This review is for the adventurous, the creative and those with any shred of imagination....oh, and history buffs. American Statesmanship Park, aka Mount Rush Hour, was donated to Harris County Precinct 2 in November 2012. All it is is a collection of 18 foot tall sculptures, created by Houston artist David Adickes. These concrete representations of, Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, loiter, 24/7, in a lot near the intersection of I-10 and 45. The place is not hard to reach, by car, bus, or bike, and the walk from the bus stop is not that far of a jaunt and the neighborhood not that intimidating, though since it's near abandoned land along the freeway walkers should be wary. Homes are a mix of old and worn and new development. I visited on my birthday in March 2013. My review is in the form of a creative telling of that trip and includes 4 photos that give you the lay of the land and amusing looks at these wonderful sculptures. I hope the story and the photos encourage you to visit the spot and bring along the kids for a cool adventure of a historical nature... The Mad Houstonian had arrived in Houston in September, from southern California, jobless, but a writer with creative hopes and dreams. On this day, as he celebrated his 53rd birthday, a lot had happened in the intervening 6 months, but his confidence in the rightness of his relocation remained unshaken. In California he had performed at open mic poetry readings in several venues, including the famed Ugly Mug Cafe, in the city of Orange, and hoped to do the same in his new home. Having begun to become familiar with the poetry scene in Houston he finally decided to take the bull by the horn and venture forth. His first choice might surprise the natives, but he felt it was the right thing to do, and so he soon found himself wandering down a dusty lane, ancient, single, two and 3-story wood frame homes, some dating back to the turn of the previous century, some still in use, some long abandoned, surrounding him on all sides, all situated on what had once been, partly, a civil war era cemetery, from what a resident had told him. He had come to perform before men known simply as George, Stephen, Sam, and Abraham. The biggest, most impressive, audience in town. As he proceeded to introduce himself he couldn't help but notice how silent they were. Maybe they were meditating, he thought, or maybe mesmerized by the passing traffic on the nearby freeway, or train tracks. Maybe they were stunned that someone had actually come to pay them a visit! As he proceeded to read some of his work, they just stared at him, not budging an inch, refraining from giving any sort of feedback, positive, or negative. They didn't even call the constable on him for occupying their space, and ruining their day! Finally, at his wits end, he begged, and pleaded, for any of them to say something, anything... Just please, stop looking at him so stone faced, and coldly. They just continued to sit there looking at him stonily, refusing to respond in any way... Finally, he packed up, said good-bye, and left the gentlemen to their own devices. A tough audience, he thought, as he made up his mind to try a less demanding bunch of poetry lovers, of which there surely had to be a few in this town somewhere.... Quotes of relevance... "Happiness depends more upon the internal frame of a person's own mind, than on the externals in the world." "To encourage literature and the arts is a duty which every good citizen owes to his country." ― George Washington "Whatever you are, be a good one." "I will prepare and some day my chance will come." "The best way to predict your future is to create it". "Those who write clearly have readers, those who write obscurely have commentators." "Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed." "I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end." ― Abraham Lincoln read more

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Stuck in stop-and-go traffic on the interstate, I was able to enjoy this park at 5 to 10 miles an hour. A surprising little bright spot in an otherwise frustrating afternoon and affectionately nicknamed "Mount Rush Hour" (like Mount Rushmore but with traffic). The park has 18 foot tall busts of George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Stephen F. Austin, and Sam Houston. (Yes, for you non-Texans, the cities of Austin and Houston are named after those last two.) The park is operated by Harris County and these artworks by sculptor David Adickes were added in 2012. He titles them, "A Tribute to American Statesmanship." Enjoy if you're going slow. Or if you want a better look, the park is open to the public but not directly accessible from the interstate. [Review 852 of 2024 - 607 in Texas - 21882 overall] read more

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Mount Rush Hour! After passing this monument hundreds of times on the bottleneck of interstate 10 and 45, commonly congested with heavy commuter traffic, I finally decided to venture over for a closer look (on my bike). To get there, travel down Houston Avenue and then turn off at Bingham Street going East and go all the way the end of the street. This street isn't perfectly straight so just pay attention to the street signs. The large concrete busts depict four historical figures including Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. The structures sit on a tiny lot of land wedged between the neighborhood and the interstate with no parking lot or formal placard aside from a medium size metal sign that says "American Statesman Park". In reading a little history about this space, it's just a third of an acre and smallest of Harris County's nearly 190 parks. It was designed to be a point of visual interest, created by David Adickes, but not an actual park as there are no benches, parking spots, or even a trash can. Interesting! read more

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Houston has some surprisingly wonderful pockets of art, and this spot was one of them. We have passed by these statues while driving on the freeway. We found out only recently that we could get to this small park in person by going east on Edwards Street from Houston Avenue. The park is at the end of this street. You can see I-45 from here. I read that the statues were constructed to look like Mount Rushmore. In fact, this park was previously named Mount Rush Hour, since people driving on the freeway during rush hour can see these statues. The bust statues from left to right were of Stephen F Austin, Sam Houston, Abraham Lincoln, and George Washington. I was impressed by the level of detail on these busts. From their hair and accessories, to their beards, to their facial features (especially Abraham Lincoln's eyes), and to their clothing (they all had vests, coats, and neck ties). They all looked so dignified and seemed to be watching over the people of Houston. It was just great to park and see these concrete busts in person. The only thing was we had to park on the grass. It's not really a park, per se. But, it was enough space to just take in these statues and then move on with our day. If you're anywhere near this park, come check them out. read more

