Houston Chronicle // When I first landed in Houston years ago, I’d scuttle out of work and toward a short-term guest room at a friend’s home via Memorial Drive. Each time, I’d always see a parked police car, prompting me to gently pump the brakes because that’s what I do. Though I’m not prone to speeding, when I see a black-and-white cruiser some primal instinct takes over. For months, I thought the “Houston Police Officers Memorial” was a speed trap.
In my defense, Jesús Bautista Moroles’ granite pyramids more resembled Mayan ruins I’ve seen than a tribute to the city’s police force. That said, the memorial is proof that stepping from one’s car and looking around one’s community can be a worthwhile and educational pursuit. This site serves as both a reminder of the sacrifice of the city’s police officers, and can be threaded into a walk with additional public outdoor art. It also offers a lovely view of downtown.
After curating a music-centric tour last month — designed for proper social distancing — that went from Third Ward through Eado up to Fifth Ward, down and around to the south side and then Montrose, here we focus on just a few of the hundreds of public sculptures across the city.