First Montrose Commons – About

About

First Montrose Commons was designated as an historic district in June 2010.

First Montrose Commons was one of several upscale “suburban” neighborhoods developed in Houston during the first quarter of the 20th century west of downtown Houston. First Montrose Commons historic district was originally platted as two different subdivisions, over time these unique sections have formed an individual identity which has become known as the neighborhood of First Montrose Commons. These individual plats were once known as Lockhart, Connor & Barziza Addition, platted in 1873, and Bute Addition, platted in 1907.

The historic district is within the greater Montrose neighborhood and this was platted in 1911 by John Wiley Link as the Montrose Addition. John Link named the area ‘Montrose’ after a town in Scotland.

In 1994, residents formed the First Montrose Commons Civic Association to preserve the character of their neighborhood. The Civic Association chose its name because the historic houses in the neighborhood were among the first houses built in what is now known as the greater Montrose neighborhood.

Approximately two-thirds of the buildings in the First Montrose Commons Historic District are from its period of historic significance (c. 1900-1941), and many have been restored. The historic houses and apartment buildings in First Montrose Commons were built in the architectural styles in vogue in the early 20th century. Craftsman and Bungalow are the most prevalent architectural types found in the neighborhood, but also contains eclectic examples of Prairie, Mission Revival, Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, Queen Anne, and Art Deco styles. With a large collection of two-story single-family residences, period apartment buildings, and one-story bungalows.