Historic information and resources

Last year, I contacted the Harris County Records Management department  to request the Harris County Archives Collection information about my home at 1827 Norfolk Street.  After about a month long wait, they mailed me the information free of charge.  The packet contained tax and sale records from 1939 to 1972.   In 1939, our neighborhood was called “Richwood” and my home was valued at $2,430.  In 1967, the value was up to about $5,400, including land and property.  There’s also a photo from what I believe is in the 60’s or 70’s showing my house looking almost exactly the same; the only differences are the neighboring houses, some missing trees and a different color front door.  I enjoyed viewing the information and thought you might be interested in doing the same on your home.

For immediate gratification, you can also peruse the Harris County Archives online.  Some of the highlights are listed below:

• Block book – Search your address for information on Richwood (or Riverwood!!)
• Harris County Map Collection – fantastic old maps, 1904 and later
• Oral Histories – William B. Hatten’s interview is quite a read

Currently, I’m working on two blogs to be posted in the next week or two; updates from the February 23rd Board meeting and a University Corridor rail update.  If there’s something else you would like to see, or if you can provide more information about historical information, please contact me at dbaker@richwoodplace.org.  And keep in mind, the offer is always on the table if you would like to write a post!

City services information – trash and recycling

Beginning March 1, 2010 the city of Houston will only accept yard waste in paper bags.  You can purchase these bags at Southland Hardware or Home Depot (does anyone know of a better place?). 

For information on City Services to our neighborhood, call 311 or visit the City of Houston eGovernment Center.

As a quick reference, here’s what you’ll find for our neighborhood:

• Trash and light yard waste pick-up every Monday
• Recycling pick-up every Monday (glass and hazardous waste are not picked up and must be taken to the recycling center)
• Heavy trask pick-up every second Thursday for homes West of Woodhead, and every second Wednesday for homes East of Woodhead.  The heavy trash schedule alternates monthly between tree waste and junk waste.  Tree waste is picked up in months January, March, May, etc while junk waste is picked up February, April, June, etc.  You can legally put your tree waste or junk waste out at 6:00 pm the Friday before your Tree Waste / Junk Waste day.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Richwood Place Civic Association’s blog.   The developers of this site have two goals;  to provide Richwood Place residents information about what is going on the neighborhood and to create an open forum for all members.

In addition to giving updates about activities in Richwood Place, the site will also be updated with information about the neighborhoods around us, known as our super neighborhood, Neartown.  Check here for updates about what is going on in Neartown, including information about the University Line rail project. 

Finally, this site is open to all residents.  If you have ideas for a post or would like to make a post, please contact our Vice President, Daniel Baker, at dbaker@richwoodplace.org for more information.