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W. E. “BILL” CROWLEY PARK: This gentleman was a long time Harris County employee. Crowley was General Superintendent for Roads and Bridges for Harris County Precinct 4. In 1977 former County Commissioner E. A. “Squatty” Lyons had this road and park named in Crowley’s honor. (See Fern and Gessner.) 1

W. W. THORNE: This gentleman was a former superintendent of the Aldine Independent School District and a civic leader in that community. Upon his retirement he won the Star Award from the Aldine Scholarship Foundation for his years of service. ²

WADDELL: C. H. – It is likely that this Rosenberg street was named for this man who established the Fort Bend Telephone Company. ³

WAFER: John F. – This early Pasadena settler came to Texas from Kansas. Active in city affairs, he served on the first school board. ⁴

WAGNER: Leland J. – See sidebar Houston Streets Named for Men Killed During World War I, page 22.

WAHINI: See sidebar Bali Hai May Call You, page 322.

WAKE FOREST: This Winston-Salem, North Carolina university was chartered in 1833. ⁵

WALDECK: See sidebar Brazoria County’s Old Plantation Streets and Roads, page 258.

WALKER SCHOOL: This street leads to Walker Station Elementary School. The Fort Bend ISD opened this facility in 1993. This institution has received a Great School Rating of 10 out of 10. ⁶

WALKER: Robert J. and/or Samuel Hamilton – The provenance of this street makes for a great tale. In 1845 Robert J. Walker, a Mississippi congressman, introduced legislation in the U.S. Congress to annex Texas. Because of his support of this controversial law Texas honored him by naming a county after him. It is likely that Houston followed suit as the area around Walker Street was annexed by the city in 1840. However he turned out to favor the Union in the War Between the States. As a result the Texas Legislature renamed the county in 1863 for Samuel H. Walker. He was a legendary fighter who “distinguished himself for courage and coolness.” Walker’s introduction to combat came in the Indian Wars. He became a Texas Ranger in the 1830s. Captured during the Mier Expedition near Saltillo, Mexico in 1842, he escaped to join General Zachary Taylor as a scout during the Mexican-American war in 1846. Walker saw action in the battles of Palo Alto, Monterrey and the mountainous jungles between Vera Cruz and Mexico City. He was killed leading a charge at Huamantla on October 9, 1847. The mystery is: Does Houston now honor the second Walker? No one knows. 7

WALLER-SPRING CREEK: This road goes from Waller to a bend on Spring Creek. That estuary, also known as Arroyo de Santa Rosa, rises near Field Store. It flows 64 miles southeastward to its mouth on the San Jacinto River near Lake Houston. On April 15, 1836 Sam Houston’s Army camped at McCurley’s Plantation on the creek near Waller. (See Field Store and Waller.) ⁸

WALLER: Edwin – K. H. Faulkner, the man who platted this small village northeast of Houston named it after this early Texas patriot. Waller fought at the battle of Velasco, signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, served as postmaster general of the Republic of Texas, commanded Confederate troops in the Civil War battles of Mansfield and Pleasant Hill in 1864 and was the first mayor of Austin. Waller County and Waller Creek also recall this Texan. One unusual story about the town according to the Handbook of Texas concerns a general store called “God’s Mercy Store.” Owner A. D. Purvis priced all the merchandise at cost and allowed the customer to add whatever markup seemed fair. ^{9, 10}

WALLISVILLE: Prior to the construction of Interstate 10 this was the road to Wallisville, Texas in Chambers County. The town was founded in 1825 by Elisha Henry Roberts Wallis who held Santa Anna prisoner in his home in 1836 following his capture at the Battle of San Jacinto. Up until the late 1870s Wallisville served as a major steamboat port on the Trinity River. Today it is on the National Register of Historic Places. ¹¹

WALNUT CREEK: This creek was first discovered by Rene Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle on February 13, 1687 on one of his many expeditions searching for the Mississippi River. Settlement of this area began in 1829. It rises southeast of Navasota, flows 24 miles through Waller and Montgomery Counties before emptying into Spring Creek. ^{12, 13}

WALNUT CREEK: This Fort Bend County plantation was established on the banks of Oyster Creek in 1835 by Thomas W. Nibbs. He died at a young age and his widow married a lawyer, Constantine W. Buckley. In the following years the plantation prospered. By 1860 their net worth was estimated at $325,000, a tremendous amount of money in those days. Unfortunately, Walnut Creek suffered severely during the War Between the States resulting in its demise shortly thereafter. 14

WAR ADMIRAL: This colt won the 63rd running of the Kentucky Derby in 1937. He took the lead after a quarter of a mile and extended the distance over the field as the race progressed, winning by 1-3/4 lengths. He went on to become a Triple Crown winner with first place finishes in the Preakness and the Belmont. (See Triple Crown.) ¹⁵

WARD: William L. – This Baytown resident was a Harris County Judge. ¹⁶

WARNASCH: John – (See Salt Grass Trail.)

