Aviary at the Houston Zoo
Also known as: Flamingo Habitat at the Houston Zoo
Why it's listed
Concrete rocks, hollow tree trunks and a mountain-shaped fountain make up the flamingo habitat at the Houston Zoo in Hermann Park. It began as a bird aviary built around 1926, when sculptor Dionicio Rodriguez was probably hired by the City of Houston to create its naturalistic features. The fountain rises about 18 feet and drips cement stalactites into an oval pool. Faux rock ledges line the water, and two bare tree trunks with bark texture, holes and traces of original color stand nearby. The steel and wire cage was destroyed by Hurricane Carla in 1961, yet the sculptures remain in their original location in excellent condition. The site was listed for its artistic value. The nomination calls it the only known zoo setting with Rodriguez's work, and his largest fountain. It is also one of the few Rodriguez commissions made for a city government. Chilean flamingos now live there.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the aviary is the only known zoological setting with sculpture by Dionicio Rodriguez, and a unique work of art by a noted faux bois sculptor. The fountain is the largest Rodriguez built anywhere. The work is also one of the few Rodriguez commissions made for a municipality, and it survives intact in its original site.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 05000858, listed August 9, 2005. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1513 N. McGregor, Houston |
|---|---|
| County | Harris County |
| Listed | August 9, 2005 |
| Reference number | 05000858 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | c.1926 |
| Architect / builder | Rodriguez, Dionicio |
| Architectural style | OTHER: Faux Bois Sculpture |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Art |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a zoo exhibit (flamingo habitat). The wire cage was destroyed by Hurricane Carla in 1961, but the Rodriguez sculptures remain and are described as in excellent condition. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.71674, -95.39218 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 05000858.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q28153535
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.