File:Houston Skyline, from Old MKT Railroad Trestle over White Oak Bayou, near Studemont & I-10, Houston, Texas 0330090947BW (3399782698).jpg

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I've long been fascinated by Houston's history as a major port, a port made possible only by a tortuous path to the Gulf of Mexico, and, critically, after 1900, being dramatically more sheltered than Galveston from the worst that that Gulf has to offer. Houston's port, though, would have been useless without the railroads, fanning out from the city, like spokes on a wheel, spokes like this one, heading north (behind me in this photo), the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad.

"Houston, where 17 railroads meet the sea" used to be the slogan of the Houston Chamber of Commerce.

Someone (almost certainly more than one) is burning our bridges. Most of the trestle type railroad bridges on disused railroad right-of-way in Houston appear to have fire damage to some degree or another. I've seen this on bridges over both Buffalo and White Oak Bayous.

This is disturbing, of course, from a criminal and safety standpoint, but it also destroys some of Houston's historic structures, something that Houston has had no trouble doing without arson. It is also disturbing because it is happening at a time when many of these structures are being incorporated or considered for incorporation in Houston's system of hike and bike trails.

Note: This bridge now has a deck and handrails and has become a part of the Heights Bike Trail.