Neighborhood migration in Houston, Texas in the 1920s

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The Houston Press

                                             October 24, 1928

 

Mr. Don Riddle

c/o River Oaks Corp.

River Oaks Blvd.

Houston, Texas.

 

Dear Mr. Riddle:

 

Progress is ever onward and upward.

 

Yesterday in Houston there was no River Oaks, Riverside Terrace, Braeswood.  South End indicated one's social standing and business connections.

 

Then South Enders migrated to Montrose, and their places were filled by people from the Heights, North Side, and Down Town.

 

The migration continues -- people are still moving onward and upward in the social scale.  Residents of the older and less desirable sections are moving out to the newer additions.  Their old homes are becoming occupied by the next in rank.

 

Men who held minor positions yesterday, head their own business today, and are among Houston's recognized leaders.  Yesterday they lived in modest homes in modest neighborhoods; today they live in beautiful homes in the most select neighborhoods, and their families are growing up in culture and refinement.  Because Houston is a small slice of America, and representative of her progress and development.

 

Seventeen years ago when The Houston Press was established, its readers were principally among these upcoming Americans.  The Press was for them; helped them progress and progressed with them; together, moving on and upward.  Just another story of American democracy reaching the top.

 

The Press continued to make improvements, securing a wider and wider acceptance among all the people for its editorial ideals -- its independence and fairness in publishing the news.  The accession as editor of The Press, of Mr. M.E. Foster, founder, and for twenty-five years editor of the Chronicle, was the crowning event.  With that The Press achieved acceptance in the best homes in every part of Houston -- vying with any Houston paper in its over-all circulation, influence and prestige.

 

We wonder if you have recognized the full significance of this change in your public, its bearing on and relation to you?  Whether you are taking full advantage of this new situation that has developed in less than two years? 

 

We will be glad to go over the facts and figures with you.

 

 

                                                                 Cordially yours,

                                                                              Jeff Barnette

                                                                                             Advertising Manager.