DOWNTOWN HOUSTON

Located near Buffalo Bayou in Houston, are many of the buildings and sites that have entered into Houston's history. These are centered of course around the Main Wharf or Allen's Landing, as it was once called. It was in this vicinity that the Allen Brothers first landed in 1836 to establish a town. Shallow-draft boats were used to transport goods to and from Houston, via Buffalo Bayou, the San Jacinto River and Galveston Bay. In time, the eastern end of Buffalo Bayou would be dredged out and widened, creating the Houston Ship Channel to accomodate ocean-going vessels. Today, the old Main Wharf is accessible from Commerce Street. It is recommended that all downtown sites be visited on the weekend or on a holiday to avoid the heavy traffic in the area during normal business days.

IS DOWNTOWN HOUSTON HAUNTED?

In most cities the oldest part of each has a haunted building or two, but apparently Houston has a lot of them. Many of these are found within a few blocks of Allen's Landing on Commerce Street.

POSSIBLY THE MOST HAUNTED BUILDING IN HOUSTON

Located on Commerce Street just a block away from the Main Wharf is possibly the most haunted building in the city of Houston. Today, it is occupied by the Spaghetti Warehouse and has been for many years. There have been many reports of unusual activity within its walls, one of which involved a manager for Spaghetti Warehouse. Nobody is allowed to work alone inside the building, day or night! Many years ago, the building housed a pharmaceutical company. In 1930, an employee, possibly the owner, was killed when he fell down the elevator shaft. Some believe the entities are forms of his ghost, returning to run people out of a building that he considers to be rightfully his. One report states that a contract worker, assigned to do a job inside the building, ran out exclaiming that he would never return to that building. He didn't bother to pick up his tools. He refused to re-enter the building at all!

THE BREWERY TAP

Located in the old section of downtown Houston is the Brewery Tap and the Magnolia Ballroom. The old brewery was established in the late 1800s and originally consisted of several buildings. Among their products were Magnolia Beer, Southern Select and Richeleiu. During the Prohibition Era, the owner and manager was said to have been killed by the mafia for not brewing alcohol. The brewery closed in 1950. It is said the owner's ghost haunts the building.

LA CARAFE

In 1842 Irishman John Kennedy arrived in Houston. He opened a bakery at another location and prospered. In 1860, he commissioned the building of this building. This is one of the oldest buildings in Houston and it sits on its original location. There are claims that the building is haunted by a former bartender and the lady in the picture that hangs on the first floor of the establishment. Their ghosts have been seen looking out the upstairs windows, according to some.

HOUSTON'S DOWNTOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY (the Julia Ideson Library)

The Houston Library was opened on this site on March 2, 1902. The building was built using $50,000 from philanthropist, Andrew Carnagie and funds raised by local business men and women. It is said to be haunted by a violin-playing, former night janitor who just wants to entertain you! He has never hurt anyone, if fact, has only scared very few! People have reported hearing his violin late at night and in the stillness of early morning.

THE SWEENEY, COOMBS AND FREDERICKS BUILDING

Constructed in 1861, this building started off as the Van Alstyne Building, later it was purchased by the jewelry firm, Sweeney, Coombs and Fredricks. After the purchase, it was put through an upgrade to increase floorspace and to improve its facade. The remodeling took place in the 1880s and still stands today as it was remodeled. Today, it is an antique standing between two modern parking garages on Fannin Street.

THE MECOM FOUNTAIN

The Mecom Fountain is one of Houston's most recognizable landmarks. It is located in the traffic circle at Main St. and Montrose Blvd.

STATUE OF SAM HOUSTON

The statue of General Sam Houston is located in Herman Park on Herman Circle.