The Art Deco Features of Buildings in Houston and Nearby Towns by Lachlan Finlayson
As the largest state in the USA, it’ll come as no surprise to hear that Texas has multiple areas with fine examples of surviving Art Deco architecture. During a recent trip to Houston, I was able to travel to numerous places built during the period, located on the outskirts of the city and in nearby towns. These varied in form and purpose, including offices, residential buildings, public infrastructure and recreational facilities.
Many of these spaces are open to the public and often the current occupants are knowledgeable and welcoming to visitors. The buildings I visited appear to be well maintained, mostly in use and -most importantly -appreciated by the locals. Below are some highlights.
Liberty County Courthouse, Liberty Texas
The town of Liberty, some 45 miles west of Houston, has had many courthouses over the decades. The current building is the seventh and is still in use today. It was built between 1929 and 1931 in the Moderne style which was becoming popular at the time. The design was by the architects Cornell Curtis and A. E. Thomas, who designed several courthouses in Texas. The main construction material is Texas Cordova Limestone. The courthouse has an impressive frontage; columned, with Art Deco decorative features. These are also replicated on two sides of the main building. The strong geometric lines of the building are in keeping with the decorative Art Deco style depicting western, patriotic, agricultural, and industrial themes.
Of particular note are the stylized reliefs of American eagles above each main entrance as well as smaller reliefs depicting local plants, cattle, wagon trains and of course, numerous Texas ‘Lone’ stars. An historical marker in Art Deco style depicts a Native American, superimposed on a Lone Star and local plants. This marker is in excellent condition and may be a recent addition to the grounds of the courthouse. Although the building was in use during my visit, the security guards were friendly and welcoming, allowing me to photograph in public spaces apart from in-session courtrooms.
Tarver Abstract Company Building, Liberty Texas
Across Main Street from the Courthouse is the Tarver Abstract Company building. This three-story building originally housed the First Liberty National Bank when completed in 1931. External construction again features Texas Cordova Limestone and combines a vertical linearity with attractive Art Deco decorative reliefs including, once again, American eagles. Original photographs show the building was once even more impressive with the limestone linear features of the first level extending to ground level. Today the ground level is largely a more standard awning and office entranceway.
Old Liberty Post Office, Liberty Texas
Nearby in Liberty is the Old Post Office which was built with a federal loan provided for a series of new government buildings in the mid to late 1930s. It comprises a single-story building with granite steps and an attractive sandstone frontage. Decorative Art Deco styled wheat motifs are depicted about the front entrance and windows. The building, now used as commercial office space, once housed a mural – one of many funded by the ‘New Deal’ to beautify Post Offices throughout the state – with images of local culture, history and industry. Entitled ‘The Story of the Big Fish’ by the artist Howard Fischer, it was installed in 1939. The artwork is now located in the new Liberty Post Office, perhaps a location to visit during my next trip to Texas!
San Jacinto Monument, Harris County, Texas
The San Jacinto Monument is a 173m column topped with a 220-ton star and is located some 15 miles east of downtown Houston. The monument commemorates the site of the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. The monument was built between 1936 and 1939 by the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal agency providing Public Works projects and employment during and after the Great Depression of the 1930s. Architect Alfred C. Finn provided the final design, in conjunction with engineer Robert J. Cummins. The monument is primarily constructed of reinforced concrete with an exterior of once again, Texas Cordova Limestone. In this case the limestone nicely depicts its marine origins with the fossil imprint of shells clearly visible.
The lowermost part of the monument consists of eight carved panels, depicting the history of the Battle of San Jacinto as well as Texas culture, business and heritage. These illustrations, designed by William McVey, exhibit strong Art Deco stylistic features with simple, minimal lines depicting people, activity and events. Below the panels, at the entry-level to the monument, are walls of carved text describing the story of the birth of Texas. Numerous Art Deco features are present at this level including a curvilinear decorative motif about the text and doorways. The ‘Six Flags of Texas’ are also depicted at the bronze entranceway to the internal Museum.
Brunson Theater, Baytown, Texas
Although slightly outside the Art Deco Inter-War years, the Brunson Theater in Baytown, some 25 miles south-east of Houston, nevertheless exhibits some particularly attractive Art Deco features. The building was designed by architect Leon Kyburz and was opened in 1949.
The front of the building consists of brick end panels and a central expanse of limestone fluting, bisected by the theater’s vertically aligned sign. The brick panels are fitted with decorative limestone reliefs by artist Rudolph Wagner. These pay tribute to the sources of Baytown’s wealth, depicting local industries and maritime businesses. Closed for many years since the mid-1980s, the building is now renovated and reopened as the Baytown Visitor Information Center.
Former Post Office, Baytown, Texas
Nearby to the Brunson Theatre is another repurposed Post Office, now the Baytown Historical Museum. Described as being built in an ‘early international style’ in the mid-1930s and designed by architect Louis A. Simon. Perhaps the most interesting features, as with the Brunson Theatre, are the decorative, stylized illustrations above the doorway and windows. These once again depict Baytown’s heritage with images representing railways, aviation and shipping. Or possibly they are more simply related to methods the Post Office used to move mail.
1940 Air Terminal Museum, Houston, Texas
The magnificent 1940 Air Terminal Museum is located at Houston Hobby Airport around the middle of Telephone Road (for those who are familiar with the fine song by Texas musician Steve Earle).
The original terminal, built in Art Deco style in 1940, served as the first purpose-built terminal for passenger flights in Houston. It was designed by architect Joseph Finger with construction funded by the Public Works Administration. The terminal building is said to be ‘among the few surviving examples of classic art deco airport architecture from the 1940s.’ After closing in the 1960s, it remained unused and somewhat derelict for many years. Now a museum, operated by the Houston Aeronautical Heritage Society, the building is well worth a visit to anyone in the Houston area.
The building consists of a relatively simple multi-story control tower with elongated side extensions. The side extensions exhibit strong vertical lineage and attractive Art Deco reliefs. These repeat around the entire building and depict ‘Aviation; the Origins, the Present and the Future.’ It is interesting how accurately the future of flight was predicted in the vertical take-off aircraft depicted. Above the main entrances is a stunning relief depicting the Roman God Mercury. Winged and wearing an aviator helmet, he holds aloft a Dove of Peace and a Torch of Knowledge. A stylized aircraft tire relief, with wings, decorates the side entrances to the building. Local Texas artist Dwight Holmes was contracted to provide the aviation-themed reliefs.
Further Information
Although the internet contains somewhat limited information on Liberty and Baytown Art Deco buildings, abundant information may be easily found for the San Jacinto Monument and the 1940 Air Terminal Museum building. In particular, the Library of Congress has much better photographs of the aviation-themed reliefs. Or perhaps more correctly, of the reliefs in much better condition than when I visited!
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank my hosts in Texas for their hospitality during my recent visit and for all the friendship, kindness and generosity shown to me over many, many years.