WARREN RANCH: This 6,478 acre spread near Hockley has been a working ranch since its founding in the 1850s by the Warren family. At that time the family operated a boarding house and restaurant (where they served meals from local game shot on the property). In 2004 the Katy Prairie Conservancy purchased the ranch to keep it out of the hands of real estate developers and assure it will remain a wildlife area. It offers some of the best nature viewing in the area with birds, deer, jackrabbits and coyotes to mention a few that are often spotted. ¹⁰⁵

WARREN: In 1955 the Warren Petroleum Company built an underground salt dome storage terminal beneath the town of Mont Belvieu, Texas where this road is located. The facility contains 26 caverns, can store 43 million barrels of natural gas and natural gas liquids and is the largest terminal of its kind in North America. ¹⁸

WASHBURN TUNNEL: This Houston Ship Channel tunnel is named for longtime Harris County auditor Harry Washburn. He first ran for auditor in 1905 but failed to get one single vote. However, eight years later he won the job and served the county for the next 41 years. County Commissioner E. A. “Squatty” Lyons once called him “an almost irreplaceable official.” The tunnel connects Pasadena with the north side of the Ship Channel. Opened in May 1950, this $9 million project was built using a prefabricated tunnel that was placed into a trench dug in the channel. ¹⁹

WASHINGTON IRVING: This early American author was born in 1783 in New York City. He is famous for his humorous stories and satirical essays, which poked fun at New York City’s fashionable society. Irving’s best-known works are the short stories, Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. In Rip Van Winkle, the title character falls asleep for 20 years and awakens to find everything different. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow tells about Ichabod Crane, a poor schoolmaster, and his encounter with a headless horseman. Other streets in this Pearland neighborhood are Crane, Rip Van Winkle and Sleepy Hollow. ²⁰

WASHINGTON: This avenue is not named for the first president of the United States, George Washington, but rather for a small town about 70 miles west of Houston called Washington-on-the-Brazos. Here between March 1 and 17 of 1836 the Texas Declaration of Independence was written and signed. Although revered by Texans as the “Cradle of Independence” few recall it was a rough and tumble town. In 1837 Captain John W. Hall constructed a horse race track here that resulted in a building boom of saloons and gambling halls. Furloughed Texas Army veterans poured into town and things became disorderly. It took a confederacy of town ministers to restore law and order. 21

WATERBURY: Forest John – This young soldier was killed in Iraq by a sniper on March 14, 2008. He was raised in Richmond and graduated from Terry High School. The City Council decided to honor this fallen hero by naming a street for him. ²²

WATERGATE: This yachting center was established on 45 acres along the shore of Clear Lake in 1965. It has over 1,100 boat slips and has won “Marina of the Year” from the Marina Association of Texas. ²³

WATERLOO: At this small Belgian town Napoleon Bonaparte met his final crushing defeat at the hands of the Duke of Wellington on June 18, 1815, thus prompting the expression to “meet one’s Waterloo.” Four days later Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to the island of Elba and later to St. Helena where he died in 1821. ²⁴

WATSON: Wiley – This gentleman was the secretary of William A. Wilson’s real estate development company. It is located in Woodland Heights, a subdivision developed by Wilson. ²⁵

WAUGH: Thomas Terrell – When we were a smaller city and people believed we knew each other better it was not unusual for the City Council to name streets for the young men who gave their lives in defense of our country. (See sidebar Houston Streets Named for Men Killed During World War I, page 22.) Tom Waugh was killed in WW I. His father, T. L. Waugh, was Houston’s Street & Bridge Commissioner. He had the street named for his son in 1922. ²⁶

WAUKEGAN: Like many other Montgomery County towns, Waukegan, named for the Illinois city of the same name, rose and fell with the timber industry. When the last sawmill closed in the mid-1920s and state Highway 105 by-passed the town it disappeared from the Texas map.. All that remains is this road. ²⁷

WEAVER: James Baird – He was born in Dayton, Ohio in 1833. Weaver became active in politics. He was a U. S. Representative of the Greenback Party, a group that opposed the gold standard and national banks. Twice he unsuccessfully ran for president on that ticket. Q. A. Wooster of Baytown supported his efforts and named a street for him. (See Wooster.) ²⁸

WEBER: Joseph C. – See sidebar Houston Streets Named for Men Killed During WORLD War I, page 22.

