bxbby70 Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Hello all. I'm fairly new to the forum but really enjoy spending time on here. I've always been interested in learning about life in the 'good 'ole days' (as I'm only 24 years old) and have always had a passion for finding/learning about abandoned places. Anyway, I decided to stroll through Tomball this weekend to do some antique shopping and general browsing. While walking between shops, I stumbled upon this. Does anyone have an idea what used to be here and when? The figure on the pole appears to be some sort of old pizza restaurant sign if I had to guess. Maybe '70s/'80s? But the most interesting part of the area (in my opinion) was the safe-looking structure behind it. It's a door surrounded by brick and concrete that has clearly been picked at/worn down over time. Behind it (didn't take a picture unfortunately) was a set of stairs that was attached to the structure. I didn't go up the stairs, altough I guess I should have. There was no doorknob/handle on the door, but instead had what appeared to be a spot for a lock (similar to a standard locker). The floor in front of the door appeared to be extremely dated as well. All of this is located on a flat concrete slab in between shops that line a main road through the area. Does anyone know what the character on the pole was for? And more importantly, can anyone tell me what the safe-like structure might be? It's just interesting that it has made it this long and is sitting in its current state without having been torn down. There were no historical markers near the area. Anyway, here are some pictures: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronTiger Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 Looks like it was for a cigar shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bxbby70 Posted November 4, 2014 Author Share Posted November 4, 2014 Could be. Seems like a family pizza restaurant to me though. Mostly because of the plate it's holding. Hopefully someone will be able to confirm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Pragmatist Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 About 10 years back, that was a used car lot. I remember that much from when I was a kid. I do think there was a pizza place there at one point, but it's hard to remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty1979 Posted November 5, 2014 Share Posted November 5, 2014 My father in law was the mayor of Tomball until around 1982 or 1983. I will definitely ask him about this and look forward to hearing his response! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bxbby70 Posted November 5, 2014 Author Share Posted November 5, 2014 My father in law was the mayor of Tomball until around 1982 or 1983. I will definitely ask him about this and look forward to hearing his response! That would be great! Thank you. I'm looking forward to hearing what he has to say as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brhaltx Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 It was a car lot not so long ago, but I don't know what was there before. Call Bruce at the chamber of commerce; he'll know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonya Posted November 21, 2014 Share Posted November 21, 2014 Look up mysterious bank vault in Tomball. Also, the statue used to be a green pickle known as the pickle man. It was painted red, white and blue several years ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeightsNative Posted February 26, 2015 Share Posted February 26, 2015 It was originally a hotel way back when (30's maybe) and this concrete building is what is left of the hotel's vault.Then it became a furniture store after the hotel closed. The figure was a pickle originally for Canino's Italian fastfood place that did fried pickles back in the 50's or 60's so the pickle was for that then it evolved to this figuretoday but is still called Mr. Pickle by the locals. After Canino's closed it became a used car lot but the figureremained and has been kept up for some reason maybe because it is an icon of the past that is special to thelocals but that is just speculation. All is gone now except the figure and the vault of the hotel. Standing as areminder of days gone by and memories made on this site in Tomball, Texas.Most of the above information I received from the Tomball Chamber of Commerce.My uncle was a past mayor of Tomball and his wife's family had a hotel on Main Street in Tomball but I don't know if this was the hotel. He was mayor in the 60's and is now deceased... sure makes me curious as thereis none left in his family to ask... shame too... but anyway here you have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty1979 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 My family's roots go back to when Tomball was an Exxon camp. It's neat to hear stories about the town and the people who remember the glory days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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