- Title: Houston Belt & Terminal Ry. Co. Map of Houston & Ship Channel Office of Chief Engineer April 2nd 1920
- Author: Houston Belt & Terminal Ry. Co. Office of Chief Engineer
- Date: April 2nd, 1920
- Condition: Excellent - age related toning, creased at folds
- Inches: 34 x 11 [Image]
- Centimeters: 86.36 x 27.94 [Image]
- Product ID: 308352
Pivotal Era in Houston’s Industrial Development
Cadastral map with highly detailed residential and commercial details, including the central business district, Houston Heights and the ephemeral development known as Brunsville. Bounded to the east by the Chambers County line, western development extends to the community of Bellaire, beyond which land remains in a pastoral state, with fortunes yet to be made due to the proximity of a booming Houston economy. Bold shaded red line Shows Ideal Industrial Locations. The line is prescient, predicting Buffalo Bayou as the locus for industrial development, a hallmark of Houston today. Bold logos of the Santa Fe Railroad, GULF COAST LINES and the VALLEY ROAD dominate the upper right center. Extensive railroad depictions as well as main thoroughfares and arterial transport lines. An absolute treasure trove depicting the history of early twentieth century Houston railroad and industrial development. Scale 1/75,000.
Houston Industrial Development in the 1920’s
In the 1920s, the Houston Ship Channel emerged as a transformative force in Houston's industrial and economic landscape. Originally a shallow waterway, Buffalo Bayou was dredged into a deep-water port by 1914, enabling larger vessels to navigate the channel and connecting Houston to global trade networks. This development spurred rapid industrialization along the channel's banks, with oil refineries, factories, and petrochemical plants taking advantage of the proximity to deep water, fresh water, and abundant natural gas. The oil boom of the 1920s further fueled this growth, as refining capacity expanded to meet rising demand for internal combustion vehicles.
The port also became a hub for exports such as cotton and grain. By the end of the decade, Houston led U.S. ports in cotton trade and ranked second globally. New facilities like grain elevators were built to accommodate increased trade volumes. The Ship Channel's success was driven by visionary civic leaders like Tom Ball and Jesse H. Jones, who championed its creation through innovative financing and advocacy. By 1930, over 2,100 ships passed through the channel annually, carrying millions of tons of cargo, solidifying Houston's position as a major commercial and industrial hub on both national and international stages.
Background on Author
The Houston Belt and Terminal Railway Company (HB&T) is still a significant commercial entity in Houston, Texas, with a history spanning over a century. The company was incorporated on August 31, 1905, and was initially owned by four railroads: the Trinity and Brazos Valley Railway Company, the Beaumont, Sour Lake and Western Railway Company, the St. Louis, Brownsville and Mexico Railway Company, and the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway Company. As of 2021, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway owned 50% of the company's shares.
The HB&T provides terminal and switching services in Houston, owns industrial property in the city, and constructed and operated Houston's Union Station, which opened in 1910. The company built a belt line around Houston to facilitate interchange among different railroads. Construction of the HB&T began in 1906 or 1907, and the company played a crucial role in Houston's growth as a commercial hub. It was involved in significant legal disputes, including a case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Today, the HB&T continues to operate as a terminal and switching railroad and is still covered by the Railroad Retirement Act as of 2023. It is part of the Port Terminal Railroad Association (PTRA), which further enhances its role in the city's railroad infrastructure. The company's archives from 1905 to 1936 are held by History Colorado, and it has contributed significantly to Houston's railroad infrastructure and commercial development over the years.
Rarity
Exceedingly Rare. No auction or dealer records for this map. OCLC lists no other examples.