The Heritage Society -- Houston, Texas

Exhibits in the museum cover many facets of Houston's past. Exhibits range from 19^th Century paintings from well-known Houstonians to priceless pieces of early and rare Texas Furniture to an extraordinary exhibit on loan from June Adair of Brilliant American Cut Glass to rotating exhibits.

The Heritage Society Museum boasts an exact replica of the 1878 Duncan General Store from Egypt, Texas.

Duncan General Store
Egypt, Texas
Built 1878

This structure is a replica of an actual store that existed in Texas in the late 19th century. The Duncan General Store was built and operated by Green Cameron Duncan (1841 – 1910). Duncan, a Kentucky native, came to Texas after the Civil War. In 1872 he purchased 1,312 acres in Wharton County, and in a few years had established his general store in the town of Egypt, Texas.

The Egypt store sold everything from food to coffins. A meat market was added shortly after opening as well as a lumber yard and saddlery. The merchandise for the Egypt store was hauled in by horse and wagon from the railroad station at Hungerford until the Cane Belt Railroad came to Egypt in 1900. At this time, a corner of the store became the Egypt, Texas United States Post Office.

The majority of the items in this exhibit were part of the original Duncan store inventory.

1911 Ford Model T

The Automobile Arrives in Houston.The number of cars increased from just over 1,000 in Harris County in 1911, to almost 100,000 by 1930. Prior to the automobile, the streetcar system was the preferred mode of transportation.

The effect of the automobile on Houston’s landscape was profound. Along with cars came the need for better roads, parking, car dealerships, gas stations, mechanic shops, and even new laws to regulate traffic.

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