Community gathers to celebrate Houston’s 60th birthday
The event included cake, ice cream and community stories.
What you need to know:
- Houston marked its 60th birthday with a community celebration at City Hall featuring cake, ice cream, remarks from local officials and residents, and reflections on the city’s history.
- Current and former city leaders and elected officials shared their thoughts and memories about Houston. Longtime resident Gary Miller shared anecdotes about unusual City Council practices in earlier years.
- Attendees voted on proposed designs for a new city seal as part of a contest to replace the current seal. The City Council is expected to make a final selection at its meeting Thursday.
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HOUSTON – Houston residents and local officials celebrated the city’s 60th birthday Saturday with cake, ice cream, voting for a new city seal, and reminiscing about Houston’s past.
About three dozen people attended the gathering at City Hall on Saturday afternoon. Several elected officials and community supporters gave brief remarks. Longtime Houston City Clerk and former City Council member Elsie O’Bryan, who worked for the city from 1979 to 1988, shared memories of advocating for Houston.
Miller’s Market founder Gary Miller told stories about unusual city government actions from years ago, including a City Council practice of holding closed executive sessions in the men’s bathroom of the former City Hall because it was the only side area with enough space and canceling meetings if officials could not get a fire going in the cabin that later hosted them.
“Let’s work together and build a strong community that we can all be proud of, and a city that is held in high regard throughout the state and will be a great example of people coming together for a good cause,” he said.
Miller’s Market served ice cream, and the cake was donated by Calico Bakery, which is owned by Houston City Council member Callie Courtney.
A series of proposed city seals was on display for residents to review and vote on. The City Council is scheduled to make a final selection during its regular meeting Thursday. City officials solicited entries this spring for a contest to replace the current city seal.
-- Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com