4.2 United States Congress Cotton ranching and farming dominated the economy with railroad construction after 1870 a major factor in the development of new cities away from rivers and waterways Toward the end of the 19th century timber became an important industry in Texas as well in 1901 a petroleum discovery at Spindletop Hill near Beaumont was developed as the most productive oil well the world had ever seen the wave of oil speculation and discovery that followed came to be known as the "Oil Boom" permanently transforming and enriching the economy of Texas Agriculture and ranching gave way to a service-oriented society after the boom years of World War II Segregation ended in the 1960s due to federal legislation Politically Texas changed from the virtually one-party Democratic state achieved following disenfranchisement to a highly contested political scene until 2000 when it was solidly Republican the economy of Texas has continued to grow rapidly becoming the second-largest state in population in 1994 and became economically highly diversified with a growing base in new technology, Real estate and corporate location (31) 84. 1 Population demographics and government The Hobby Center Bayou Bend is a 14-acre (5.7 ha) facility of the Museum of Fine Arts that houses one of America's most prominent collections of decorative art paintings and furniture Bayou Bend is the former home of Houston philanthropist Ima Hogg.
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North American University (NAU)