For at least 80 years parts of Houston have been dotted with cast concrete street markers. You can see these historic markers all around Woodland Heights. Some are in good shape. Others quite degraded. Those that have had altercations with vehicles are in the worst shape.
Earlier this year, Ryan Taylor, WHCA Director of Beautification, began to explore how these markers are made. Initially, he intends to replace the one at corner of Michaux and Highland, near his home.
The process is quite slow. It will take some time to get it right. Elsewhere in the city people have been having them made. Rumor has it that they cost of over $2200 each in 2024.
OOPS! Sorry About That!
While this has been a point of discussion for some months, a recent incident may present an opportunity to try crafting new markers.
CenterPoint has a project that involves one of their contractors erecting new utility poles in the neighborhood. On the morning of Monday, April 13th this contractor was working to move one of these massive new poles into place. While navigating around the intersection of Woodland and Florence streets they accidentally knocked over one of the historic concrete street markers.
This accident was noted by a neighbor who took pictures, reported it to WHCA and collected the contractor’s details from the crew on-site. WHCA was later contacted by the company’s management, who are seeking to ascertain the cost of repair or replacement of the marker.
The situation is not yet resolved, but it appears that this incident may provide the funding that will allow Ryan to acquire the tools and supplies necessary to try making the markers.