See Houston's favorite skyscrapers as they looked while under construction

PHOTOS: Houston skyline baby photos

In December 1978 steel beams were being put in place for the 50-story Three Allen Center office tower being built in downtown Houston. It is currently the 12th-tallest building in the city.

See more photos of Houston's epic skyline under construction... less PHOTOS: Houston skyline baby photos

In December 1978 steel beams were being put in place for the 50-story Three Allen Center office tower being built in downtown Houston. It is currently the 12th-tallest ... more Photo: Sam C. Pierson Jr., Houston Chronicle Photo: Sam C. Pierson Jr., Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 44 Caption Close See Houston's favorite skyscrapers as they looked while under construction 1 / 44 Back to Gallery

Houston's skyline is surely iconic to locals. It's been recreated on T-shirts, mugs, murals and even tattoos.

Now that Houston is becoming a bigger and bigger player on the world scene, the skyline and its skyscrapers are becoming more well-known to out-of-towners.

EVERCHANGING CITY: The buildings that Houston has lost over the years due to age and progress

Houstonians just need one or two of the owners of the tall, tall buildings to open a proper, public observation deck so visitors can gaze across the expanse of the city.

Who doesn't love looking at old photos of Houston landmarks and traffic arteries in their infancy. Mentally sketching out what came before compared to what is seen today seems to be a pastime for everyone.

AT A GLANCE: How Houston's newest skyscrapers measure against the city's tallest

With a city like Houston that continually constructs, deconstructs and rebuilds, the Houston Chronicle archives are full of photos of men in hard hats and work boots pouring concrete and scaling high beams.

Click through the slideshow above to see the skyscraper when it was being constructed and what it looks like now...