn Garza, Ed Schipul and courtesy of the Texas Historical Commission.

  • hou_news_holt_building_photo_by_patrick_feller.webp
    Holt building, taken on April 7, 2017.
  • hou_news_freedman_s_town_photo_by_j_e_theriot.webp
    Freedmen’s Town
  • hou_news_downtown_circa_1986_photo_by_patrick_feller.webp
    This photo from 1986 was most likely taken near downtown Houston, or east around Canal and Navigation.
  • hou_news_photo_by_justin_a._wilcox.webp
    Photo taken in Houston April, 2009.
  • hou_news_peden_warehouse_and_jail_photo_by_patrick_feller.webp
    Peden Warehouse (Iron Mountain warehouse) at 700 North San Jacinto near the county jail; photo taken February, 2010. Now demolished.
  • hou_news_photo_by_jenn.webp
    These homes were loved once; you can tell by the paint. Photo taken February, 2007.
  • hou_news_former_houston_chronicle_building_photo_by_patrick_feller.webp
    The former Houston Chronicle building downtown, demolished, taken on April 1, 2017.
  • hou_news_photo_by_daniel_hartwig.webp
    Photo of photographer’s father in Houston circa 1963.
  • hou_news_national_biscuit_company_photo_by_patrick_feller.webp
    This photo from 1986 is of the now demolished National Biscuit Company at 1700 Commerce.
  • hou_news_photo_by_matthew_rutledge.webp
    North Houston, photo taken August, 2009.
  • hou_news_freedmen_s_town_photo_by_patrick_feller.webp
    Freedmen’s Town, near Cushing and Cleveland, photo taken September, 2014.
  • hou_news_ymca_building_photo_by_ed_t.webp
    The old YMCA building in downtown Houston. Photo taken June, 2011.
  • hou_news_united_states_appraisers_stores_photo_by_patrick_feller.webp
    Built in 1939, this photo of the United States Appraisers Stores building at 7300 Wingate was taken in May, 2012.
  • hou_news_bethel_missionary_photo_by_ed_t.webp
    This photo of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in the Fourth Ward was taken in September, 2012.
  • hou_news_allen_paul_house.png
    The Allen Paul house at 2201 Fannin is gone, but it’s famous “Witch’s Hat” turret lives on as a gazebo in a new park at 901 Sawyer.
  • hou_news_macy15sept23_photo_by_abrahan_garza.webp
    Macy’s, also known as the old Foley’s building, was demolished on September 22, 2013. And we’ve got video to prove it.
  • hou_news_astrodome_photo_by_ed_schipul.webp
    Our beloved Astrodome is like a devoted dog, waiting patiently for some love and attention.
  • hou_news_freedmen_s_town_1_photo_by_patrick_feller.webp
    A relocated shotgun house on Robin Street in Freedmen’s Town. Photo taken September, 2014.
  • hou_news_timmons_and_richmond_photo_by_ed_schipul.webp
    That’s a lot of concrete in this demolition scene at the old HISD building at Timmons and Richmond. Photo taken September, 2006.
  • hou_news_houston_lighting_power_photo_by_patrick_feller.webp
    The old Houston Lighting & Power power plant on McKee. Photo taken June, 2009; since demolished.

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