Saturday, July 29, 2017 • Page 1B
Carter & Cooley put Heights on the Map In 1886 Oscar Martin Carter, a self-made millionaire who had business interests in Nebraska and Colorado, brought to Houston his utopian vision for the 20th century. Carter’s dream was to build a new type of town, a planned community where people could live and work in health and safety. Houston was a city plagued by yellow fever and devastating annual floods. Carter chose the Heights as an ideal spot for his new community. Houston Heights, with an elevation 23 feet higher than downtown Houston, a natural sandy soil, rich vegetation, mature trees, and artesian water sources, promised a sanctuary of health and well-being. Carter convinced his Eastern investors that
Houston was destined for growth and the ideal place to invest heavily. Carter attracted his corps of investors who set up the Omaha and South Texas Land Company. Not only did they invest, but many also lived in this utopian city. The company purchased 1,756 acres of land and made over $500,000 worth of improvements, including utilities, streets and alleys, as well as parks and schools. The blocks were carefully arranged, along with the planting of trees and natural features that now line the streets. Along with his other accomplishments, Carter built a commercial strip at 19th and Ashland to serve the new residents. D. D. Cooley came to Houston
in 1890 as the general manager in charge of development for the Omaha and South Texas Land Company. Cooley owned and lived in one of the first residences built on Heights Boulevard; he was also one of the original group of investors in the Houston Heights. His home, built in 1893, was to serve as an example of the type of house to be built on the Boulevard. The Cooley family was extremely active socially; Mrs. Cooley even doPhoto courtesy of Garden Oaks Home owners Association nated the land where the Houston Shown here is the intersection of 34th and Ella, which serves as a sort of gateway from Heights Woman’s Club was erected Garden Oaks/Oak Forest into the Heights. in 1912. Education was of foremost importance to Cooley, and he was instrumental in establishing some This story is reprinted with permission from the Houston Heights Association. of the first schools in the Heights, Visit their website at www.houstonheights.org. including one for black children.
See More Founders P. 6B
The History of the Carter & Cooley Deli honors Houston Heights founders and history of 19th from New Orleans and the Spanish began to vie for control of the The decade of the 1890s was an region. At that time, the area that exciting period of development for included much of Houston Heights Americans. Towns were becoming was controlled by Chief Canos of cities; cities were expanding. This the Orcoquisacs. Chief Canos sucwas especially true in Texas, where cessfully played the two European speculators were drawn from other powers against one another for states. The Houston area attracted many years. O.M. Carter had convinced his thousands of these adventurers, and it was in this climate that Hous- eastern investors that Houston was destined for growth and the ton Heights began. As early as 1886, Oscar Martin ideal place to invest heavily. Not Carter, a self-made millionaire who only did Carter realize that Houshad business interests in Nebraska ton would attract major industries and Colorado, brought to Houston and thus experience. Population a utopian vision for the approaching growth due to the jobs created by twentieth type of town, a planned those industries, but he planned for community where successful en- many of the industries to locate in trepreneurs and working people his planned development. He also knew that there would be a great need for housing and he wanted his development to provide the opportunity for home ownership. Carter’s vision included a transportation system that would bring passengers four miles from Houston to his planned community, a considerable distance The year was 1953 and the Heights Theater was in those days. However, showing the movie, ‘The Farmer Takes a Wife.’ in 1890, when most citThe Heights Theater opened its doors in 1929 and ies the size of Houston even today remains a focal point on West 19th. already had electric alike could live and work, in health streetcar lines, Houston only had and safety, as neighbors. Compared two mule-drawn systems. He arto Houston, a city plagued by yel- ranged for the purchase and eleclow fever and devastating annual trification of both systems, thus floods, Carter chose the ideal spot guaranteeing electric streetcars to for his new community. Houston Houston Heights. His investment Heights, with an elevation 23 feet gave potential investors the confihigher than downtown Houston, a dence to believe in his dream and natural sandy soil, rich vegetation, invest in his