WEBSTER RANCH: This community in southeast Harris county was established where James W. Webster had his ranch. Originally it was called Gardenland in 1879 as it was founded by English colonists who enjoyed gardening. It was renamed Websterville in 1882 and Webster in 1893. 29

WEBSTER: George – He was a printer who worked for the Houston Informer, a newspaper owned by C. F. Richardson. Webster lived on Elgin Street. ³⁰

WEINGARTEN: From 1901 until 1980 when it was sold, the J. Weingarten Inc. grocery chain was Randall’s, Central Market and Whole Foods Market rolled into one. It was the city’s premier purveyor of foodstuffs. Harris Weingarten arrived in Texas from Germany in the 1880s. He moved from the Richmond-Rosenberg area to Houston in 1895 and opened a general store. In 1901 his son, Joe, opened a grocery on Congress. By 1914 Joe was joined by his brothers, Sol and Abe, and the expansion began. This southeast side street runs beside a former Weingarten store that was at 4431 Griggs. ³¹

» WEINGARTEN: Interior of one of the early Weingarten grocery stores

WELCH: Both City of Houston Historic Preservation Officer Randle Pace and sources at the Robert A. Welch Foundation believe this Montrose area street is named for either Professor Chris W. Welch and/or his brother Robert Alonzo Welch. The brothers founded Welch Academy for Boys in 1896. Many of Houston’s distinguished citizens were graduates. Robert worked for James Bute Paint Company before making his fortune in oil and real estate. In addition he established the Welch Foundation to encourage chemical research. Robert died in 1952, leaving $25 million in his will to that organization. ³²

WELLS FARGO: This north Harris County street recalls the image of six-horse stagecoaches thundering across the great American West. In 1852 Henry Wells and William Fargo founded Wells, Fargo & Co. The business plan called for the firm to deliver mail, gold, currency and negotiable instruments across America as fast as possible. Over the years the company used stagecoaches, ships, railroads, telegraph and the Pony Express. 33

WERLEIN: Ewing – He was the secretary of the Belle Court Land Company, a firm that was active in real estate development in West University Place in the 1920s. ³⁴

WESLAYAN: This street first appears on a city map in 1935. Since it is in West University, where a number of streets are named for institutions of higher learning, it could be a misspelling of Wesleyan. That university was founded in 1831 and named for an Englishman named John Wesley. He went on to found the Methodist church. ³⁵

WESSENDORFF: Anton – In 1854 this immigrant from Hamburg, Germany arrived in Fort Bend County. He acquired 565 acres of land to live on. Wessendorff served under Confederate General John B. Hood during the War Between the States. He was severely wounded during the Battle of Chickamauga but did recover. Returning to Richmond he opened a lumber yard. Wessendorff became so famous for his beautiful wooden caskets he became an undertaker. Then he began building hearses. One of these may still be seen today at Arroyo Seco Park in Richmond. ³⁶

» WESTCOLUMBIA: Photograph of the First Capitol of the Republic of Texas prior to its destruction in the Great Storm of 1900

WEST 11TH: This little street was referred to as “oddly named” since “there are no other numbered streets for miles” in Doug Milburn’s classic guide book Houston, The Last American City. However, early maps of Houston as well as Southampton Place indicate that Bissonnet, the street West 11th intersects just west of Montrose, was called Eleventh Street and started west of Main. 37

WEST COLUMBIA: This Brazoria County town was founded by Josiah Hughes Bell in 1836 and named Columbia. It was still known by that name when it served as the first capitol of the Republic of Texas from September until December 1836. When the capitol was moved to Houston the name was changed to West Columbia. Its economy is driven by cotton, rice, sulfur and oil and gas. There are many historic sites to visit here including the Varner-Hogg Plantation, a replica of the first capitol and sister city East Columbia. That whole community is on the National Register of Historic Places. (See photograph on page 334 and Bell’s Landing and Varner.) ³⁸

