The Old Sixth Ward, one of Houston's most beloved historic neighborhoods, was settled in the mid-19th century. The principal developer was W.R. Baker, Houston mayor and president of the Houston & Texas Central Railroad, and many of the neighborhood's early residents were railroad workers who decorated their cottages with hand-cut Victorian ornamentation. Today, their homes make up one of the most intact 19th century neighborhoods in the city.

Join the Architecture Walks Program for our 90-minute docent-guided tour of the neighborhood, during which we'll discuss the area's development and its transition from a working-class area to the city's first protected historic district. Our stops will include the former homes of cosmetics queen Mary Kay Ash and famed boogie-woogie pianist Peck Kelly, the inspiration for the song "Beat Me, Daddy, Eight to the Bar." We'll also visit St. Joseph's Catholic Church, a neighborhood landmark that was rebuilt after the great storm of 1900.

Please note this is an exterior architecture tour only. The tour will not go inside any buildings. There are no public restrooms along the tour route.
 

TICKETS

Tickets will go on sale at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, August 13, in Old Sixth Ward Community Park, 1600 Lubbock Street. Admission is $10 for the general public ($7 for Preservation Houston members and students with valid ID). Those who walk, ride a bike or use public transit to get to the tour will receive a $2 discount. Children 11 years old and under are admitted free. Tickets may be charged to Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. The last tour group will leave just after 6 p.m. Advance reservations are not required for this tour.