Rusty Steam Engine cloaked in white sheets

THE NAU CENTER EXHIBIT THAT'S NOT BEING EXHIBITED 

Southern Pacific Locomotive No. 982 under wraps

The old Southern Pacific steam engine was donated decades ago and used to be parked on the shore of the lake in Hermann Park, quietly rusting away. It was only recently that it has been "gift-wrapped"; -- at its current interim resting place between the GRB Convention Center and the MinuteMaid Stadium. Presumably, it's all for good: To keep it from crumbling, while the Nau Center for Texas Cultural Heritage, of which it was to be an exhibit, is on hold. In the meantime, the conventioneers and sundry out-of-towners must be wondering what's hidden under the big white sheets.  

The tourists must be wondering what's been hidden inside 

 Southern Pacific Locomotive No. 982 under wraps 

and in limbo (above); undergoing conservation

work in June 2014 (below). 

Locomotive with scaffolding before the wrapping: Summer 2014 

ARCHIVAL STEAM ENGINE PIC 

Southern Pacific Railroad Logo on RR Bridge in Memorial Park 

Meanwhile nearby another truly historic piece - a piece of significant architecture, rather than locomotive engineering - has been demolished: The Incarnate Word Academy Building, dating from 1905. 

  

At least the old house on Nau Center grounds itself has been spared such an ignominious fate. It sits there patiently, awaiting much-needed restoration work, with a section tarped (unlike the locomotive, its cover is black) and the chimney shored up ... while the high-rise residential and hotel construction frenzy proceeds unabated nearby. 

That Old House in front of the Minute Maid Ballpark 

State National Building Redevelopment (May 2015 photos)

Kellum-Noble House - Historic Preservation (foundation stabilization work)

Foundation repair at Kellum-Noble House (2015)

Sam Houston Park in Downtown Houston with Early Houston Historic Homes

German Lutheran Church in Sam Houston Park 

Pillot House

Staiti House (1905)

Heritage Plaza Skyscraper with Mayan Theme 

Connally Statute 

Nichols-Rice-Cherry House at Sam Houston Park

Nichols Rice Cherry House 

Old Place at Sam Houston Park (Log Cabin) 

Rodeo Trail Riders passing the Old Place at Heritage Society
Historic Park 

Yates House (1870) 

Pillot House entrance with Dogs 

Old Baptist Missionary Church in Downtown Houston dwarfed by Skyscrapers

Armor Car Company - Historic Hogg Building

Lobby of Hogg Building paying tribute to Hogg family 

Penthouse with roof garden at the Hogg Building

Hogg Palace (loft conversion) and Calpine Center Building (right)

Hogg Building

Sidewalk water feature at historic red brick Hogg Building in Downtown Houston 

Magnolia Tea Room at Magnolia Brewery Building

Metal-frame doors at Magnolia Tea Room

711 Franklin Street, Houston, TX 77002

Historic landmark property markers

Magnolia Brewery Building - Corner view from across intersection

JW Hotel Project Downtown Houston - Conversion of Old Office Building

Old Office Building on Main being currently converted to luxury hotel
Construction site pics January 2014

Samuel F. Carter Building at 806 Main St

Old Office tower to get new life as JW Merriott Downtown Hotel

Historic villas on Avenida de las Americas (future Nau Center)