Photos show what Houston looked like in 1969

January

Looking south from Pierce overpass between Hamilton and Chartres, Texas State Highway Dept. workers clear land in preparation for the freeway link to connect the Eastex and Southwest Freeways. In the distance, San Jacinto High School appears to block passage, but the right-of-way swings west before it reaches Holman to bypass the school and meet with the Southwest Freeway. The new construction will also link both Eastex and Southwest Freeways with the Gulf Freeway by way of the "Pierce Elevated." less January

Looking south from Pierce overpass between Hamilton and Chartres, Texas State Highway Dept. workers clear land in preparation for the freeway link to connect the Eastex and Southwest Freeways. In the ... more Photo: Curtis McGee/Houston Chronicle Photo: Curtis McGee/Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 108 Caption Close Photos show what Houston looked like in 1969 1 / 108 Back to Gallery

What was life in Houston like 50 years ago? A trip through the Houston Chronicle's photo archives gives us a fascinating look at the Bayou City in 1969.

Possibly the biggest Houston news of the year was the Apollo 11 moon landing, which made "Houston" the first word ever uttered from the lunar surface.

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That year we also celebrated the opening of Houston Intercontinental Airport, which would not be named after President George H.W. Bush until 1997.

It was a year for activism, with protesters taking to the streets in support of ending the Vietnam War, bringing kindergarten back to Houston ISD, discontinuing risque film showings or ending discrimination.

Houston saw parades celebrating astronauts, crazy high-speed chases, and a terrifying pipeline explosion that decimated a neighborhood.

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Some Houston things - heavy fog, mosquitoes, confusing road construction and unbearable summer heat - have not changed at all in the last 50 years.

See the photos above for a look at Houston life in 1969.

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