June 19th, called by Texan's Juneteenth, is the day slaves got the word in Texas that they were freed from slavery.  I've always been proud to be a native Texan and of the fact that many Texans stood against succession from the Union, including Sam Houston. I recently saw Ernie Manous on Channel 8 interviewing Sam Houston's great-great-grandson and airing a documentary that brought many things to light I don't think I was taught in Texas history class in the '70's. According to the documentary he was encouraged to run for President before the Civil War. Historians have said that if he had agreed to run, he would have probably beat Lincoln. Did you know Sam Houston was the only governor who was governor of two different states? He was governor first of Tennessee. 

Almost exactly 50 years after black Texans got word they were emancipated, Independence Heights was incorporated as the first African American Texas township. Still a very organized community, located just north of Houston Heights, the neighborhood is seeing redevelopment.  There are small original homes available and also quite a bit of new construction. Convenient to downtown and Houston Heights dining and shopping, Independence Heights is thought by many to be a great place to get in on the ground floor. New construction homes are currently offered at around $150,000. What a great location to buy a bungalow for below $100,000!