Memories Of East End

[Vertigo58]

You're probably thinking of the lumber yard that used to be at Lawndale and Evergreen, and which is now a pawn shop. A few of the old lumber loft buildings are still standing, as is an old shingled shed covered in vines. It sits on a large lot and dates to the around the turn of the 20th century, as I've researched the nabe a bit at the Ideson library. I live not too far behind it and figure a lot of my house probably came from that lumber yard. There was also an S&P depot nearby at the time so the location near the tracks was logical.

Of course you know that if you keep heading East on Lawndale where it meets Broadway is a large open concrete area was always used for teenagers to test drive while in Drivers Ed classes. Our teacher would drive us from SF Austin to test drive around that spot.

Now directly in front of this concrete area (Broadway) is where the beautiful Broadway Theater sat. I tried digging for a photograph of it was I know someone posted on Haif a few months ago. Built in 1947 and we used to see good old monster movies there up until about 1973. "Destroy all Monsters" was kind of like the final curtain call as far as family entertainment went. I dont recall if it ever went porno though?

We almost died when we learned it had been torn done and worse of all....for a freeway that never was built! To this day you can still see the mountain of dirt they piled up for an over pass that never happened! That's how screwed up our city has always been. The freeway was going to dive right onto Lawndale. Can you just picture Lawndale as a freeway? Sure would like to know what the real story was on why the plans were scrapped? Maybe business's at the time would sue or who knows? I think Fred Hofeinz was mayor about this time. Maybe he would know? All a kid knows is they flatted a great place to see movies on the huge screen. They used to raffle off bikes and stuff during intermission. The whole interior was very plush and elegant. I remember the velvet burgundy roped off areas like leading to the balcony. The big red curtains would open slowly when the double features began. The Dr Pepper cups had the little clock logo on them.

It was fun waiting for a parent to pick you up in front under the tiny twinkling lights from the marquee above you. The posters in front and inside the lobby always kept you in suspense to see the next week's monster film like "The Mushroom People" or "Planet of Blood". Best sound's too when someone would open the door to exit you could hear Godzilla rasing cane inside!

[musicman]

We almost died when we learned it had been torn done and worse of all....for a freeway that never was built! To this day you can still see the mountain of dirt they piled up for an over pass that never happened! That's how screwed up our city has always been. The freeway was going to dive right onto Lawndale. Can you just picture Lawndale as a freeway?

you'll have to look up on houston freeways....the freeway story is there....it would have only been on lawndale for a short distance and head over to harrisburg.

[Vertigo58]

Those photos of old Near East End were fantastic Stexan!

I need to start searching the archives at moms to add to the list. It's amazing Ray Hay's Broiler Burger is still there. You must remember the Ice Cream Parlor next door to Leonard's Dept Store? The building is still there but has been totally renovated. I had did a small story on it in another thread. I will never forget the lady who waited on us. She always wore that white nurse looking uniform when she served ice cream. I loved the Pineapple Freeze, mmmmmmmmmmm!!!!!

Name of Ice Parlor above was drum roll.....Heap-O-Cream!

Will never forget the lady with her orthopedic white shoes.

Have we discussed Bert Wheeler's Liquor store right across the street? Here is where all the local drunk's would stagger in to buy their favorite bottle of moonshine. Back in the 80's it was always busy especially on weekends many drunks used to hang out in the back field but they minded their own business. The joint would really swing on holiday's you could see every person you wouldnt even think swigged down the stuff in this place. Most were like coaches you knew as a kid so it was like busted for them and wake-to-reality for us kids! ha ha! Harper Valey PTA it was, even local pastors would be getting into their cars with a bottle of Old Harper, very discreetly.

Scary thing is now they are us! Ha ha!

PS, the place still hops but under a new management of course. Who would think a liquor store would be so synonymous in East End. hic-cup!

[Vertigo58]

Had to slap this in too!

Original Jack in the Box at corner of Telephone and Dumble and I mean right on the edge of the sidewalk of Dumble it seemed. Had outdoor tables and one of those cool old closed in telephone booths/swinging doors with an actual phone book dangling inside.

Many big after school (Jackson Jr High) fights occurred in the parking lot. Too many kids had to wait for buses and always was the perfect storm for the local mayhem. Jack's head had been crushed in by prankster's and was eventually torn down and built new around 1980? to area further back to present location.

Go Leopards! Gang fight!

[VicMan]

Hey Vertigo, you shouldn't hot link pictures. It seems that someone replaced the pic...

[Vertigo58]

Hey Vertigo, you shouldn't hot link pictures. It seems that someone replaced the pic...

bizarre? I once could can see Jack?

