Second Ward, or also known as Segundo Barrio, is a historical political district ward located in the East End community of Houston, Texas. Second Ward is one of the four original wards in Houston during the 19th century. Today, Second Ward is bounded by Buffalo Bayou and Lockwood Avenue. Second Ward also has several industrial buildings, and some of them were renovated to become lofts because they are near offices and several business establishments. In this article, we are going to learn more about Second Ward and the places you need to see while you’re there.

History

During the late 19th century, Second Ward was home to several farms and even a horse race track. Several large farms tracts were sold and used as industrial space after 1900. The site where the Volkfest Park was located became the new location of the Houston Meat Packing Company, a large scale canning and meatpacking plant. On the other hand, the horse racetrack was purchased by the Milby Car Barn. However, it was later bought by Metro and became the future site of the HCC East Side campus.

From the 1920s to the 1950s, Second Ward got some Hispanic flavor because of Houston’s de facto segregation. As the Fourth Ward became a self-sufficient community for African Americans, Second Ward did the same thing for people of Hispanic heritage.

Aside from this, Second Ward also became a home to several businesses that catered to the local population. This includes restaurants, social organizations, drug stores, shoe stores, and it even has a Spanish language radio station. During the late 1960s, the second ward underwent a prolonged period of decline because of rising crime rates and unemployment. The problem intensified as most well-established families started to move away, and Second Ward’s housing stock was used more frequently for income producing reasons.

Today, Second Ward continuously gains stability because it is now home to an increasing number of stable organizations and families that focus on the East End, such as the Talento Bilingue De Houston, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Ripley House, and the Greater East End Chamber of Commerce. Second Ward is also home to one of the City of Houston’s landmarks, several potential historical landmark sites, and two State of Texas Historic Landmarks.

Things to do in Second Ward, Houston

• Explore culture, arts, and music at Talento Bilingue de Houston – This place was founded in 1977, and since then, it has turned into the largest cultural center in Houston. The bilingual theater often features Latino arts experiences through film festivals, music, and galleries.
• Shop at the East End Street Market – Are you looking for ways on how you should spend your Sunday morning at Second Ward? Worry no more, because all you have to do is head over to the East End Market, where you can find organic produce, artisan cheeses, eggs, flowers, baked goods, jewelry, and crafts. Aside from this, there are also several local food trucks here where you can take a bite while taking a break from shopping.
• Have fun with your friends at the Moon Tower Inn – if you are into wild game weenies and craft suds, then the Moon Tower Inn is the perfect place for you. Here you can experience a 66-tap lineup of brews and outrageous creations such as apple brandy, a cheeseburger that has 13 chiles, as well as crawfish boils and other kinds of fun stuff.