La Carafe Building

The La Carafe building, standing since 1847 and crafted by Nathaniel Kellum, holds the title of the oldest commercial building still in use in Houston and is reputed to be the city's oldest bar, now listed on the National Register for Historic Places. This enduring two-story structure, nestled in the remnants of Old Market Square in downtown Houston, showcases its long history through its weathered appearance, including original brickwork and replaced wooden window frames. Despite its slanted street setting, the building maintains a remarkably level interior, illustrating how the surrounding infrastructure has evolved to accommodate its presence. Flanked by modern developments and an empty parking lot, the exposed right side of the La Carafe building reveals a patchwork of materials that narrate its resilience and adaptations through wars, renovations, and over a century and a half of urban change. (Submitted by CJ Boales)