M.L. Westheimer
Mitchell Lewis Westheimer, from Baden, Germany, moved to Texas in the 1850s. He married Babette Betty Hirsch and they raised 16 children: eight of their own, three orphans, and five of their relatives’ children.
At an auction, Westheimer purchased 640 acres that extended from present-day Holcombe Boulevard and north to the current Westheimer Road, with Buffalo Speedway on the east and Fondren on the west. On the property Westheimer built a large plantation-style house, with stables and a racetrack. The house was constructed on the current site of Lamar High School. Since Houston in the 1860s had no public schools, he hired a teacher and built one on his property. He allowed local children to attend free of charge.
During his business career, Westheimer owned a flour mill. He became a hay merchant and in the 1850s. He built the first streetcar rails in Houston. He frequently acted as an interpreter at the bank and post office since he spoke seven languages.
In the 1880s, Westheimer opened the Houston Livery Stable and brought five of his nephews to Houston from Germany. They formed Westheimer Transfer and Storage, which still operates today under new ownership. His nephew, Sid, opened a funeral home that features an automobile ambulance and hearse service. Sid also tried his hand at raising Jersey cattle.
A Westheimer Transfer truck
The Westheimer family attended the oldest continually active affiliated synagogue in Texas, Congregation Beth Israel. M.L. Westheimer served as an officer and trustee of the congregation.
Westheimer, in 1895, deeded part of his plantation to Harris County for a right-of-way road to Columbus and Sealy. Today Westheimer Road begins at Bagby, continues to Highway 6, and then to Wallis and Austin County as FM 1093. Westheimer Road is the longest major thoroughfare in Texas. West of Highway 6, near West Oaks Mall, the road forks into Westheimer Parkway which runs through George Bush Park and continues through Katy. After M. L. Westheimer’s death, the road was officially named Westheimer Road.
Westheimer died in 1905. He is buried at Beth Israel Cemetery in Houston
