River Oak’s Heritage – Houston, TX
One of Houston’s grandest neighborhoods had rather humble beginnings and might never have taken off but for the vision and endurance of special people.
In 1920, Thomas Ball and others bought 375 acres in the country west of town to build a private golf club whose members could buy lots south of the course. They commissioned young architect John Staub to design the clubhouse and paved the street now known as River Oaks Boulevard from Westheimer to the club.
In the beginning, River Oaks was meant to be no more than a club flanked by weekend homes. Although not far from downtown, no roads led to it, so it seemed remote. But, in 1923, riding through woods near the club, Mike Hogg and Hugh Potter saw its potential and over the next three years, along with Mike’s brother, Will, bought all surrounding land, ultimately acquiring 1,100 acres.
Their master plan included well-designed infrastructures, parks, esplanades, a 15-acre school campus, and two shopping centers. It also included exacting, enforceable deed restrictions calling for underground utilities, rigid building codes, centralized community control and few intersecting streets.
Recognizing the importance of a first impression, they commissioned Staub to design gateways at neighborhood entrances signaling the gracious lifestyle to be found within. They also charged Staub, Birdsall Briscoe, Sam Dixon, and Joseph Northrop with designing several homes which sold quickly. Still, many thought the area too far in the country.
Undaunted and committed to their plan, Will, Mike, and their sister, Ima, chose a 14-acre site along Buffalo Bayou to build their family estate, Bayou Bend. Ima and Staub collaborated on its 22-room mansion, and she and landscape architect C. Pat Fleming designed its now famous surrounding gardens. Inspired, many other prominent Houstonians began building homes and, with this, the River Oaks that has since become legend was finally born.
Now, stately mansions decorate not only its namesake boulevard but the graceful avenues that branch out to complete it. From these beginnings, its distinction as Houston’s premier address has been meticulously cultivated and River Oaks remains the crown jewel of real estate in Houston.
