Houston Airport: Availability Of Payphones For Travelers

Payphones are few and far between in Houston, but they do exist. In fact, you can find them in the city's airports. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) has a working payphone in Terminal A, on the first floor, right inside the door where the parking shuttle buses pick up. Houston's other airport, William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), likely has them too.

Payphones at Houston Airport: locations and functionality

Houston Airport, also known as George Bush Intercontinental Airport, does have payphones available for use. In fact, there are reports of multiple payphones at the airport, with one located in Terminal A on the first floor, right inside the door where the parking shuttle buses pick up. Another payphone can be found behind Terminal C security, next to the flight information screens.

In addition to the airport, there are several other locations in Houston that have working payphones. These include:

• Chevron at the intersection of S Post Oak and Willowbend
• H.E.B. Gas Station at Jones Rd. and West Rd.
• HEB gas station on 45 South @ Woodridge (Gulfgate)
• Greyhound Bus Station in downtown Houston
• Haverstock Hill Apartments in Northeast Houston
• Montrose on Westheimer, across from McDonald's
• Windstream office in Sugar Land

While payphones have largely gone extinct due to the prevalence of mobile phones, they can still be found in some locations, often serving as a nostalgic reminder of a bygone era.

Public vs. private payphones in Houston

Public payphones were once commonplace, but their prevalence has decreased significantly due to the widespread adoption of mobile phones. However, they still exist in some places, including Houston, Texas.

In Houston, public payphones can be found in transit hubs such as airports, bus stations, and train depots. Additionally, some private businesses like gas stations may have on-site payphones for customers. While these payphones are not truly public, they are accessible to the general public and can be used in emergencies.

The Houston Airport has working payphones. One can be found in Terminal A on the first floor, right inside the door where the parking shuttle buses pick up passengers. There are also reports of payphones in Terminal C, specifically in the baggage claim area.

Outside of the airport, there are a few other locations in Houston where payphones can be found. A search on Google Maps or online directories like Payphone Directory, Payphone Project, and Waywalking can help pinpoint these locations. However, it is important to note that these directories may not always be up to date, and some payphones may no longer be functional.

Private payphones, on the other hand, are still quite common in Houston. HEB, a grocery store chain in Texas, is known for having functional payphones at their gas stations. These payphones are primarily meant for emergency calls but can be used for other purposes as well.

In conclusion, while public payphones are becoming increasingly rare, they can still be found in Houston, particularly in transit hubs and some private businesses. Private payphones, on the other hand, are more widely available and can be accessed at HEB gas stations across the city.

Payphones in Houston: a nostalgic relic

Payphones in Houston are few and far between these days, but they can still be found in a few places, often in "weird little places". They are a nostalgic relic of a bygone era, and many people associate them with a time when we didn't have the world glued to our hands 24 hours a day.

Locations

There are reports of payphones in Houston at the following locations:

• Terminal C baggage claim at Houston Airport
• Chevron at the intersection of S Post Oak and Willowbend
• H.E.B. Gas station at Jones Rd. and West Rd.
• HEB gas station on 45 South @ Woodridge (Gulfgate)
• Montrose on Westheimer across from McDonald's
• Greyhound bus station in downtown
• Little buddy convenience store near Stude Park
• Mango Beach snowcone place near Stude Park
• Haverstock Hill Apartments in Northeast Houston
• Windstream office in Sugar Land
• Emancipation Avenue as part of an art project

Art Project

An art project on Houston's east end, called "The TréPhonos", brought pay phones back to Emancipation Avenue for a new educational purpose. Three pay phones were installed along the avenue, each with a special artistic twist, to highlight the culture of Houston's Third Ward. One phone played music by local musicians, another featured ambient noise and the third was a collaborative project with area creatives and residents telling stories about the history of the neighbourhood.

Directories

There are also online directories listing payphone locations in Houston, such as the Payphone Project and the USA Business Directory.

Obsolescence

While payphones may be a nostalgic relic for some, for others they are simply an "oddly specific yet antiquated piece of technology". They are certainly a relic of a past time, as most people now carry mobile phones with them at all times.

Art installations using payphones in Houston

In 2018, an art installation called "The TréPhonos" was placed along Emancipation Avenue in Houston's Third Ward. The installation featured three pay phones, each with a unique artistic twist, designed to highlight the culture of the neighbourhood. The project was a collaboration between art engineer Matt Fries, sculptor Julian Luna, and photographer and social sculpture artist Jeanette Degollado.

The first phone, "TréMixTape", was located outside Wolf's Pawn and played music recorded by local musicians from the Third Ward. The phone was designed to look like a vintage radio and included speakers that played externally when the coin release lever was held down. The second phone, "TréSonic", was an abstract hexagonal sculpture located outside Crumbville, TX. It featured ambient noise recorded by artist Marc Furi as part of his soundscape anthropology project. The third phone, "TréSankofa", was shaped like a giant ear and was placed at the SHAPE Community Center. It featured the voices and stories of Third Ward residents, with the word "sankofa" referring to the protection of African American cultural history for future generations.

Each of the pay phones in the installation was solar-powered and designed to be a dynamic sculpture, even though the technology was seemingly obsolete. The artists chose to use pay phones because they are a symbol of public and private space and because they can be easily hacked. The project aimed to create a new kind of connection and to showcase the Third Ward community.

Online resources for locating payphones in Houston

Payphones are becoming increasingly rare, but there are still some online resources that can help you locate them. Here are some websites and strategies to try:

• Payphone Directories: Websites like the Pay Phone Directory provide lists of payphones by country, state, and city. While some listings may be out of date, you can still find working payphones in certain areas.
• The Payphone Project: This website, found at www.payphone-project.com/numbers/usa , is dedicated to payphone history and preservation and includes a list of payphones in the United States.
• Waymarking: This site allows you to find information on things near your location, including payphones. Search for "payphone" and enter your address or postal code to find nearby payphones reported by other users.
• Google Maps: Try searching "payphone near me" on Google Maps to find the nearest payphone locations. You can also search for payphones in a specific city or by ZIP code. Keep in mind that some payphones may not appear on Google Maps, and the ones listed may not be in service.
• Ask Local People: With the increasing scarcity of payphones, asking locals may be one of the best ways to find them. This is especially true for rural areas where online information may be limited.

Frequently asked questions