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This Houston City Park, created in 1967, is on the site of Houston's first port, ocean-going ships, both steamers and sailing vessels, loaded and unloaded freight here, beginning with visit of the steamer "Laura," which docked on January 26, 1837. The farsighted Allen brothers, Augustus C. and John K., located their city here primarily because they considered Houston "the head of navigation" on Buffalo Bayou. Although shallow and winding, Buffalo Bayou contributed immeasurably to growth of Houston from its earliest days. The confluence of Buffalo and White Oak bayous provided a natural turning basin for the small ships of the day. The Port of Houston was officially established by the city on June 8, 1841. Over the years Houston has labored for deeper water. In 1910 the United States Congress adopted the "Houston Plan," whereby the navigation district and Federal government shared costs of dredging a ship channel from the Gulf to the present turning basin, 4.25 miles east of this point. This deep water channel brings the world's commerce to one of the largest ports in the nation. However, to this day barges move much freight on up the bayou to downtown Houston. |