WEST POINT: Located on the west bank of the Hudson River is the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. President Thomas Jefferson established the Academy in 1802. Many of America’s greatest military leaders are graduates of West Point including Lee, Grant, Sherman, Jackson, MacArthur, Eisenhower and patton to mention just a few. (See individual streets named for these soldiers.) ³⁹

WEST RANCH: This is a 766 acre real estate development near Friendswood. It is bordered by Clear and Chigger Creeks. When built out it should contain about 1,300 homes. (See Pearland.) ⁴⁰

WEST: (See Parkway.)

WEST: Simeon – This gentleman platted the town of Deer Park. It is possible this street in the neighboring town of Pasadena recalls this surveyor. The town’s name is derived from the fact that prior to its incorporation a privately owned game park that contained deer occupied the site. This area is known as the “Birthplace of Texas” since it was here that the treaty between Sam Houston and Santa Anna was signed following the Battle of San Jacinto. ⁴¹

WESTCOTT: The Westcott family were large landowners in the area east of what is now Memorial Park. The street also honors Charles H. Westcott, a U. S. Army soldier who died of disease in Europe during World War I. ⁴²

WESTFIELD VILLAGE: This northern Harris County road recalls the oil town of Westfield. It was founded in 1870 and named after Gate F. West by officials of the International-Great Northern Railroad. The railroad track passed through property owned by West. (See Bammel.) ⁴³

WESTHEIMER: Michael Louis – An immigrant from Germany, Westheimer came to Houston in 1859. He was quite an entrepreneur. Westheimer owned a flourmill, a livery stable on the corner of Milam and Congress, was a hay merchant and laid the city’s first streetcar tracks. At auction he bought a 640-acre farm for $2.50 an acre west of town where St John’s School is today. He started a school on the property for his 16 children as well as nieces and nephews who migrated from Germany. The shell lane that led to the schoolhouse became known as “the road to Westheimer’s place.” Out of the family livery business came the Westheimer Transfer and Storage Company. They once owned the Westheimer Undertaking and Embalming Company. The family remains prominent in the city today. 44

» WESTHEIMER: An early Westheimer moving van

WESTLANE: This street was named by H.A. Kip, as it was the westernmost extension of River Oaks. (See Timberlane.) ⁴⁵

WESTMINSTER: This London borough is the home of the British government including the Prime Minister’s residence at 10 Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament and Buckingham Palace. Located on the Thames River it also contains the most famous place of worship in England, Westminster Abbey. ⁴⁶

WESTMORELAND: In 1902, William W. Baldwin, an officer of the Missouri-Kansas & Texas Railroad, incorporated the South End Land Company to create a classy neighborhood at the edge of downtown. Baldwin knew St. Louis, Missouri well, as the MK & T was headquartered there. He hired the architect, Julius Pitzman, who had platted the beautiful Westmoreland Place in St. Louis to recreate that masterpiece in Houston. Westmoreland was the first neighborhood in the city to have deed restrictions, most of which are still in effect today. (See photograph on page 337 and Bellaire.) ⁴⁷

» WESTMORELAND: Early photograph of the Westmoreland entrance and gates

WHARTON WEEMS: This gentleman was an early resident of La Porte, Texas where this street is located. 48

WHARTON-BOLING-PLEDGER: Located on the east bank of the Colorado River in the county of the same name, the town was named for John and William Wharton, leaders in the struggle for Texas Independence who arrived in Texas in 1827 from Virginia. The brothers settled in Wharton in 1846. Wharton began to expand with the arrival of the New York, Texas & Mexican and the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroads in 1881 and 1889, respectively. Texas President Sam Houston appointed William Wharton the first minister to the United States. He died when a pistol accidentally fired while he was dismounting from his horse on March 14, 1839. Wharton nearly burned to the ground in 1902 so city fathers decreed downtown be rebuilt using brick. Among its famous citizens were Academy Award winning author and screenwriter Horton Foote (To Kill a Mockingbird) and television newsman Dan Rather. (See Boling and Pledger.) ^{49, 50}

