P. O. Box 230183, Houston, Texas  77223-0183 * (713) 222-9255 * TourHouston@aol.com 

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Discover Houston Tours’ Neighborhood Bus Tours
Houston's Historic Wards: 3rd & 4th Wards
Saturday, March 15, 2008, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, December 20, 2008, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

In 1839, Houston’s 3,000 citizens occupied nine square miles divided into four political subdivisions called "wards."  Two aldermen were elected from each ward and, together with the mayor, made up the forerunner of today’s City Council.  As Houston grew in both population and land, two more wards were added, for a total of six.  In 1906, the form of government changed and eventually evolved into the system we know today. 

Why, then, do Houstonians still talk about "wards"?  On this Neighborhood Bus Tour, learn the answer to that question, as well as the history of the Third and Fourth wards, what is happening in the wards today, and what is being planned for their futures. 

This Neighborhood Bus Tour starts in Houston’s “Mother Ward” -- the Fourth Ward.  Learn about the Freedman’s Town Historic District and the Yates family as you walk on hand-laid brick streets past three early-20^th-century homes that have survived gentrification.  Hear about the future represented by the new High School for the Visual and Performing Arts and the city’s new African-American Library planned for the 1926 Gregory Institute building.

After a Dutch-treat lunch at This Is It! on West Gray, you’ll ride south through Midtown into today's Third Ward.  See where Beyonce’s record and apparel businesses are headquartered, learn the history of Trinity United Methodist Church from its unique stained-glass windows, and visit Project Row Houses and the Flower Man's House. 

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Start/End: Houston Visitors Center, City Hall, 901 Bagby Street. The entrance to the Visitors Center is on Walker Street between Bagby and Smith streets. 

Parking: $6.00 cash event parking in Theater District Garage No. 1 on Rusk Street between Smith and Bagby streets. There is no free, metered on-street parking in downtown on Saturdays until 6 p.m.

Registration: 9 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Tour starts promptly at 10 a.m.

Fee: $30/person. Includes on-board cold bottled water and sodas.

Lunch & Shopping: On your own.

There will be some walking and photo opportunities.

Limited seating available.

Reservations: Pre-paid reservations are required.  Walk-ins are accepted only if space is available.  Reserve your seat by calling (713) 222-9255 or emailing TourHouston@aol.com.  Be sure to include a callback number and the number of seats you wish to reserve.  Discover Houston Tours’ owner Sandra Lord will call you back to obtain your credit card information and to answer any questions you might have.

A waiting list will be created.

Handouts: You’ll receive lots of information about each neighborhood so that you can come back later and explore on your own.

Private Tours: Discover Houston Tours’ Neighborhood Bus Tours are also available for private groups.

Gift Certificates: Discover Houston Tours offers four-color Gift Certificates as a totally unique surprise for the person who has everything.

Information:  For more information and reservations, call (713) 222-9255, email TourHouston@aol.com, or access Discover Houston Tours’   Web site at www.DiscoverHoustonTours.com.