I’ve heard the sculptor erroneously placed the point of the finger in the wrong direction. I’ve also heard that he’s pointing to a route over the San Jacinto river or something like that. Either way, it’s a beautiful statue and valuable Houston landmark (More Info), and that’s why I photographed it at over 40 ft in the air. Take a look at the photo – have you ever seen this particular angle on General Houston? Note the monument visible under his horse..

A popular belief in the United States is that if the horse is rampant (both front legs in the air), the rider died in battle; one front leg up means the rider was wounded in battle or died of battle wounds; and if all four hooves are on the ground, the rider died outside battle. However, there is little evidence to support this belief. (wikipedia)
I know that General Sam was injured in battle – and that he was one tough hombre. Nicknamed “Coloneh” or “the Raven” by the Cherokee nation, he is the only person to serve as governor of two States. Here’s my favorite story about his character:

After Stanbery refused to answer Houston’s letters about the accusation, Houston confronted him on Pennsylvania Avenue and beat him with a hickory cane. Stanbery drew one of his pistols and pulled the trigger—the gun misfired.

On April 17 Congress ordered Houston’s arrest. Pleading self-defense, he hired Francis Scott Key as his lawyer. Houston was found guilty, but thanks to highly placed friends (among them James K. Polk), he was only lightly reprimanded. Stanbery filed charges against Houston in civil court. Judge William Cranch found Houston liable and fined him $500. Houston left the United States for Mexico without paying the fine.

By Caroline Gallay
08.26.10 | 03:18 pm

Steve Scalice wants his neighbors to know that it’s still him behind the The Fairview (and behind the bar) at the old Dean’s Credit Clothing location — it’s just being rebranded, revamped and he hopes, revived.

The (sorta) new spot now has a patio and will be introducing a menu next month to be developed by Fusion Taco, who will also be parked outside Friday nights from 10 p.m. to midnight.

Scalice says the name, “The Fairview,” was actually the plan when he first opened in the location, but he stuck with Dean’s to match the old downtown establishment. Now, he says he hopes to keep churning out the same great neighborhood product — which includes block parties with neighboring Boheme every first and third Sunday of the month with acoustic acts, poetry readings and art.

Other regular features are Texas-themed films from the Houston Film Commission every first Thursday of the month; Sunday movie nights with the locals on the projector screen; bring-your-own vinyl Thursdays and Southwest Alternative Media Project (SWAMP) forums for filmmakers the final Tuesday of every month.

And Scalice intends to keep some remnants of Dean’s. The old ledgers are still in the bathrooms, for one. He’ll also continue Dean’s monthly art openings, and his famous frozen cosmo is there to stay.

More furniture has been added inside — including several TVs — which will broadcast NFL games and major college sports.

“The bar business is an evolution,” Scalice says. “But the product — the drinks, the cool vibe and the good service are the same.”

West Ave on Kirby

GENERAL WEST AVE FACTS
Retail / Residential
• 190,000 square feet (50+ storefronts) of premium retail on the first two floors
• 389 luxury apartment homes located on floors three through seven
• Apartment rents range from $1400 to $3000+

Parking
Guests at West Ave have several parking options including street level parking in and around the development and 477 spaces in a dedicated underground garage.

(NOTE: some individual concepts offer valet parking)

Projected West Ave tenant opening schedule:
• Eddie V’s Prime Seafood – OPEN
• Ava Brasserie – January 2011
• Pondicheri – January 2011
• Tootsies – January 2011
• Pizzeria Alto – January 2011
• Cru Wine Bar – March 2011
• Azur West – January 2011
• Ivory Bridal – January 2011

That’s all I needed. I did a horribly lacking amount of research to get the start time. 12 midnight.

“Well, I have to wake up at 6am for an early shoot – but how many times do you get to photograph one of the oldest buildings in downtown Houston go kaput?”

Plus I had an advantage on vantage point – 19th floor balcony of the Houston House Apartments. The ingredients are all there – camera, tripod, building, view, etc.

My lack of research? Well, with more research I may have found that they weren’t going to implode or explode the building with all the magic of C4 – like a glorious end to an old icon. No, they were going to tear it down with a crane – a slow, painful death. One we don’t have time to watch. One that doesn’t do much for the camera.

At the stroke of midnight – they started laying down planks for the crane. That’s about it.

At 2am my interest went in REVERSE. Feeling sleepy and defeated I gave up – but decided to create an explosion of my own:

Here’s an update on the state of the building: