Jones Hall

Since the opening of Jones Hall in 1966, millions of arts patrons have enjoyed countless stage and musical performances at the venue, located at 615 Louisiana Street in downtown Houston. Jones Hall is a monument to the memory of Jesse Holman Jones, a towering figure in Houston during the first half of the 20th century. A key player in FDR's cabinet during America's recovery from the Great Depression, Jones was also a builder in Houston. At one point, he could count 35 buildings he added to the City's skyline. He also owned the Houston Chronicle and was also a prime mover in the dredging of the Houston Ship Channel. Before his death in 1956, it was Jones' expressed wish to see that Houston had a new opera house. Jones Hall would become his lasting gift to the City. Jones Hall was built on the same location as its predecessor, the old City Auditorium, which was demolished in the summer of 1963. Construction of the new facility began in January 1964. The entire $7.4 million construction tab was paid for by Houston Endowment Inc., a foundation established by the building's namesake. Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts was accepted as a gift to the City in civic ceremonies on October 2, 1966.