AUSTIN, Texas – Houston's Commerce Street Warehouse Historic District was recently listed in the National Register of Historic Places; noted for its historical and architectural significance, the district joins other properties around the state with National Register status. 

Established along Houston's primary commercial thoroughfare in the shadow of Buffalo Bayou, the district physically documents Houston's transformation from a coastal community of barely 20,000 people into one of the nation’s largest industrial and distribution hubs, and the most populated city in Texas.  

Beginning in 1882 with the railroad and accelerating after the 1901 Spindletop oil strike near Beaumont, Houston's economy and population boomed as oil companies established headquarters in the city and refineries sprouted along the Ship Channel.  

But it was the deepening of Buffalo Bayou to accommodate oceangoing vessels in 1914 that cemented Houston's status as a world-class port, spurring the construction of warehouses, factories, and distribution centers throughout downtown. Commerce Street, with its direct access to railroad spurs and water transportation, became a vital conduit from the industrial district where goods were loaded and shipped to the rest of the country. 

The district provides a showcase of Houston's warehouse construction technology in the early 20th century, illustrating an evolution from traditional brick load-bearing walls with heavy timber frames to innovative reinforced concrete construction with large industrial windows. Though much of the larger warehouse district has been demolished due to highway construction and urban redevelopment, seven buildings remain as the last intact remnant of Houston's historic railyard and shipping district, their loading docks and broad interior spaces still eloquent testimony to an era when this corner of downtown was the beating heart of the nation's petrochemical trade.  

Some of the most significant structures in the district include: 

  •  The 1910 National Biscuit Company Building (15 Chenevert St.), features distinctive off-white terracotta and brick accents surrounding its main entry arch and originally served as a manufacturing facility producing baked goods for regional markets.  
  • The 1911 Eller Wagon Works Building  (101 Crawford St.) exemplifies early 20th-century industrial design and retains its original concrete loading dock.  
  • The 1920 and 1929 Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company additions, designed by renowned architect Alfred C. Finn, feature distinctive Neoclassical detailing including parapet cartouches that characterize his practice.  

The National Register of Historic Places is the nation's official list of cultural resources deemed worthy of preservation. Authorized under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Register is part of a federal program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect the country's historic and archeological resources. The National Register includes more than 3,300 listings in Texas. Listing provides access to technical expertise and grant funds to facilitate restoration and preservation. Income-producing properties are also eligible for federal tax benefits for sympathetic rehabilitation work. 

To learn more about the National Register of Historic Places, contact the THC's History Programs Division at 512-463-5853 or visit thc.texas.gov.