The Old Place at Sam Houston Park in Houston, Texas
Wednesday, August 5, 2026View original
At the edge of downtown lies Sam Houston Park, a manicured green haven that doubles as a time capsule. While the park is home to the Houston Heritage Society Museum which includes several historic structures, none are older, or more resilient, than a humble, rough-hewn log structure known simply as The Old Place.
Constructed around 1823, this cedar cabin is widely believed to be the oldest remaining structure in Harris County. However, It didn't start its life amidst city noise. It was originally built by John R. Harris—the early Texas pioneer and founder of Harrisburg—along the muddy, alligator-lined banks of Clear Creek, well south of the city limits.