WHEATLEY: Phillis – Located in a predominately African-American neighborhood, I believe this street honors this well-regarded black poet. Born in Africa in 1753 she was kidnapped and sent to America at the age of seven. Too young to be sold as a slave, she was purchased by John Wheatley of Boston as an attendant for his wife. She was a very intelligent girl and a quick learner. She published her first poem at the age of 14. In 1773, 39 of her poems were published in London. Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral was her only book and the first book of poetry published by an Africa-American. Wheatley Senior High School (established in 1927) also recalls this amazing woman. ⁵¹

WHEELER: Rebecca Wheeler named this street in honor of her family. In 1873 she married Benjamin C. Simpson, a New Yorker who came to Houston in 1859 and later fought in Hood’s Texas Brigade on the Confederate side in the War. Her father, Daniel G., was an owner of Phoenix Iron Works. The Wheeler’s lived in a family compound on the block bounded by Main, Rusk, Travis and Capitol. 52

WHIDBEY ISLAND: Dwight Dawson speculates that someone based at the naval air station on this Washington State island may have named this street. ⁵³

WHIRLAWAY: In 1941 this thoroughbred won the 67th running of the Kentucky Derby by eight lengths. His trip around the track was done in record time (2:01 2/5), a mark that stood for 21 years. Legendary jockey Eddie Arcaro was in the irons. This thoroughbred went on to win the Triple Crown with victories at the Preakness and Belmont with Arcaro aboard. This difficult colt was the first winner for the legendary Calumet Farm, an organization that went on to breed eight more Derby champions. (See Triple Crown.) ⁵⁴

WHISTLING WOODWIND: See sidebar It’s Music to My Ears, page 218.

WHITE: Francis Menefee – He fought in the Texas Revolution, seeing action at the Siege of Bexar and the Grass Fight. White entered politics and held a number of elected positions, the most important being commissioner of the General Land Office (1857-1862). Sixth Ward developer William Baker named this street for him. ^{55, 56}

WHITING: Harvey – He arrived in Texas from Connecticut in 1833. Whiting was a jack-of-all-trades. He practiced medicine, operated a farm and ranch on Oyster Creek and ran a boot and shoe manufacturing plant in the Baytown area. Whiting treated both Texas and Mexican soldiers who were wounded at the Battle of San Jacinto. He died in 1852. (See John Martin.) ⁵⁷

WICKED WICKET: In the classically English game of cricket the action centers around two wickets, three wooden stumps topped by two sticks called bails. A bowler (pitcher) delivers a ball toward a batsman (hitter) whose job is to keep the wicket from being knocked over by the ball. If he fails and the wicket falls, the batsman is out. A wicked wicket is British slang for a wicket that is particularly difficult to knock over. ⁵⁸

WICKERSHAM: (See Larchmont.) ⁵⁹

WIGGINSVILLE: This rural community south east of Conroe was started in the early 1900s. In 1931 the Conroe Oilfield was discovered nearby. When oil production ceased so did Wigginsville. ⁶⁰

WILDER: Joseph – This man came to Texas in 1836 and enlisted to serve with Captain John Hart’s Company at Velasco. At San Jacinto he fought under the command of Captain Richard Roman. During the Texas Revolution soldiers were paid in land for their services. The men were given a certificate to exchange for 640 acres. Since Wilder did not cash in his voucher and they were non-transferable we must assume he died shortly after the Battle of San Jacinto or left the state. 61

WILDING: Anthony “Tony” Frederick – This New Zeeland native was a champion tennis player. Wilding was ranked number one in the world in 1913. He won singles titles at Wimbledon (4), Australia (2) and a bronze medal in the 1912 Olympics. He enlisted in the Royal Marines during World War I and was killed in action at the Battle of Aubers Ridge in France on May 9, 1915. ⁶²

WILKES: See sidebar Gone With the Wind Too Far, page 303.

WILKINS: Horace M. – He was the president of the State National Bank of Houston. Following the death of Monroe D. Anderson, Wilkins was named successor trustee of the M. D. Anderson Foundation in 1940. Colonel Bates acknowledged Wilkins work in creating the Texas Medical Center saying, “He was a wise trustee with farsighted vision, judgment and discretion. He deserves a full share of credit for the worthwhile things the Foundation has done.” (See Bates.) ⁶³

» WILLCLAYTON: William Lockhart clayton

WILL CLAYTON: As one of the founders of the hugely successful cotton brokerage company, Anderson, Clayton & Company, William L. Clayton established the base for his fortune. Clayton and his wife Susan lived at 5300 Caroline Street (today the Clayton Geological Library). He would walk to his office in the Old Cotton Exchange Building at 202 Travis, a distance one way of about 2.5 miles. A philanthropist and civic-minded citizen he served as Undersecretary of State in the Truman administration in the 1940s. ⁶⁴

WILLIAM TELL: This 14th century Swiss hero was forced to shoot an apple off of his son’s head with a bow and arrow for refusing to acknowledge Austrian supremacy over Switzerland.

