281 Area Code Postcard

Area code 713 was one of the original area codes established in October, 1947. On March 19, 1983, the area was divided: the Houston metropolitan area retained the 713 code, but the surrounding area changed to 409. On November 2, 1996, area code 713 was split into two parts divided by Beltway 8, for the most part. Addresses inside the beltway kept the 713 area code while those outside the beltway were assigned the new 281 area code.[1] Later, on January 16, 1999, area code 832 was created as an overlay for the entire combined area. The former 281/713 boundary was "erased", and new phone numbers may be assigned as any of the three area codes regardless of physical location.