[VicMan]

bizarre? I can Jack?

The image was replaced by a man with no shirt on (He seems to have no pants, but the image gets no lower than the bellybutton) and a spider for a head. The image says "I have been stealing bandwidth"

Get a photobucket account, upload the desired picture, and link to that picture.

[Vertigo58]

The image was replaced by a man with no shirt on (He seems to have no pants, but the image gets no lower than the bellybutton) and a spider for a head. The image says "I have been stealing bandwidth"

Get a photobucket account, upload the desired picture, and link to that picture.

wow, that was quite ugly. Seems they should block from internet period, oh well. We'll just have to reply on memory too bad for younger Haifsters.

[Vertigo58]

Offenhauser Company at 2201 Telephone Road near 45 South approx 3 blocks north. This company has been here since 1933.

I thought for sure they would have folded years ago but the place is alive and is as busy as ever. When you pass by early in the morning when its still dark, you can see the whole gigantic building lit up brightly. It still looks like 1933. No joke. In a cool way though. Front entry has a 1930-40's type of design. Steel and aluminum panelling like the way the did back then. Apparently they show no signs of slowing down either. I always wanted to walk around inside only got a little past huge gate on side as a teen. It was cavernous. Really reminds one of an aircraft barrack. Check it out on day/early morn. This is old and historic near East End as original as it gets.

http://www.offenhauser.com/index1.htm

[silverartfox]

Offenhauser Company at 2201 Telephone Road near 45 South approx 3 blocks north. This company has been here since 1933.

I thought for sure they would have folded years ago but the place is alive and is as busy as ever. When you pass by early in the morning when its still dark, you can see the whole gigantic building lit up brightly. It still looks like 1933. No joke. In a cool way though. Front entry has a 1930-40's type of design. Steel and aluminum panelling like the way the did back then. Apparently they show no signs of slowing down either. I always wanted to walk around inside only got a little past huge gate on side as a teen. It was cavernous. Really reminds one of an aircraft barrack. Check it out on day/early morn. This is old and historic near East End as original as it gets.

http://www.offenhauser.com/index1.htm

There are some handsome silvery metal relief sculptures in Art Deco style on the front of the building near the roof line.

[musicman]

There are some handsome silvery metal relief sculptures in Art Deco style on the front of the building near the roof line.

i want those....they are so classy.

[Vertigo58]

It would be interesting to see which companies in Houston were rivals to Howard Hughes Company near by. Could this have been one of them? We may never know.

When I see the front of Offenhaueser it looks like Howard Hughes could have stood in front for a photo. It has that shimmery, 1930's appearance to it.

Wonder if Schlumberger (across the freeway) had anything to do with this company?

You see how all of these big business's were nearby, that is why this nabe really was like a small village once. Several of the kids we went to school with had parents and grandparents that owned and ran several of the little shops along Telephone Rd from 45 overpass to Dumble where Leonard's was. Most were side by side where Weingarten's was to Fourcade area.

By the late 70's bigger retails put them all out of business and everyone fled or so it seemed. Only a few die hards remain.

[silverartfox]

i want those....they are so classy.

Yeah, me too! Sadly, any kind of art or architectural salvage from the Art Deco/Art Moderne era is becoming increasingly scarce and is priced way beyond my pocketbook.

There are still a few small commercial buildings from the '20's/'30's on Telephone and other "Near East End" streets that are truly hidden gems. Most are disguised under multiple layers of fake stucco, paint, cheap siding, bad signs, etc. Obviously, their owners have no knowledge of historic preservation; their education in aesthetics is limited to the study of the color green, as in money.

[Dan the Man]

There are still a few small commercial buildings from the '20's/'30's on Telephone and other "Near East End" streets that are truly hidden gems.

Though it may not be technically on Telephone, my favorite old commercial building in the area is that old Norman French grocery store with the turret. That building is so cool!

Another favorite is that red brick building on the east side of Telephone, just north of Jefferson (I think?) . I'll bet it used to be a car dealership, since it has these huge arched windows that have unfortunately been filled in. If someone were to open them back up, they'd have a nice light-filled space with a high ceiling. I think it currently houses a beauty shop or nail salon, but I've always thought that building would make a nice restaurant.

[silverartfox]

Though it may not be technically on Telephone, my favorite old commercial building in the area is that old Norman French grocery store with the turret. That building is so cool!

