Member Since: 24/01/2008
Band Members: R.I.P. MY BROTHER FELIPE SOTO JR./LUIS JESUS LOPEZ/FERMIEN....
Sounds Like: The Birthplace of Free TexasWith a population of about 125,000, Pasadena is often recognized for its strong industrial base and for its tremendous success in early years as an agricultural area and the present home of the Strawberry Festival. However, many people overlook one of the most important elements of our city's rich heritage. Pasadena is the actual birthplace of Free Texas. That very important fact along with the other significant events in our past, make Pasadena what it is today.The first inhabitants of the area are believed to be the cannibalistic Karankawa Indians, who lived throughout the Gulf coast region. However, it was Spanish explorers who named the vast area after the East Texas Indians, the Tejas. Settlers began moving to the area in the early 1800s. The settlers eventually revolted against their Spanish government in 1821 and formed an area known as Mexico. The present state of Texas was included in the area.Stephen F. Austin is responsible for a great deal of the colonization which took place throughout Tejas during the 1820s. The settlers he brought with him were very independent. And, once they declared war against Mexico on November 7, 1835, it was that same strong sense of pride which rendered them victorious six months later. The historic Battle of San Jacinto was fought at the junction of the San Jacinto River and Buffalo Bayou on April 21, 1836. And it was at the junction of Vince and Buffalo bayous - which is now Pasadena - that Mexico's General Santa Anna was captured and Texas earned its independence.The city of Houston was founded in 1836, as well. Local residents worked toward developing Buffalo Bayou as a major seaport and the railroad emerged upon Texas in the mid-1800s. The Pasadena area remained an open prairie with scattered use by cattlemen until the construction of the La Porte and Northern Railroad introduced the area to new settlement. In 1892, Simeon West platted his town of Deer Park. And in the same year, Colonel J.H. Burnett established the town of Deepwater, which is now part of Pasadena. Burnett founded Genoa a year later and platted Pasadena itself in 1895.Development in the area moved at a rather slow pace. However, the farmers and other settlers in the area had established a very solid foundation with religion and education as very high priorities. Pasadena ISD was founded in 1898 and was the first independent school district in Harris County.Then, the 1900 hurricane, the period's worst recorded disaster, changed the course of history for the area. As frightened settlers moved inland from Galveston, the Houston Seaport flourished. Since farming provided a good life for those in the area, Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, sent strawberry plants to the region to help those who had lost so much and migrated to the area.Clara Barton's strawberries turned into a very profitable gift. This quick cash crop made the area famous. And, as the fruit was shipped commercially, Pasadena was recognized across the country for its sweet, tasty strawberries.The 1900 storm also initiated the shift from agriculture to industry as the driving force in the local economy. People preferred the benefits of a regular paycheck to that of seasonal work and the population continued to grow. And, in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the World Port of Houston officially open and Buffalo Bayou was renamed the Houston Ship Channel. Large plants began locating there. J.S. Cullinan, president of a company now known as Texaco, opened his headquarters and declared Houston the "Energy Capital." Other large plants also chose to locate along the channel, including Arco, Crown Central Refinery, Champion Paper Co. and Houston Lighting & Power.The 1930s brought the threat of war and the area represented the industrial front for our European allies. Meanwhile, Pasadena had continued to expand, encompassing Deepwater and surrounding areas. It had developed a strong educational, religious and governmental base, as well as a solid workforce.During World War II, Pasadena's population increased seven-fold, compared to Houston's rate of 1.5 percent. The ship channel was a center of activity for refining, chemical manufacturing, ship building and exporting. Strawberries were still a major contributor to the economy. The growth continued to expand with a new downtown area making its way along Southmore Street from Main to Richey. Pasadena also found itself in an annexation battle with the city of Houston. However, rather than concede to the growing metropolis, the people and government of Pasadena took a stand. They established borders stretching from Galveston Bay to Clear Lake, which is where they remain today.Presently, Pasadena is still a very prosperous area. The city has focused its attention on the quality of life for local residents, holding on to the elements which tell the story of its rich history.---------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------If you would like to further research the interesting history of Pasadena and its people, you're sure to enjoy C. David Pomeroy Jr.'s web page Pasadena, The Early Years. As a fourth generation Pasadenan, Mr. Pomeroy is recognized as a leading authority on this and other related topics. San Jacinto College's photo history collection is also worth exploring, available online here.
Type of Label: Major