The Houston Chronicle Building

Origins

Marcellus E. Foster, a former Houston Post reporter, created the Houston Chronicle in 1901 using Spindletop investment returns. A controversial figure in his day due to his vocal anti-KKK position, the Chronicle saw major success during his quarter-century leadership reign.

In 1926, he sold the company to Houston politician and entrepreneur, Jesse H. Jones for a whopping $300,000 ($5 million today). The Houston Chronicle remained in the Jones family even after Jesse’s death in 1956, with ownership passing to his nephew, John T. Jones.

John T. Jones remained at the helm until the introduction of politics and leadership changes that he did not agree with in 1965. Leadership then transitioned to J. Howard Creekmore, President of the Chronicle’s parent company. The Hearst Corporation purchased the company in 1987.

106 years in downtown Houston

The building was constructed in 1910 on the site of the Shearn Memorial Church. The Houston Chronicle headquarters would remain at the site for over 100 years.

The headquarters originally consisted of the following buildings:

• the main 10-story building (1910)
• the Majestic Theatre (1910)
• Chamber of Commerce building (1918)

You can see them in the photo below, with the Chronicle building visible on the far right.

Eventually, the 3-building complex grew into a sprawling campus that encompassed the entire block. The campus underwent a remodeling that wrapped it in a modern, uniform facade that drastically changed the appearance.

Sadly, the original campus was demolished in 2016 and the Houston Chronicle moved their headquarters to 4747 SW Freeway. The block is now occupied by the Texas Tower.