In a region larger than most U.S. states, east Texas encompasses an area from the Gulf of Mexico north to the Arkansas border. Historical landmarks from its rich past intermingle with modern-day marvels, from the Galveston waterfront to the state‘s oldest town. Protected wilderness areas quietly flourish, while the world still listens to Houston’s mission control during space flights.
Apollo Mission Control and Space Center Houston
- When Neil Armstrong first stepped on the moon in 1969, it was Apollo Mission Control at the Lyndon B. Johnson Manned Space Flight Center that broadcast his famous words around the world, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." About 25 miles southeast of Houston, the National Historic Landmark welcomes visitors to see where technical staff communicated with the astronauts from earth. The center coordinated all activities from launch and flight dynamics to crew activities and the lunar landing. The center handled all Apollo flights, as well as earlier Gemini missions. At nearby Space Center Houston, NASA’s visitor center, visitors can experience what it is like to "blast off." A tram tour takes visitors to other sights in the complex, including the center where current NASA flights are controlled.
Other Houston Landmarks
- Visitors have to travel no farther than downtown Houston to see historical landmarks. At Sam Houston Park, visitors can tour 10 structures including the Kellum-Noble house built in 1847. It is the oldest masonry house still occupying its original site. Other structures were brought to the park, highlighting different periods in Houston history, including an 1823 cedar log house and an early church. The Battleship Texas sits just southeast of Houston and is the first battleship to be transformed to a museum. Commissioned in 1914, the ship saw action in both world wars before it was permanently anchored near Houston in 1948. Soaring 570 feet, the nearby obelisk-like San Jacinto Monument marks the spot where Sam Houston and his men surprised Mexican forces in a major win for Texas independence. The adjacent San Jacinto Museum of History contains Texas and Mexican artifacts, artwork and weaponry.
Great Wall of Galveston
- A great hurricane destroyed most of Galveston in 1900, but it resulted in one of the city’s most famous landmarks, the Galveston seawall. The 17-foot-high wall extends for more than 10 miles along the Gulf of Mexico beachfront, and is known for biking and people-watching. The storm spared many commercial buildings downtown in an area known as The Strand. Now protected as a National Historic Landmark District, the area features late 19th century buildings, many now occupied by galleries and restaurants. Nearby, the Tall Ship Elissa welcomes visitors to explore an earlier-era, ocean-going ship. Built in 1877, the ship is fully operational and sails in the Gulf of Mexico annually.
Other East Texas Landmarks
- Huntsville lies northwest of Houston and is famous for a place that most people do not want to go -- the Texas State Penitentiary. But the Texas Prison Museum welcomes everyone and illustrates what life is like at the famous prison, the first in Texas. Artifacts include "old sparky," the electric chair used for executions, the gun that killed Bonnie and Clyde, and a prison cell mock-up. Visitors can also visit General Sam Houston’s original homestead. The famous Texan is also buried nearby. The oldest town in Texas lies farther north. Nacogdoches features several landmarks, including a railway depot and fire station. The Old University Building was built when Texas was an independent republic in 1845. Farther east near the Louisiana border, the Big Thicket National Preserve contains 10 distinct ecosystems from swamps and bayous to pine savannahs and sand hills.
