Originally published in 1912 to debunk myths that had been floated about Houston's founding and earliest years, it is now considered a must-have book for collectors of Houston history. Nearly all later works on Houston cite Dr. Young's excellent work. The text covers the city's founding, the early mayors, Civil War and Reconstruction. There are sections on early buildings, bridges, the development of railroads and fire companies. It covers Houston's early physicians and lawyers, the many, many newspapers, and the first banks. There is much on Houston's military history, its sawmills and cotton industry. Read about early literary efforts in Houston, the Lyceum, Carnegie Library, and the founding of the Rice Institute. Want to know about about early labor unions? The first telegraphs? About how the telephone and electric lighting came to town? It's all here.