In the 1930s, the cabanas at Sylvan Beach offer shelter from the heat. • One of the first auto air conditioners in Houston was mounted on the rear of
this Nash, late 1920s.
• Jesse Jones portrait by Calvin Wheat, late 1920s. • If you can't beat the heat, think of the times it has snowed in Houston, like
this 1950s dusting at night.
ugust in Houston generally means a very hot month. Air conditioning is nice, but
there are times when you cannot escape the heat of the outdoors.
When I’m outside and it gets oppressive and hot, I ask my father to blow a little
breeze from heaven my way. Perhaps it is just wishful thinking, but I feel his
presence in the form of a cool wind. I like the idea of someone significant in
my past affecting me in a positive way through the simple belief that a cooling
breeze can make life just a little better.
Historic Houston is melting away. Prime examples of our city’s remarkable past are vanishing before our eyes. It will take more than a cool
breeze to stop this erosion of our community
’s soul. I have advocated the need of a museum for Houston’s history and culture for several years. To accomplish this it will take a
hurricane force wind to fill those historical preservation sails with enough
funding to see it through. The benefit to our community would be worth the cost
and effort to create such an institution.
I present my photographic collection to the public with the hope it will
entertain and inspire them to look deeper into their past. Maybe with the likes
of Sam Houston, Howard Hughes and Jesse Jones blowing a strong wind from our
past, it will help create a museum for our future.
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