. . . The Ladies Reading Group of Houston was a significant founder of the public library system in Houston Elizabeth Long the author of the 2003 book Book Clubs: Women and the Uses of Reading in Everyday Life wrote that Houston's "literary scene" contributes and draws upon the overall literary culture of Texas the University of Houston creative writing program opened in 1979 Long wrote that this program "has achieved a national reputation" in subsequent decades in 1985 the Ladies Reading Club had a 100th anniversary celebration, 1541 founding of Santiago de Chile Sports and outdoors Kegans Unit located in Downtown Houston is a state jail for men it is in the north of downtown along the north side of the Buffalo Bayou next to the county facilities.
; The Texas Veterans Association composed solely of revolutionary veterans living in Texas was active from 1873 through 1901 and played a key role in convincing the legislature to create a monument to honor the San Jacinto veterans in the late 19th century the Texas Legislature purchased the San Jacinto battlesite which is now home to the San Jacinto Monument the tallest stone column monument in the world in the early 20th century the Texas Legislature purchased the Alamo Mission now an official state shrine in front of the church in the center of Alamo Plaza stands a cenotaph designed by Pompeo Coppini which commemorates the defenders who died during the battle. More than 2.5 million people visit the Alamo every year!
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