totally planned commature trees and artesian water munity. It was also a very profitable sources, promised a sanctuary of venture, since the city was destined for tremendous growth as well. health and well being. By 1891, Carter attracted a corps The land O.M. Carter and his Omaha and South Texas Land of investors who set up the Omaha Company developed had long been and South Texas Land Company. an important area to the city of He even convinced some of them Houston. This section of South- to give not just their money, but eastern Texas was first inhabited to live their lives in his utopian by Indians of the Coastal Plains. city. Carter recognized the desire of Although a Spaniard had visited the growing middle class to move the area in the early 16th century, it See Heights P. 2B was not until 1745 that the French For The Leader
Kim Hogstrom For The Leader
There are a number of cool neighborhoods in Houston, and this local paper enjoys its fair share of readers in many of them. Our communities are coveted for good reasons, but it’s the restoration of the Houston Heights that catapulted the northside into the full-blown coolness category. One of the foremost business pioneers in that effort was Carter & Cooley Company Delicatessen on 19th Street, now approaching its 30th year of calling the Heights, home. In the 1970s and 1980s the Heights had decayed. “The first time I saw 19th Street, I was in shock. It was all boarded up,” stated Neil Sackheim, owner of Carter & Cooley Company Delicatessen. This early trailblazer in the resurgence bought the old Simon Lewis Building at 375 W. 19th St. and Ashland in 1988. It was a big risk at the time, but he dove in. When Sackheim made his commitment to the structure, it was shuttered and dilapidated. He then set out on a 6month restoration. The building originally housed Ward’s Drugstore and its charming soda fountain from 1921, when it was constructed, until 1965. It was locked that year and remained empty for 23 years until Sackheim stepped up. “In the beginning, I wasn’t sure that our business would survive in the Heights,” Sackheim stated. ”It was kind of a ‘Build it, and they will come,’ thing. I didn’t know if it would work, but I knew there were many people who wanted to live close to downtown and, like me, had a passion for old architecture. The Heights was the first planned community in Texas and I was hoping that others with the same love of older properties would see its potential.” By the time Ward’s closed, drugstores had became antiseptic; they ceased to be the social gathering places of prior decades. Sackheim restored his building by reviving many of the original elements that made the drugstore the center of social activity in the Heights, elements that contributed to
Artwork supplied Owner Neil Sackheim named Carter & Cooley Company Delicatessen after the famous Houston Heights business pioneers. The deli launched in April 1989.
the feeling of a gathering place. “We restored the big windows and the transoms. We uncovered the original pressed tin ceiling. Then we decorated in a manner that reflected the original drugstore, with old photos on the walls. It all contributes to our ambiance today,” he stated. Sackheim chose the name “Carter & Cooley’” in honor of the founders of the Heights, Oscar Martin Carter (1842See Deli P. 6B
The old Simon Lewis Building originally housed Ward’s Drugstore from 1921 until 1965, which later was restored to be home to Carter & Cooley Company Delicatessen today. (Photo on left supplied, photo on right by Landan Kuhlmann)
Bells MyOwn Cleaners
Those were the days at Adolf Hoepfl
Dry Cleaning ServiCe
71 years of great sevice & friendships
71 Years of continuous service
Adolf Hoepfl & Son Garage ad circa early 1980’s
from our family to yours
Bells My Own Cleaners was established in 1946 by Charles “Papa” Bell in the Woodland Heights at the corner of White Oak and Sabine. The Bell Family has been proudly serving our community for 71 years. We thank you for your patronage. 2 locations to serve
1362 West 43rd 713-680-8404
2908 Fulton 713-227-5461
Eugene and Virginia Hoepfloriginal owners
Adolf Hoepfl Garage circa 1946
Adolf Hoepfl & Son Garage was founded in 1946 and is a third generation family-run business owned by Sybren and Kathryn van der Pol. Each of our technicians has at least 20 years experience and is an outstanding professional of our industry. We guarantee all our work at least 12 months on parts and labor. We’re certified by AAA of Texas, members of the Better Business Bureau and the Greater Heights Area Chamber of Commerce. We are also recognized by the State of Texas as an emissions repair Kathryn & Sybren van der Pol facility.
Adolf Hoepfl & Son Garage Mon - Fri 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Sat 8:00 am - 4:00pm
Current owners
4610 N Shepherd • 713 695-5071
www.AdolfHoepfl.com