Maps show how Houston has grown since 1836

Houston as it was known in 1836 included only a portion of what is now downtown along Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou. Houston as it was known in 1836 included only a portion of what is now downtown along Buffalo Bayou and White Oak Bayou. Photo: City Of Houston Planning And Development Department Photo: City Of Houston Planning And Development Department Image 1 of / 32 Caption Close Maps show how Houston has grown since 1836 1 / 32 Back to Gallery

Houston’s sprawl is one of a kind.

To prove it, Chron.com compiled maps of annexations throughout the city’s history, courtesy of the City of Houston Planning and Development Department. In them, you can see how Houston’s city limits started with just a few blocks in 1836 to what it is today.

In 1900, for example, Houston only covered nine square miles and had a population of 44,000 people. The city's entire population would have fit in NRG stadium with about 30,000 seats to spare.

As the city grew, it added neighborhoods such as the Heights, Spring Branch, Lake Houston and Clear Lake.

When was your neighborhood annexed? Find out in the gallery above.

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com