Five historic buildings in Houston were added to the protected landmark list Aug. 28.

In a nutshell

Houston City Council approved the five designations with the exception of council member Fred Flickinger who voted against the motion. The five landmarks include:

  • The Frank A. Watts House: 2529 Stanmore Drive, Houston
  • Menil House: 3363 San Felipe St., Houston
  • The Alexander Z. and Julia C. Hester House: 1703 W. St., Houston
  • Concord Missionary Baptist Church: 7506 N. Main St., Houston
  • Knapp Chevrolet Building: 1230 Houston Ave., Houston

According to the Houston Office of Preservation, protected landmarks and landmarks are historic properties that the city of Houston has officially recognized for their outstanding historical, cultural or architectural significance. There are currently over 35 landmarks and 192 protected landmarks in Houston.

Some context

To become a landmark, a building, structure or site must meet at least one of the eight listed criteria set by the Houston Archaeological and Historical Commission. Listed criteria includes how significant a site is related to its surrounding history, culture, community, architecture or resources.

If a structure is approved as a protected landmark, it becomes protected from demolition, eligible for historic tax exemption and allows the owner to reduce parking requirements by 40%.



Concord Missionary Baptist Church was founded in Houston’s Independence Heights in 1917. The surviving structure is now a protected landmark. (Cassandra Jenkins/Community Impact)

More details

Applications listed in the Aug. 28 agenda packet share details on why each structure is significant to Houston.

  • Concord Missionary Baptist Church was founded in Houston’s Independence Heights in 1917. It is one of the few surviving church structures that serves the Independence Heights.
  • Built in 1949, Menil House is cited to be a key monument in the history and understanding of the 20th century modernist culture.
  • The Knapp Chevrolet Building opened in 1940 as a showroom for automobiles. The building’s front facade reflects Chevrolet’s industrial identity in the Art Moderne characteristic.
  • Constructed in 1934, the Watts House was designed by well-known architect Cameron Fairchild, who designed all five of the dwellings that surround the first of the River Oaks Courts on Stanmore Drive.
  • Hester House was built in 1903 for cotton sampler Alexander Hester and his wife, Julia Hester. Julia, according to the landmark application, was a teacher and devoted community leader who opened the home to provide for children in need.

What they are saying

Current owner of Hester House, Marlene Weekely spoke to the council in June regarding her application for protected landmark status.

“I fell in love with this home because of its charming beauty,” she said. “It’s always felt like a special place to me, but it wasn’t until September of last year that I found out how special it was.”



Weekely said she wants the house to be protected because of its historical community significance and its architectural style, which is a raised Queen Anne cottage.

“I feel fortunate to live in a house with such beautiful history and I feel it’s my privilege and my duty to preserve their legacy and home,” she said.