Frenchtown: Where the gumbo was hot and the accents were thick
Frenchtown Origins On November 7, 1947, Sigman Byrd took his readers on a stroll to Frenchtown, a Creole-French neighborhood to…
Byrd Watching
Month: July 2020
Uncovering Houston
Jefferson’s Gulf Service Station on Chocolate Bayou Road
This young man is Clerch Edgar Jefferson and he was the owner of the fine establishment in the photo, which…
Uncovering Houston
Elbert Terry: The Sunnyside American Dream
The only time Houston’s historic neighborhood of Sunnyside comes up in conversation nowadays is if the topic of discussion is…
Uncovering Houston
A Celebration of Freedom on Lyons Avenue
I was flipping through some historical archives and came across some fascinating photos of a Juneteenth parade in Houston. The…
Uncovering Houston
The Home of John Henry “Jack” Yates: A Testament to the Indomitable Spirit and Perseverance of the Formerly Enslaved
John Henry “Jack” Yates was born into slavery on July 11, 1828 in Virginia. His parents, Robert and Rachel Yates,…
Byrd Watching
At Del Monico Spaghetti House, your plate comes with a side of bibs
We’ve all been at a restaurant that serves big, messy meals and managed to make a mess at our table.…
Uncovering Houston
Tony Russo’s Grocery Shop
This interesting building at 1620 Edwards St. demanded my immediate attention during a late-night bike ride through Houston’s Old 6th…
Byrd Watching
“Misty” Howard: The Travis Street Magician With A Mean Sleight of Hand
In the October 6, 1947 printing of The Stroller, Sigman Byrd introduces his readers to “Misty Howard,” a talented magician…