Oak Forest was established in 1947 and is known as a Historic Houston neighborhood just north of 610 loop. This Neighborhood has more than 5,600 homes and 20+ acres of parks, hiking and biking trails and is the third largest group of subdivisions in Harris Country and still growing each year. The Oak Forest community has truly embraced the surge of diversity that comes with the popularity of the area.
Oak Forest History
The territory which became Oak Forest was annexed by the City of Houston in the 1940s. Oak Forest was established in 1947 by Oak Forest Realty Corporation, owned by Frank Sharp, a developer who would later establish Sharpstown. Oak Forest Realty Corporation built houses only in Section 1 (Golf Dr to Oak Forest Dr, and Du Barry Ln to W 43rd St). Sharp would later develop the neighborhood for 17 additional sections by building streets and installing utility lines but left the home construction to other contractors.
The first house, which served as a sales office, was built at the corner of Golf and Fisher Dr. Almost all of the first houses were sold to World War II veterans for $8,000-$10,000. One of the original homeowners, Ruth Metzger, bought her house in April 1947, when it was only a slab and still lived there through 2008.
Many of the original settlers moved from rural areas west of Houston and were of Polish Texan and Czech Texan origins.
Originally, there was no telephone service. If a homeowner needed to place a call, they had to use one in the construction shack on the corner of Wakefield and Kinley Lane or one in the house of Frank Sharp’s niece on Wakefield. Telephone service finally arrived in the middle of 1948.
Sufficient acreage in Oak Forest was set aside for churches, parks and schools. Areas were also reserved for commercial development, and this accounts for the many grocery stores, cleaners, service stations, etc., which are located along W. 43rd St. between Ella Blvd. and Oak Forest Dr.
When it was first established, Oak Forest had golf course and the part north of Brickhouse Gully and west of White Oak Bayou was in Aldine Independent School District. The land was ceded to Houston ISD in 1958. The original Oak Forest Elementary was built in 1951, followed by Black Junior High School in 1958 and construction on Waltrip High School began in 1959 with the first classes held in the fall of 1960. Stevens Elementary was added as the area grew beyond the capacity of one elementary school.
Oak Forest was originally an unincorporated area in Harris County. It was annexed by the City of Houston about 1949. Sixty years later, there are 5,523 homes in Oak Forest with a population of over 23,000. Oak Forest is the third largest area after the annexation of Kingwood.
Oak Forest Schools
The Community is located within the Houston Independent School District and has become a great area for education.
Oak Forest is zoned to the Oak Forest Elementary and Stevens Elementary.
Oak Forest middle school students are zoned to the Frank Black Middle School.
Garden Oaks high school students are zoned to Waltrip High School or Scarborough High School
Oak Forest Food and Entertainment
Below you will find a list of a few local spots for both food or entertainment.
Echo Custom Homes loves the area and we even office out of the community. If you are thinking about moving here wanting to build or renovate a home feel free to contact us so we can learn more about your desired situation.
Echo Custom Homes collaborates with local realtors to find ideal lots, ensuring every home, land, and design meets your clients’ distinct needs. Our comprehensive services cover everything from lot evaluation to custom design and construction, simplifying the process for realtors and buyers alike.