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6 replies to this topic
#1
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Posted Sunday, October 2, 2011 at 1:23 PM
I was picking a friend up from the Bayou Lofts at 915 Franklin this weekend and I noticed a very old sky bridge that connects 915 Franklin with 917 Franklin on approximately the 5th floor. 915 Franklin was built between 1910-11. 917 Franklin was built in 1904. The bridge appears to be added to both after the original construction. It would be interesting to know when and why it was built. It is also visible on Google Street View.
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#2
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Posted Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 7:43 AM
If I remember correctly, the law firm that occupied 917 Franklin did the legal work for Southern Pacific at 915 Franklin. The bridge was built for easier access. I will dig out my files to confirm and elaborate.
#3
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Posted Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 1:26 PM
That is awsome. I never notice it before, and I even worked on a remodel in the Southern Pacific building back in the 80's before they moved out. I do remember a watch jeweler on the first floor that had only one customer......Southern Pacific.
Good Find Chris
Good Find Chris
#4
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Posted Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 12:55 PM
Southern Pacific's address was 913 Franklin. And yes, the watch company next door could be accessed through the SP lobby. All railroad watches were bought and repaired there, at least for the Houston area.
On the other side of the watch company was J.N. Taub Tobacco.
I remember the sky bridge but it was just "there". It wasn't a novelty at all.
On the other side of the watch company was J.N. Taub Tobacco.
I remember the sky bridge but it was just "there". It wasn't a novelty at all.
#5
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Posted Wednesday, November 23, 2011 at 2:01 PM
Wow, that is a good catch. Growing up the first sky (pedestrian) bridges I can remember were the two that went across (Crawford Street I believe?) between the St. Joseph Hospital buildings (now both demolished). I remember always wanting to go inside just to walk across it.
#6
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Posted Monday, December 26, 2011 at 5:08 PM
Here is a picture of what is left of the watch company Little Frau mentions. The space is currently vacant, but was Franklin Street coffee house for awhile. The book, Images of America: Houston in the 1920's and 1930's, has a great exterior picture of the watch shop in 1928. The shop was simply called Houston Watch Co. I have also included and interior pic of the sky bridge.
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#7
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- Location:Collinwood, Collinsport, Maine
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Posted Monday, December 26, 2011 at 9:13 PM
Thanks for those pics...I agree, what an interesting find! I love the look of that watch shop.
Edited by NenaE, Monday, December 26, 2011 at 9:13 PM.
In Will Hogg's 1929 City Planning Commission Report, Hare & Hare's advise on adopting a city plan to include zoning & parks, ..."the people of Houston and their officials will have to decide whether they are building a great city or merely a great population."
