OAK FOREST MARKS 60TH ANNIVERSARY

In 1947 a large parcel of land northwest of downtown Houston was purchased by the Oak Forest Realty Corporation for the development of a residential subdivision known as Oak Forest. The corporation was owned by a developer by the name of Frank Sharp, who would later be known for his large southwest development called Sharpstown. Oak Forest Realty began building the first section of homes west of Ella Blvd. and just north of West 34th St. It continued to develop the infrastructure for 16 more sections extending as far west as West T.C. Jester and what is now U.S. 290.  In these sections the homes were built by different contractors. The realty company also made space available for the establishment of four parks which today are known as T.C. Jester Park, Candlelight Park, American Legion Park, and Oak Forest Park. There were also areas set aside for commercial development along West 43rd St.and Ella Blvd. 

   The first house was built on Golf St. and Fischer. The first section of houses initially sold for $8000-$10,000 and were mostly sold to World War II veterans. A sales brochure from 1947 boasts that Oak Forest was "one of the finest residential developments of post war America." It advertised "4000 sparkling modern houses" along winding wooded streets with landscaped yards and told of amenities such as shopping areas, schools, churches, and parks. At the time Oak Forest was one of the largest subdivisions built by Mr. Sharp until his Sharpstown development.

   The original Oak Forest Elementary School was built in 1951 and was actually part of the Aldine School District. After Oak Forest was annexed by the City of Houston around 1949 the school was eventually transferred to HISD. Today there are 8 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools in the Oak Forest area. The 17 neighborhood sections now contain 5523 homes with a population of over 23,000. 

   Many of the post war style homes in the early sections of Oak Forest are still intact as they were originally built. Others have been remodeled and in some cases rebuilt. In sections built much later, large ranch style homes can be found. There is still an abundance of tree-lined streets with ample lawns and landscaping. The neighborhoods are deed restricted and as yet have not been impacted very much by redevelopment. The Oak Forest Homeowners Association is an organization founded to promote neighborhood protection and beautification for its residents. Oak Forest is located near the major thoroughfares of the North Loop and U.S. 290, and its convenient location makes it a desirable neighborhood for residents who work in the downtown and inner loop areas as well as other parts of the city.

(Near Northwest Banner, April 5, 2007)