Purpledevil

Thanks for the heads up, Fortune. I'll be on the lookout for activity around the house. I really am serious about that car. I'll take my truck and a towbar down there and bring it home tonight....much to the chagrin of the Mrs., I'm sure, lol. I hadn't seen any "Sale Pending" attachments to the sign, and I was just passing there Saturday morning. Do you have any association with the process, Fortune? Maybe be willing to put a bug in the right ear that I will gladly clear the car out of the garage and pay a fair price for it, as opposed to sending it across the scales for next to nothing? I'd be happy to send a "finder's fee" your way for the trouble. The house is a reminder of just how far out in the sticks that part of Yale was when it was built. The property goes back, I believe, to where Millerview would come through, if it had ever been connected. That's the end of YPV as well, so maybe a second community going in next door?

Nothing turns the heads of the passengers in the car next to you faster than blasting Cause & Effect from a full sized one ton pickup truck, lol. I've got a CD that has a bunch of the old 80s club hits on it including MCL, Info.Society, Samantha Fox, Black Box, A Split Second, and others. It really gathers a variable spectrum of reactions from those nearby if I'm in the mood and really have it cranked up, lol.

Gotcha. Didn't know who developed it, but yeah, Yale Park Village does sound right. The property that you speak of for $500k on Yale, south adjacent to YPV has been on the market for some time now. I've had my eye on it for a long time, as whoever buys it has a big surprise for them sitting in the garage. There is an old 50s model Chrysler sitting underneath all the junk packed on top of it. We moved into Suburban Terrace, two blocks north of this property, back in 1989. The house there next to the Mirador development had an old couple living in it back then, and the old man would leave the garage door open while he mowed the property. The car was stored in there even then, never moved. Just saw someone mowing down the property a couple of months ago and for the first time in probably many years, lo and behold the door was open and there sat the tail end of the old car peering out from under the pile. I'd love to make an offer on that car, if anyone ever buys the house.

I'll take that as a "no" on the offer, lol. The price will only go up as the new development inches closer.

There is an new community of homes that have been built on Yale between Tidwell and Parker, on the west side of the road. This community is gated, built on top of an old horse pasture, and was completed 3 or 4 years ago. I can't remember the name of it, but Rosamond dead ends into the side of it across Yale. That's been all the new major development that area has seen since the original neighborhoods around it were built in the mid 50s. I agree with you Fortune. The new development down by Barkwood is quite nice, but it's part of the "pocket development" that I fear will occur below Crosstimbers. Inside of the front gate is swell, outside of it is produces a nightly collection of wandering drunks, drugs deals, and those collecting money from whomever they can to get a piece of the drug dealing action going on nearby. It's no wonder San Julio and the Kingdom Hall have large gates surrounding them. If the new construction does not meander across Crosstimbers, then there's going to be issues. The area north of Crosstimbers and south of Tidwell is a high crime area, likely moreso than the part of IH south of Crosstimbers. North of that is Parkway, which we've discussed, and it's really no picnic either. Between Tidwell and Parker, Stuebner Airline and 45, is the pocket of 50s built one story 3 bedroom homes that still maintain a fair number of older longtime homeowners that have maintained the area as a mostly quiet spot where vigilance is king and crime is relatively low. My wife and I lived there for almost 20 years and thankfully only had one issue where a stolen car was dumped in our driveway.

It is, Parker is in the Parkway area, which includes Suburban Terrace, Wildrose Gardens, and another name that's escaping me right now. IH, as I've always known it, ends at Tidwell.

It was indeed, seems like it had to do with the water utilities. The old buildings were torn down this century, but it sat vacated for a few years prior to its demise, iirc. Drove down there this morning in route to breakfast, and sure enough, a huge swath of old houses have fresh plywood up and numbers painted on them around Booker T. This is nice and all, I'm saddened a little that it will be another longtime institution lost, and will be a positive change for the neighborhood, but the unnecessary hyperbole initiated in this thread is what sent me off into a tangent. I honestly hope this redevelopment stretches clear up Yale to Parker. When 45 eventually widens up near Parker, where my rental is sitting will likely end up as commercial frontage for the freeway. The sooner the better, lol. Stuu67, if you're looking for a property to snatch up along Yale, I've got a 3/1 I'd gladly dump on...er..negotiate a deal with you. That is, if you are truly "buying now". Bring cash.