Another favorite is that red brick building on the east side of Telephone, just north of Jefferson (I think?) . I'll bet it used to be a car dealership, since it has these huge arched windows that have unfortunately been filled in. If someone were to open them back up, they'd have a nice light-filled space with a high ceiling. I think it currently houses a beauty shop or nail salon, but I've always thought that building would make a nice restaurant.

I lived in Eastwood as a child. The stucco building with the turret housed the ABC Grocery and other shops. I believe it was discussed in another thread.

If memory serves, the red brick building (a favorite of mine, too) was the Superb Laundry and Cleaners. Part of each window opened awning-style for ventilation. It's my guess that, if it's ever restored, the owners will have to haul away tons of contaminated soil. Back in the day, dry-cleaning establishments disposed of dirty solvents every which way - including dumping it out the back door!

[Vertigo58]

Now this might throw everyone for a curve. The small strip with the turret building was duplicated throughout this area. Not all had a turret but the scheme was along the same idea.

Start at Telephone and Lockwood Drive where the small strip center w/turret is, go north to Polk make a left (1 block) and on Polk at Fashion street is the other very similar strip business center.

It is well kept up. Miracle it is still there. It is near the Knights of Columbus Hall/Bldg. Near the car wash with palms lining the street. Someone, somehow managed to restore and keep this fragment as it was or with minor modernization details. I think it serves as a clinic or resale boutique. This is how old Telephone Road used to look like in its hey day.

I hope you can see this mapquest link.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formt...S&geodiff=1

[Vertigo58]

Winkler Babtist Church

Located directly behind the present Home Depot and 1 block over on corner of Winkler. This church was built approx 1976 and has a very unique design facing the street. Round building with what is a huge bible opened up with a page turning above the entrance. At least I have not seen another like this in Houston since? Was really neat when it was new and my old best friend attended the school in back. This was where they would send bad kids whose parents had $. They used to pack em in but as with the rest of the area, everyone pulled up roots and headed away from the neighborhood. Church lost $ and now stands as (not sure what).

Side note: This is a very dangerous intersection, site of numerous serious accidents. No stop lights. Scene of my 1st bad accident in this very spot. Anyway this church is only 30 years old. Short life.

[Vertigo58]

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer located at Lawndale & Jocelyn st. This church has been around since forever. Very surprising to see that many of the long time parishoners still attend services there. It has maintained its orginal design as well. It was placed in a very nice location too. Situated towards the back of the lot when providing the large green space in front with only the brick illuminated sign. Miracle still read in English too. Locked in time but that is a-ok, as long as the people are happy.

This is a snippet of what the neighborhood was really like for decades. Hope they hang in there.

[Vertigo58]

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer located at Lawndale & Jocelyn st. This church has been around since forever. Very surprising to see that many of the long time parishoners still attend services there. It has maintained its orginal design as well. It was placed in a very nice location too. Situated towards the back of the lot when providing the large green space in front with only the brick illuminated sign. Miracle still read in English too. Locked in time but that is a-ok, as long as the people are happy.

This is a snippet of what the neighborhood was really like for decades. Hope they hang in there.

Bat's in your bellfry?

The Church of Christ directly across from this church has finally added nice lighting to the bellfry it once had in its "glory days" (no pun intended). Located Lawndale @ Sunnyland. Had been darkened for over maybe 20 years? See it at night and it makes you think you are not in Houston but in Cape Cod or the like. Well with a little imagination.

The commercial building on 45 South @ Broadmoor has been remodeled for the 100th time or so it seems. Ironically the office building smack across the street had been plowed into by an 18 wheeler. Must have freaked out everyone inside. The small building I mention has been there for over 50 years. Once worked as a 15 yrs old kid doing ..urgh telemarketing here. Easy work considering your a teen and just 2 blocks from home. Helping Hands Hospital was the name of the business. Very short lived and has closed and reopened hundreds of times since. Was hoping to see torn down and ...

actually this whole strip of land all the way to Dumble would be an EXCELLENT spot for a mega huge gas station ala Racetrack. Serious. Cannot beleive no developer has grabbed these empty lots for years? The old homes were removed decades ago so its ready to build on.

[Vertigo58]

The Enterprise Bank building on other side of Eastwood Transit Center or 45 at Dumble street. I do not recall anyone even discussing that side of 45?

This bank building has changed names so many times it's dizzying. If memory serves well it was built around 1980ish? Sounds about right since I knew an old HS girlfriend that worked there as soon as it opened. The building itself was a very much welcomed addition and everyone was hoping the trend would continue on that side all the way to Schlumberger then the Texas crash happened and maybe thats what deterred any other ideas of new construction? May never know. That area of streets has always been a mysterious warehouse and trucking distribution area for ages. The streets have neat names like Canada Dry. The carpet place was just recently enlarged so maybe thats a good sign?