WILLIAMS: Amanda, Daisy, J. W and Marion – This family filed the plat for Mont Belvieu in 1922. (See Barbers Hill.) ⁶⁵

WILLIAMS: Austin M. – This gentleman was a farmer and grandson of pioneer William Scott. His home on Pleasant Point, near Baytown today, was known as Point Comfort. (See Scott.) ⁶⁶

WILLIAMS: Samuel May – Born in Rhode Island in 1795, Williams arrived in Texas in 1822. The following year Stephen F. Austin hired him as a translator and secretary. He became postmaster at San Felipe and a tax collector as well. For his service he received eleven leagues (almost 50,000 acres of land) between Oyster Creek and Buffalo Bayou. Following the Texas Revolution he and Thomas F. McKinley formed a commission house that dominated the cotton trade in the Republic. Williams was an investor in the Galveston City Company that founded that city. He moved there, became interested in banking and lived there until his death in 1858. (See McKinney and Oaklawn.) 67

WILLIAMSBURG: See sidebar America the Beautiful, page 176.

WILLIAMSON: Jerome – There is a good possibility that this street is named for this early Houston area resident (1860-1928). He is buried in Tetter Cemetery located north of this road. (See Tetter Cemetery.) ⁶⁸

WILLIS-OLD WAVERLY: Waverly was founded in the mid-1800s. When the citizens refused the Houston & Great Northern Railroad a right-of-way in 1870 the tracks were laid 10 miles away at a town they named Waverley Station. As that town began to prosper many people move there and the name was changed to New Waverly while the population losing Waverly added Old to its name. Today little remains of Old Waverly. (See Willis-Waukegan.) ⁶⁹

WILLIS-WAUKEGAN: Galveston merchants Peter J. and Richard S. Willis donated this Montgomery County land for a town site along the Houston & Great Northern Railroad in 1870. Early on it was an agricultural and lumber market town. Unlike many towns in this area that depended on lumber, Willis survived and had a population of 3,985 persons in the 2000 census. (See Waukegan.) ⁷⁰

WILLOW CREEK CEMETERY: This Tomball area road leads to the old Willow Creek Cemetery. During the mid-1800s the village of Willow Creek, named for the nearby watercourse, was located here. In 1837 Claude Nicholas Pillot established a farm in the area and is buried in the nearby Pillot Cemetery. (See Pillot.) ⁷¹

WILLOW CREEK: This 18 mile watercourse runs through northeast Harris County, emptying into Spring Creek. Early settlers named it for the plethora of willow trees that lined its banks. The small community of Willow derives its name from the creek. Settlers arrived in the 1830s. An unusual fact about this area is while most of the early pioneers were German immigrants this spot was first settled by the French. Claude Nicholas Pillot, a farmer, arrived in 1837. For a time the area was called French Settlement. (See pillot.) ^{72, 73}

WILLOWICK: The Santa Anna, California Willowick Golf Course was built in 1928. Although this is a beautiful street, the links for which it is named are not visually exciting. ⁷⁴

WILLOWTEX: See sidebar Howdy Tex, page 263.

WILMA-LOIS: Pasadena real estate developer Herbert Tatar named this street for his daughter-in-law (Lois) combined with the name of his partner’s daughter (Wilma). 75

WILSON: Emma – Churchill Fulshear, Jr. hired this lady in the 1860s as a housekeeper and children’s nurse. Wilson was such a faithful employee and adopted member of the Fulshear family that when he died in 1892 Fulshear left the bulk of his estate to her. She also operated the first dairy in Fort Bend County. (See Katy-Fulshear.) ⁷⁶

WILSON: James Theodore Dudley – This Missouri native arrived in Texas in 1835. He served as a private in the Republic of Texas Army, participating in the capture of the Mexican sloop, Correo Mexicano. In 1837 Wilson came to Houston and became one of our city’s first real estate developers. He served as mayor from 1877 until 1879. ⁷⁷

WILSON: Woodrow – This tragic figure was the 28th President of the United States (1913-1921). Although significant legislation was passed on his watch including creation of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Trade Commission as well as the graduated income tax and the Clayton Anti-Trust Bill, his failure to make Congress enroll the U.S. in the League of Nations left him a broken man. The pressure of this shortfall resulted in Wilson suffering a stroke and becoming incapacitated, unable to exercise the duties of President. However, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1920. ⁷⁸

WILTON: See Southampton’s English Streets, page 255.

