Henry H. Houston

Who was Henry H. Houston?

Henry Howard Houston was a leading Philadelphia businessman and philanthropist. He led the Pennsylvania Railroad's freight division after the Civil War, and he was in charge of the Philadelphia, Germantown and Chestnut Hill Railroad which was built in the 1880s to link downtown Philadelphia with the wealthy and growing suburbs to the northwest.

Houston attended St. Peter's Church in Germantown, Pennsylvania, and was a property developer in that section of the city. He was the developer of "Wissahickon Heights," an exclusive community in western Chestnut Hill, and built the original structures used by Chestnut Hill Academy and the Philadelphia Cricket Club. He also served as a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania.

Houston is the namesake of the Henry H. Houston Elementary School in Mount Airy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Houston's Chestnut Hill mansion, Druim Moir, still exists, having been converted to condominium use. Springside School occupies part of the former estate's grounds.

Gateway to Druim Moir.

Wissahickon Inn.

Philadelphia Cricket Club, original building, burned 1909.