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Houston, Texas is a senior vacation destination famous for its NASA Spacecraft Center and the Astrodome.

Houston TX History

Real estate developers John and Augustus Allen founded the city of Houston in 1836 at the edge of Buffalo Bayou, a small stream. The name Houston was chosen to honor General Sam Houston, hero of the fight for Texas independence. In 1837, the city incorporated and became the capital of the Republic of Texas until 1840.

Texas became a U.S. state in 1846, but later seceded from the Union in 1861. In 1870, Texas was re-admitted to the Union following the Civil War. That year, the U.S. Congress designated Houston as a port city and proposed the creation of a shipping channel. Houston’s 25-foot deep shipping channel was completed in 1914. In the 1920’s and 30’s, many oil refineries were built along the shipping channel to take advantage of inexpensive waterborne shipping. By the Depression, there were 40 oil companies operating from Houston. During World War II, shipbuilding spurred Houston's growth.

In 1962, NASA built a Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston. The Astrodome, the first indoor domed sports stadium of its kind, opened in 1965.

Houston Texas – Popular Tourist Destination & Retirement Area

Today, Houston Texas is a major medical, commercial, and financial hub, the center of the U.S. aerospace industry and a deep-water port connected with Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The city is also a popular tourist destination and growing retirement area for seniors.