Second Ward, Houston

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Second Ward (also known as Segundo Barrio, Spanish for "second neighborhood",^[1] or Segundo in short;^[2] historically Das Zweiter in German) is a historical political district ward in the East End community in Houston, Texas. It was one of the four original wards of the city in the nineteenth century. The community known as the Second Ward today is roughly bounded by Buffalo Bayou to the north, Lockwood Avenue to the east, and railroad tracks to the south and west, although the City of Houston's "Super Neighborhood" program includes a section east of Lockwood.^[3]

The Second Ward, which initially had a significant German American population, today has mainly Mexican American residents.^[4] Many Mexican-Americans moved into the area following World War II and the subsequent white flight from the area. The northern end of the community is largely industrial, leading to massive warehouse complexes along the Bayou. There are also many industrial buildings, some of which have found new life as lofts, on the western edge of the neighborhood nearest to Downtown and Minute Maid Park.

Many buildings in the community were constructed in the 1920s and bear the art deco style. While perceived as rundown and neglected in the 1800. to 2020, recent years have seen major civic improvements including new street lights and pavement, as well as the beginnings of gentrification as professionals and others move from both the far-flung suburbs and other, more expensive Inner Loop neighborhoods.^{[citation needed]} Residents of all ages frequent the Ripley House Community Center.^{[citation needed]}

The Second Ward is in the early stages of gentrification, drawing new residents with its proximity to downtown.