Yep, 19514, I read it and am astounding that neither Wheatley nor Booker T. are to be with us much longer. Shame really, so much history. Such is progress in the big city. Hopefully some aspects of Washington can be incorporated into the new development as is reportedly now happening with Wheatley. Does Academy sell snow boots down here? Never thought I'd have to ask, lol. Stuu67: Drive down any street in Independence Heights and you'll see boarded up windows and caving in roofs. Who can tell the difference? Some of those old homes and businesses have been abandoned for years. A few more have now been boarded up, and I just didn't notice. Fortune: When you take into account that this property I referenced is surrounded by a closed elementary school, a closed furnIture store, a closed car lot converted into a barber shop/hair salon, a car wash complete with a crowd of 40oz sippin' patrons standing by, it's not hard to imagine why it has sat dormant all this time, and has not seen some type of development. That parcel stretches from almost Yale to N. Main. You'd think something more than just the newer convenience store they built over 10 years ago facing Yale, would've been established by now. It remains a vacant piece of land because of the undesirable surroundings. You are absolutely right, there are several large parcels of land available in Houston that are in superb areas, and this ain't one of them. Wipe nearly the whole neighborhood clean like what happened to Cottage Grove, and start all over? Well, now you may have something. If they start building little pocket communities with in the confines of the current Independence Heights, it won't be long before those beautiful new homes start resembling the old boarded up ones that used to stand in the same place. I couldn't agree more with your comment on The Heights. It has certainly changed a lot since the old days of overnight rapid gunfire, but the original comment of Independence Heights, Studewood, or whatever you want to call it, being less rundown and blighted than the "Proper Heights", voiced by Stuu67, is an absolute farce. The Heights was a rougher part of town back then, but it didn't have buildings just sitting there caving in on themselves like Studewood did, and still does. ...with the exception of Danburg's Department Store on Yale & 20th. That decrepit beast stood there rotting away for way too many years, lol.

Thanks for the tip, JCR. I'm always on the lookout for a new CFS to try out, and after previous conversations, I know there are a couple of HAIFers thrilled with the information in your post. Can you give me a cross street on 11th? Is it on East or West 11th? I don't know where Buchanan's is.

If you wait a little longer, those big beautiful homes will have spray paint covering them, and the special treat of crack rock scents waffling out the windows. Need an example of current renovations being done exactly as I've described? Drive by the Concord Church on Main. There's a historical building that is an original part of Studewood, rich in heritage. Work began on the restoration, and wouldn't you know it, they replaced all of the broken glasses, and cleaned up the exterior extensively...and then again...and then again...and then, you get the point. If land is so valuable in IH, please explain to me the parcel of land surrounded by Crosstimbers, Main, Yale, and East 45th. That's been a huge vacant lot for the better part of 20 years now. I'd also say that Booker T. will be demoed when snowflakes start dropping you know where, but Phyllis Wheatley's demise further proves nothing is sacred in this town. Good luck to the builders, and most importantly to the future homeowners looking to scoop up one of these big, beautiful homes that are to be built. Independence Heights is not for the faint of heart.

Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off of the ground over this statement. As someone that was reared in the Sunset Heights, directly across 610 from Studewood. ..err Independence Heights, this historical reflection (and whoever originated it) is inaccurate. The Heights has had some pretty rough patches throughout its history, but it can not hold a candle to the decay, desperation, and blight that is north of 610 and south of Crosstimbers. I am certainly glad to hear that the growth and redevelopment is moving north of the Loop. As a property owner in the area north of there, I can only hope that the growth and new development will continue northward so I can drop our rental in Parkway for more than the $80k it's currently appraised for. I hope any potential buyers know what they are facing. Take a look at San Julio Manor on Yale, right down the street from Barkwood. A collection of homes, in a gated community, that listed prices starting at only $225k on their sign. It was supposed to be the first in a line of redevelopment along Yale. Well, the only thing that has been developed along Yale is the windowless Kingdom Hall right down the street, and that's it. Barkwood is still a complete mess of an apartment complex, the businesses around San Julio are still loitering friendly, oh and let's not forget the various prostitutes and pimps that use San Julio's brick wall as a showcase backdrop. I don't mean to be all doom and gloom, but anyone "pioneering" in this area is going to have some surprises in store for them, if they're not familiar with the area. My best advice if you do buy? Lock your doors and stay in the gate after dark.

Filio, the "Colonial" was at 3310 Fulton. When I was a young man, it was a ballroom, having closed down as a movie theater, originally and creatively named the Fulton. My 10th grade year, they built an addition on it and reopened it as a theater, only it was a Mexican theater showing peliculas, and used the name Colonial. I always thought that double marquee was the ugliest thing. It has been demolished for awhile now, some 15-20 years, I guesstimate. http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/24877 Edit: forgot to add theaters original name of theater. Added Cinema Treasures link.

Holy Moses, you've got the McLendon Triple in there. That's awesome, Amsterdam. Thanks for thinking of the old Garden Oaks on Shepherd, back in the 80s. Back in the 80s, G.O. returned to English titles, abandoning the peliculas Mexicanas they had been showing for several years, and my wife (gf at the time) and I went to see Police Academy 2 there. She had never been to G.O. before, so I wanted to take her. I mean, after all, if you've ever been inside the theater you know she is one beautiful old girl. Anyway, about 45 minutes into the movie, two guys begin to bicker down front. Suddenly, they both stand up and start throwing punches. The smaller guy pulls out a knife, stabs the bigger dude, and needless to say the theater empties. Haven't set foot in G.O. since. I've been tempted to attend a service of the Grace Church that occupies the theater and pharmacy next door currently, just to see what it looks like now, after all these years. Sure wish you'd have gotten the old Airline and Shepherd Drive-Ins back when that video was produced. The bullseye neons that were on the old Airline were stunningly beautiful and the first thing you saw going northbound on 45 back then. Shepherd had the huge palm tree on its screen, facing Shepherd. I had a buddy that lived on Stuebner Airline, right behind it, and we snuck under that fence to see a show on a "few" occasions back in the early 80s, before it was closed and became Reddy Ice. Great job, bud. Thanks for the trip down memory lane!

