The arboretum was first conceived by Robert A. Vines, and in 1951 park land was set aside by the City Council for the Houston Botanical Society. (Today's arboretum is somewhat smaller than its initial  site.)
Robert A. Vines initiated the creation of the arboretum, and in 1951, the city council designated parkland for the Houston Botanical Society. The current arboretum is smaller than originally intended.