WIMBLEDON: See sidebar Tennis or Golf, Anyone?, page 348.

WIMBLEDON: This peaceful London suburb becomes the focus of the world of major tournament tennis each June when the best players match their talents in the All-England Tennis Championship. A win in this tournament assures the victor tennis immortality. (See Agassi Ace, Borg Breakpoint, Laver Love, McEnroe Match and Sampras Ace.) ⁷⁹

WINDSOR CASTLE: This magnificent structure has been the residence of English monarchs since William the Conqueror erected a stone enclosure to replace a wooden one. Built on a large mound that fronts on the Thames River this castle is located 22 miles west of London. The site was selected because mythology said this high ground was used by King Arthur who would hold fourth with his Knights of the Round Table. ⁸⁰

WINDWOOD: See sidebar Tennis or Golf, Anyone?, page 348.

WINFREE: Z. T. – Mont Belvieu opened its post office in 1890 with this man as the first postmaster. (See Barbers Hill.) ⁸¹

WINGATE: See sidebar Texas Heroes’ Names for Houston Streets Urged in 72 Proposed Changes, page 96.

WINKLER: Henry F. – He was a member of Local Union No. 84 of the International Association of Bridge, Structural and Ornamental Ironworkers. In addition Winkler was president of the Houston Labor Council (1931-34) and first vice president of the Texas State Federation of Labor. The street was named for him on September, 6, 1936. ⁸²

WINKLER: Milton J. – See sidebar Houston Streets Named for Men Killed During World War I, page 22. ⁸³

WINROCK: – Arkansas investor Winthrop Rockefeller III calls his investment company Winrock. Through that corporation he was involved in real estate development in the area around Westheimer and Voss. ⁸⁴

WIRT: Roy David – This gentleman was a Spring Branch area sheriff for more than 20 years. As one of the city’s best lawmen, citizens wanted to honor him with a street. ⁸⁵

WISTER: The original street sign for this Timbergrove Manor street was Wisteria. However, during a storm the “ia” broke off resulting in Wister. It was never corrected when a new sign was made. ⁸⁶

WITTE: The Wittes were a prominent Spring Branch family. ⁸⁷

WITTER: Pasadena founder Charles Munger’s wife’s maiden name was Alvida Witter. (See Munger and Pasadena.) ⁸⁸

WOLVIN: Captain Augustus B. – A founder of Texas City, he persuaded the U. S. Government to finance the dredging of a ship channel in that town in 1900. (See Texas and Texas City Dike.) ⁸⁹

WOOD: Charles H. or Thomas W. – See sidebar Houston Streets Named for Men Killed During World War I, page 22.

WOODHEAD: John – This gentleman was an early settler from England. He was reported to be “a great church worker who left many descendants” in the Houston area. In 1935 pupils from Lanier Junior High School appeared before City Council to request the street name be changed to Higginbotham in honor of the school principal, Miss Blanche Higginbotham. But they also had one other motive besides just “polishing an apple” for the principal. It seems students at another school had begun calling the Lanier kids “woodheads” implying they were not very smart. After hearing testimony as to the high character of Mr. Woodhead, Council decided to retain the street name. The students wrote a letter of apology to E. S. Woodhead, John’s brother and a Houstonian. In that letter they said “If we have offended members of your family by this petition, we offer our sincere apology; and yet we cannot regret the opportunity that has come to us to learn more about the distinguished gentleman for whom this street is named.” 90

WOODLANDS: This parkway is the main entrance to the huge master-planned community known as The Woodlands. Located on approximately 25,000 acres in southern Montgomery County, this town was developed by Mitchell Energy & Development Corporation beginning in 1972. ⁹¹

WOODLOCH: This tiny town (.01 square miles) near Montgomery only has four streets making it the smallest in the county. Woodloch is a bedroom community of Houston that was established in 1974. ⁹²

WOODRIDGE: Carl Detering Sr., a real estate developer and son of Herman E. Detering, owned the land around an office complex he built on the Gulf Freeway. He called the street Woodridge after a company he owned of the same name. (See Detering.) ⁹³

WOODRUFF: See sidebar Texas Heroes’ Names for Houston Streets Urged in 72 Proposed Changes, page 96.