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I've always seen these 4 stately heads looming as I speed by on I-10 but never knew they were actually accessible to visit! Enter American Statesmanship Park - located on the curve of Elder Street just a stones throw away from the interstate. There isn't a lot of pomp and circumstance here, even though it highlights four iconic figures: Sam Houston, Stephen F Austin, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln; you just drive right up and park in front of the larger than life heads. There isn't anything else here besides the heads, but even so you still feel like it was worth the trek to come see them - they are really a sight to behold up close! read more

American Statesmanship Park - Parks Near Me - Houston, Texas

This is review of a park they don't advise you to visit. Officially, it is "American Statesmanship Park", but that name won't get attention like Rushmore parody. (':') (':') (':') (':') __| |__| |__| |__| |_ __ __ __ __ __o'---'o_o'---'o_o'---'o_o'---'o_ Sitting on a lot south of I-10 at I-45 are four statues of historical figures by Huntsville native sculptor David Adickes: two Presidents & two Texas statesmen. (no one in last 160 yrs is worthy). The 18 ft busts are concrete, like the roads they oversee. Let's 'face' it, in this area, if they were of bronze they'd be cashed in at the nearest recycling center. All these men were leaders who subscribed to the motto "lead, follow, or get out of the way", which befits a freeway. This park is so Houston: Art appreciation for the masses, especially in an area devoid of good things to see from the freeway. In this area, even the graffiti is in decrepit condition. For the convenience generation, this is like a drive-through museum. Located in a daily traffic bottleneck at rush hour, freeway goers have plenty of time to admire the statesmen whom I think contributed to the bottleneck in these ways: - Sam Houston: To stay ahead of Santa Anna's advancing army, General Houston would read and write messages on horseback, setting a bad example of texting and driving. - Abraham Lincoln: Presided during the Civil War, but did not make a speech that would create peace between the North Houston and the South Houston, as road rage flares where I-45 gets a finger (lane) from I-10. - George Washington: Won the war that switched the side of the road for traffic flow differently from motherland Britain. And, one time he gave up on using slow roads and instead crossed the Potomac River. - Stephen F. Austin: The only one of these statesmen who did not win a war. However, he brought settlers into Texas which led to revolution and independence from Mexico, sort of. Our highway system is being built, maintained and remodeled with most laborers Mexican. The idea is to view the park from the freeway, since getting there is a long roundabout route, much like getting to the cashier at IKEA. And it is not exactly a safe area to walk around if you carry anything worth over a nickel. The third of an acre residential lot was donated by Quinita and Christopher LaPorte, perhaps after someone stole the church. (the concrete foundation is all that remains... I guess now you could say it is 'busted' up) If this review is a bust, I am sure some heads will roll. And now some famous quotes, followed by relevance in parentheses: Sam Houston: "All new states are invested, more or less, by a class of noisy, second-rate men who are always in favor of rash and extreme measures, but Texas was absolutely overrun by such men." (watch out for the big wheeled pick-up trucks) Stephen F. Austin: "A nation can only be free, happy, and great in proportion to the virtue and intelligence of the people." (we Texans are in trouble, based on 49 dumber States) George Washington: "Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master." (nowadays, some people see these statues as symbolic of our government watching us) Abraham Lincoln: "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves." (don't be as hard-headed as a statue; don't look to government to solve problems; these heroes fought for freedom, not for pitting one group against another and favoring some over others) "I worked around cattle all my life and I guess I learned all there is to know about it, and I think I can sum it all up in one thing: You can't drink coffee on a running horse." - Samuel Brenner, Lubbock, TX (don't drink and drive) "In Texas, a political speech is sometimes referred to as a longhorn: one that makes two good points, but they are a long way apart and have a lot of bull in between." Herring and Richter, Don't Throw Feathers at Chickens (all of these statesmen were known for their oratory skills and directness, not spin and doublespeak like today's politicians) "Texas women are like snowflakes. Individually they may be pretty, but put together they can stop traffic." -- Cathy Bonner (you could interpret that in at least 3 ways; these busts (get your mind back on statues) are very well sculpted, and are impressive up close) From the movie "Rush Hour": Genevieve: "I'm going to go into the bathroom and make myself more comfortable." Detective Carter: "Need some matches?" (there are no facilities at the park, nor a parking lot) Detective Carter: [after Det. Revi kisses him on both cheeks] "Hey man! You touch me again, you gonna owe me dinner and movie." (keep your grubby hands off the statues) Credits: Special thanks to Erin A for finding this park and allowing me to rush this FTR. read more

American Statesmanship Park - Photo credit: 365 Things to Do in Houston - Parks Near Me - Houston, Texas

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This thing is really freaking weird. Then again, so am I, and I like it. There are 4 giant heads here: Sam Houston, Stephen Austin, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln. It says "a tribute to American statesmanship" (I think) across the 4 heads. I have no reference for even what this is, but I'll do my best: Where else is there space for a lot of political figures' giant head statues? So weird, so cool. Access and parking is easy enough, and you can see it from the freeway if that's somehow better for you. Tourists, you might be better off parking and looking (like I did). I would recommend this just because WHERE ELSE does this exist? Srsly though. read more

First Ward representing!!! Yes, driving by on the freeway may be best way to see the busts. But you can drive up for a closer look without issue. (Grab a burger at Stantons, its on the way). Just look out for front end loaders, backhoes, and builders trucks as this is a rapidly gentrifying area. $500k+ townhomes coming soon. read more

I see this all the time from the freeway in Houston. We had brunch at Stanton's City Bites. After brunch, out the front door and then left on Edwards till it ends. The street turns left and there you are: The American Statesman Park ... read more

This is definitely an amazing photo op spot and worth driving by! I love having it nearby just because it is certainly a cool piece of art and I do think it's relaxing to walk or drive by and look at. There are so many funky and cool little spots with amazing statues, graffiti, etc in Houston. The First Ward/ arts district is an awesome and up and coming area and I am proud to call it home! read more