Greeting
LIFErs! This week we were joined by Jane
Ledbetter and Karen
McGilvery from the Cypress Historical Society to give us the history of the Cypress area and a virtual
walk-through of Cypress Top Historical Park.
We believe Cypress got its name from the numerous Cypress tress that lined the banks of the bayous at the time, although none remain today. Cypress looked very different in the 1700-1800s: there were few trees as the area was mostly
prairie. Cypress remained mostly unincorporated farmland until mid 1840s when the first stage coach lines and Post Office developed. When Texas became the 28
th state in 1845, Cypress began to grow due to a large influx of mostly German immigrants, who gave their family names to streets which still exist today.
In 1856 a railroad was built from Houston to Cypress, and the first locomotive was
affectionately named "Ebenezer". But the area never really grew, as yellow fever,
diphtheria, and other illnesses took a toll on the population until 1897 when Ed
Juergen helped develop the community. He built the "Tin Hall" (a dance hall and gun & rifle club) and also the
Juergen store, both of which survive today. In 1910, while drilling for oil they instead discovered hot water, and town had 2 hot pools and 1 cold pool which attracted folks from all over the Houston area. The Cypress rodeo began in 1944, mostly for goat roping, but it grew into a full-fledged rodeo quickly.
Please look through the slide show below to learn more about our town's history, and check out the Cypress Historical Society and Cypress Top Historical Park when you have the chance. It is also time to register for the next year of the Academy of Lifelong Learning. See the links below.
Cypress Historical Society:
http://www.cypresshistoricalsociety.com/Home.htmlCypress Top Historical Park:
http://www.co.harris.tx.us/Pct3/parks/cypresstophistoric.aspxAcademy of Lifelong Learning:
http://www.lonestar.edu/cyfair-all.htm
Greeting LIFEers! This week we learned about something near and dear to our lives, if not our hearts: the Cypress Creek Greenway Project! John Robertson joined us to talk about the plans and preparations for this magnificent park project, all happening in our backyards. No more driving to Terry Hershey park or the arboretum, you will be able to hike, bike, or walk the dog through miles of planned trails all across north Houston. Read about the project on the excellent slide show below, or check out their website, also below. Parks are good for the environment, the mind/body/soul and even improve local home values. So start walking, and support your local park systems.