WOODWAY: On the original plat of Tanglewood this thoroughfare was called Park Drive. However, the city felt it would be confused with Parkway in Broadacres and asked developer William Farrington to rename it. His daughter says he chose Woodway because it sounded like a nice and pretty place. ⁹⁴

WOOLWORTH: This is another Denver Harbor Addition street recalling one of the city’s early retail establishments, Woolworth’s 5 & 10. In 1878 Frank Winfield Woolworth developed the concept of displaying a large number of products all of which sold for either five or ten cents. He opened a store in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1880. The idea caught on and by his death in 1919 there was more than 1,000 outlets around the country. In 1913 he paid for the company’s New York headquarters building, at that time the tallest skyscraper in the world, with cash. ⁹⁵

WOOSTER: Quincy Adams – This gentleman arrived in the Baytown area in 1891. He purchased over 1,000 acres of land with the intention of starting a town. Although a community formed, it was never incorporated and was absorbed by Baytown in the mid-20th century. The street, however, remains. A prisoner of war camp holding captured German soldiers was located here in World War II. His great-granddaughter, Trevia Wooster Beverly, a Houstonian, wrote At Rest: A Historical Directory of Harris County, Texas, Cemeteries (1822-1992). This is an excellent book on the area’s burying grounds. ⁹⁶

WORDSWORTH: William – Alphabetically, Wordsworth is the last of the great English authors, poets, essayists and playwrights that Houston developers used to emphasize the superior intellect of their neighborhood. A poet with an affinity for writing about his beloved Lake District and its natural beauty, he was named Poet Laureate of England in 1843. ⁹⁷

WORTHINGTON: R. H. – He was born in North Carolina in 1826 and moved to Fort Bend County in 1849. He is remembered for the nursing care he gave to citizens of Richmond during the great yellow fever epidemic of 1853. Miraculously, Worthington did not catch the disease which was one of the most deadly plagues that swept through Texas in the 1800s. 98

WRIGHT: John H. – (See Stewart.) ⁹⁹

WRIGHT: Thomas, Jr. – Baytown land developer W. E. Defee named this street for his friend Wright. ¹⁰⁰

WROXTON: See Southampton’s English Streets, page 255.

WUNDERLICH: Peter – Over 100 years ago this north Harris County farm was founded by this German immigrant. Today it is listed in the Family Land Heritage Program by the State Department of Agriculture. It has been under the same family ownership since 1861. (See Strack.) ¹⁰¹

WUNSCHE: Carl – An early settler in Spring, Texas, Wunsche arrived in the 1840s. A German immigrant and farmer he took advantage of the Texas Homesteading Law. That statute stated the people could settle on public property and if the person added improvements the land could not be taken away by the courts to settle debts. The family operated Wunsche Bros. Saloon and Hotel in the early years. (See Spring-Stuebner.) ¹⁰²

WYATT EARP: Born in Illinois in 1848, Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp would become a legend in his own time. During his life he was a farmer, teamster, buffalo hunter, gunfighter, boxer, gambler, saloon owner and lawman. He is best remembered for the famous “Gun Fight at the O. K. Corral.” In Tombstone, Arizona on October 26, 1881 Earp, his brothers, Virgil and Ike, and Doc Holliday shot it out with Ike and Billy Clanton and Tom and Frank McLaury. The McLaurys and Billy Clanton were killed. Virgil, Morgan and Doc had minor wounds. Wyatt was unscathed. He gave up gun fighting, moved to California, ran a saloon and gambling parlor, became a newspaper sports reporter and died of old age at 80. ¹⁰³

WYETH: Andrew – He was one of America’s best known realist painters of the middle 20th century. Wyeth’s favorite subjects were the land and people around his homes in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania and Cushing, Maine. Christina’s World is one of the 20th century’s most recognizable images. He is also remembered for the 247 studies of his neighbor Helga Testorf, done between 1971 and 1985. ¹⁰⁴