Now this area would be a perfect spot for high rise living and would be such a grand sight to see. Residents would have it made as far as proximity to everything, U of H, downtown and beyond. Developers need to revisit and realize the potential for this ideal local. I believe the former Enterprise Bank building is vacant for now.

Imagine if that were converted to living quarter's? Anything is possible!

[crunchtastic]

The Enterprise Bank building on other side of Eastwood Transit Center or 45 at Dumble street. I do not recall anyone even discussing that side of 45?

Now this area would be a perfect spot for high rise living and would be such a grand sight to see. Residents would have it made as far as proximity to everything, U of H, downtown and beyond. Developers need to revisit and realize the potential for this ideal local. I believe the former Enterprise Bank building is vacant for now.

Imagine if that were converted to living quarter's? Anything is possible!

Back when all the work was done to the Spur and Calhoun, it made access to that corner a mess. I can't imagine how a conversion to residential could be even remotely cost effective, or attractive. Ideal locale? Essentially, you'd be living in a corner with one way in and out, boxed in by a small freeway interchange and a rail yard. Too many other, better devlelopment opportunities close by if I wanted to live in a light - industrial area.

[Vertigo58]

Back when all the work was done to the Spur and Calhoun, it made access to that corner a mess. I can't imagine how a conversion to residential could be even remotely cost effective, or attractive. Ideal locale? Essentially, you'd be living in a corner with one way in and out, boxed in by a small freeway interchange and a rail yard. Too many other, better devlelopment opportunities close by if I wanted to live in a light - industrial area.

Very true.

I just realized that this area would be great for U of H to expand the film studios! Since the Channel 8 studio is just across the way it sort of makes sense. Now I can picture a vast building to accomodate local film students and productions. Just a thought.

[Vertigo58]

Hope you don't mind Nena! Thanks to you we finally found a photo of this long forgotten East End theater yep right at Lawndale and 75th!

Still there to this day, although I think it's a church or something. If only it could be restored! Its neat how the evening sunsets on the front as it has for decades. This is real true old Houston history people!

Can't help but wonder when was The Last Picture Show? Ja ja!

Thanks Nena!

[Vertigo58]

Then there was the well known Near EE Don Gordon Theater, home to hundreds of B horror flicks and the early 70's Karate movie craze. All this time we thought the theater was named after some film actor but it was named after the owners two sons! Still there to this day but as a house of worship. Totally remuddled. Just love that old neon!

Thanks again Nena!

[NenaE]

Anyone remember this place? Or it's original name? It was an auto import showroom on I45-south, around Fingers & U.of H. The pic is old, taken many yrs. ago, direction is heading north, towards downtown, on 45. Don't know if it's still standing. Liked the "googie-style" roof.

I also remember a taxidermist on the other side, 2 story bldg. with a big picture window, polar bear standing on its hind legs.

P.S. "Happy B-Day" Vertigo58 & Stolitx !

[Vertigo58]

Torn down about 2 months ago Nena!

Got me thinking of a Prince's Hamburger now (was next door)

[Subdude]

Anyone remember this place? Or it's original name? It was an auto import showroom on I45-south, around Fingers & U.of H. The pic is old, taken many yrs. ago, direction is heading north, towards downtown, on 45. Don't know if it's still standing. Liked the "googie-style" roof.

I also remember a taxidermist on the other side, 2 story bldg. with a big picture window, polar bear standing on its hind legs.

P.S. "Happy B-Day" Vertigo58 & Stolitx !

I don't think I ever saw it new, but I would love to see it restored to its Googie glory.

[Idylweird]

Anyone remember this place? Or it's original name? It was an auto import showroom on I45-south, around Fingers & U.of H. The pic is old, taken many yrs. ago, direction is heading north, towards downtown, on 45. Don't know if it's still standing. Liked the "googie-style" roof.

Checker Imports. I never visited when it was in that building, but I do remember lusting after Italian convertibles when they moved across the freeway and further south (to what is now the Acemart restaurant supply location).

[marmer]

Wow! I remember them as a Lancia dealer, but they must have been a TVR dealer, too. TVR is a limited-production British sports-car maker, almost unknown outside gearhead circles.

That would have been a great Houston trivia question!

[Idylweird]

Wow! I remember them as a Lancia dealer, but they must have been a TVR dealer, too. TVR is a limited-production British sports-car maker, almost unknown outside gearhead circles.

That would have been a great Houston trivia question!

I remember Lancias and Fiats. Don't know about TVR.