Sunnyside Sunnyside was one of Houston’s first communities platted in the early 1900s just for African Americans. The area was annexed by the City of Houston in 1956 but remained without basic City services such as running water, sewer, paved roads, and drainage. Due to civic pride in the area, the Sunnyside Civic Club was formed to address some of the issues of basic services. The area was serviced by a volunteer Fire Department.