HOS to BMT

Looking at this sprawling urban area, now the fourth largest city in the U.S, it's hard to believe that Houston was once a mosquito-infested village overshadowed by the thriving cities of Beaumont and Galveston.

Looking at this sprawling urban area, now the fourth largest city in the U.S, it's hard to believe that Houston was once a mosquito-infested village overshadowed by the thriving cities of Beaumont and Galveston.

Houston is known as a center of business, but the fourth largest city in the United States has a fun side, too. No matter what your interests, Houston probably has something for you. Enjoy shopping, the arts, six professional sports teams, parks, museums and dining. To see it all you'll want a car - this city of 2.2 million people is spread out over 600 square miles.

Houston is known as a center of business, but the fourth largest city in the United States has a fun side, too. No matter what your interests, Houston probably has something for you. Enjoy shopping, the arts, six professional sports teams, parks, museums and dining. To see it all you'll want a car - this city of 2.2 million people is spread out over 600 square miles.

About 15 miles northeast of Houston, Texas, the train passes over an enormous lake. Lake Houston is a reservoir on the west fork of the San Jacinto River. Though not very deep, at the lowest point reaching 45 feet, the lake covers an astonishing 11,854 acres.

About 15 miles northeast of Houston, Texas, the train passes over an enormous lake. Lake Houston is a reservoir on the west fork of the San Jacinto River. Though not very deep, at the lowest point reaching 45 feet, the lake covers an astonishing 11,854 acres.

Now one of the smallest towns in the area, Sour Lake, Texas, located in The Big Thicket National Preserve, once used its natural resources as a resort town but soon turned into a forest of oil derricks pumping oil day and night.

Now one of the smallest towns in the area, Sour Lake, Texas, located in The Big Thicket National Preserve, once used its natural resources as a resort town but soon turned into a forest of oil derricks pumping oil day and night.

The Battle of San Jacinto lasted approximately twenty minutes, but shaped the future of Texas and the United States. A surprise attack on April 21, 1836, led by General Sam Houston, completely caught the Mexican army off-guard.

The Battle of San Jacinto lasted approximately twenty minutes, but shaped the future of Texas and the United States. A surprise attack on April 21, 1836, led by General Sam Houston, completely caught the Mexican army off-guard.