HOUSTON — A Houston business is now officially recognized as an historic place.
In 1954, Alvin E. Jackson and his family started work on a two-story building in Independence Heights, opening Jackson's Barbershop and Beauty salon. It's located on historic Church Row.
The shop quickly became a meeting place for the African-American community during the Civil Rights era. It also served as a safe space to talk about economic, political and social concerns.
"We'd talk about anything that we feel that would be exceptional to young people," said Johnie Joel Jackson Sr. with Jackson's Barbershop and Beauty Salon. "And we believe the mentorship. We get young kids off the street."
"I think this is the first barbershop that has acquired a historical marker," said Debra Blocklock with the Harris County Historical Commission. "And so it's important that because the local footprint of African-Americans are not in textbooks or anywhere, our job is to document that, so that's why this location is so special."
After this special event, the barbershop held a free back-to-school haircut drive.
So what does it take to become a historical landmark? Here's what the Texas Historical Commission says to look for.