The far East End

We knew there had to be some history behind Houston's opening its doors to hurricane evacuees from New Orleans a couple of summers ago — and now, thanks to the Chronicle's addictive Bayou City History blog, we know what it was: Early in 1949, the Houston City Council annexed the city of New Orleans. So, hey, all you transplanted New Orleanians: Welcome home!

It all started Dec. 31, 1948, when Houston annexed more than 100 square miles of land, increasing the city's area to 216 square miles from 74.4 and putting its population at 618,000 — the largest in the South, or so Houston claimed. New Orleans, meanwhile, begged to differ. Here's the text of a telegram from New Orleans Mayor de Lesseps S. Morrison to Houston Mayor Oscar Holcombe:

"New Orleans, largest city in the South, third largest in area in the nation, gateway between the Americas, home of the Mardi Gras, Spring Fiesta, fine food and beautiful women, cordially congratulates Houston on its progress and growth.

"As capital of the Gulf Coast, we are happy to see progress in all communities within our sphere of influence.

"I wish to extend a cordial invitation to you to visit New Orleans and study how we maintain our position and population growth without extending our area.

"After your visit, we feel sure you will become reconciled to the fact, and admit the great city of Houston is still behind New Orleans in population -- at least in human inhabitants."

Busted! Holcombe shot back a retort — "Why visit a village to find out how to run a city?" — and, on Jan. 5, 1949, the Houston City Council responded to Morrison's effrontery by unanimously approving "an ordinance annexing the suburb of New Orleans, Louisiana, to the city of Houston." The ordinance was ceremonial, of course — but who would've guessed Houston would have ended up welcoming so many New Orleanians 56 years later? Thanks to BCH's J.R. Gonzales for digging up the story.