The Ben Milam Hotel
Houston, Texas
Air Conditioning Comes to Houston
Built in 1928, across from Union Station, the 10 story hotel named after Texas hero Ben Milam was the first hotel in Houston to be completely air conditioned in 1932.
The York Ice Machinery Corporation installed a year-round system
that
controlled temperatures and humidity, and also cleaned the air.
The cost was an astounding depression era $75,000.00. Houston,
Texas is now thought to be the most air conditioned city in the world.
The latest on the Ben Milam Hotel is that it will be torn down soon. How soon, I'm not sure. The building continues to deteriorate. Since these pictures were taken the "Ben Milam Hotel" sign is completely cover with gang graffiti.
Texas Avenue is 100 feet wide. It was designed to allow 14 longhorns to walk horn to horn during cattle drives towards the tracks at Union Station A lot of activity and entertainment on game day. These guys set up in front of the Southwestern Grill a great place to eat. It is located on the corner of Texas and Austin Streets.
Opened in 2000, Minute Maid Field (dark red brick) is home of the Astros baseball team. The Stadium is air conditioned and has a retractable roof for baseball purist that think they have to sweat to enjoy a game.
A lot of activity and entertainment on game day. These guys set up in front of the Southwestern Grill a great place to eat. It is located on the corner of Texas and Austin Streets.
