Location: 29.7761815, -95.3297478
Fifth Ward is a historic and musically rich neighborhood located east of downtown Houston. Bounded by Buffalo Bayou, Lockwood Drive, Liberty Road, and Jensen Drive, the area was sparsely populated before the Civil War but became known as the Fifth Ward in 1866. It was settled by freedmen and developed a strong African-American community, with a population nearly evenly split between Black and White residents by 1870. The neighborhood is home to several churches over a century old, such as Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, Pleasant Grove Baptist, and First Shiloh Baptist, reflecting its deep-rooted community spirit.
The Fifth Ward experienced economic growth in the 1880s with the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad but also faced setbacks from major fires in 1891 and 1912. In the late 20th century, the area faced decline and developed a reputation for crime, but it remains a place of historical significance and community resilience, with ongoing efforts to revitalize and celebrate its cultural legacy.
Tags:
– name: Fifth Ward
– official_name: Greater Fifth Ward
– place: suburb