If you are using a phone to access HAIF, try switching to the full site version. I have no problems posting pics, links, or what have you from the full version. The mobile version gives me problems posting anything except general text.

Gotcha. Well, Chick-Fil-A was in both Almeda & Northwest Malls. That's the only two originals I know. Greenspoint nor Northline had one. The new one on Crosstimbers was not part of the original Northline Mall's footprint. Let me know when you move on to Whataburger. There's a couple up on the northside that are mere concrete slabs now, and only the memories remain (like the one on Crosstimbers across from Mister Car Wash). Others, like the E. Crosstimbers location near Bauman, may be something else currently, but still have that distinctive look of an old Whataburger.

That's a mistake, IronTiger. Chick-Fil-A was mostly in the malls down here. Whataburger was primarily a standalone burger joint, and had some really cool looking locations like the two big W shaped buildings on Crosstimbers. I think you're doing your project a disservice by switching, but that's of course, just my opinion.

That's the way I've always heard it too. Another "pressure cooker" club like this is the old "Name Dropper" on Yale, just before Parker Rd. We used to live two blocks away from this little doozy, and our neighbor catty corner from us used to get dressed up in her little tight pants and heels, sache down the street around 11am, then come running back home around 3:30-4, ditch the get up, and be outside to greet her husband in the driveway donning a pair of sweat pants and tennis shoes, when he inevitably showed up at home around 5. My wife caught this going on daily, after we first moved to Parkway in the 90s, got me to start paying attention, then it continued until they subsequently divorced and moved out of the house. Gee, I wonder why? You never have to worry about the Name Dropper wrecking any more marriages, though. Caught fire and burned to the ground in the early 2000's, only the neon sign remained afterwards. With the widening of Yale last year, even that relic has been removed. There's very little trace of the ol' Dropper left now.

Infinitejim, pardon my nosiness but what building are you taking pictures from? I like the different perspective your shots give us. It's like we're hovering over Pierce Elevated. I certainly hope you'll continue posting these as Central makeover marches on. Are the finally completed with Mickey Leland now? It looks pretty well complete in the night shot, but this one took awhile.

Wow, Subsude, you never cease to amaze! That's the Windswept Inn building I remember. Certainly a far cry from what it looks like in its current incarnation as Tacos de Julio.

Good to know. I kind of figured as much, but it certainly didn't hurt to ask. Thank you both so much for the great information!

Thanks for the heads up, mkultra. I'd have been a bit startled myself upon my visit tomorrow. This is indeed my first visit to Julia Ideson, so everything will be completely foreign to me. That's why when Firebird mentioned it in his tip, I immediately thought of the downtown library, instead of this one. As horrible as this seems, I was blind to the fact that this resource even existed, and I'm a native. With my love of historical subjects, I'm surprised I never knew this library was in existence. Maybe a silly question, but I'd feeling even sillier showing up without knowing this in advance, but is my standard library card sufficient to check-out materials, or is that even allowed? I didn't see anything mentioned when I got the information on the library. Edit: Sunny's opened up my sophomore year in high school, and I remember it well. My great uncle used to set up a table there every weekend. It was quite a bit smaller, and not near as heavily Hispanic populated as it is currently. There is another old one, just south of West on the east side of Airline that's been there for years and years now, as well. Can not think of the name of it right now to save my life.

Wouldn't it, at the very least, be courteous to acknowledge that an example that you requested, was provided? I don't believe there were any stipulations given in your original statement, as to walkability, the freeway's immediate surroundIngs, or industry established. I'd think that's only right, Slick Vik.

Well that would've been a little embarrassing going to the wrong library! Thank you for correcting my misunderstanding. I've got the information for Julia Ideson jotted down and hope to go spend a portion of my Saturday perusing. Thank you again, Firebird! Specwriter, that's awesome. Guess I never had the looks you did. The parfait was always on my nickel, lol. That DQ closed within the last decade. It was always one of the better locations to me. It was the one I mentioned earlIer that is now a clinic. I used to avoid the one on E. Little York @ McGallion like the plague, when I still lived in northside. The one on Aldine Bender is always good, and has very attentive and friendly service.

Thank you very much for the tip, Firebird. I'm going to take your advice and take a trip to the downtown library. Much obliged! I remember Jojo's very well, just not this location. When I was younger, we frequented the one on W. 34th, which is now a Denny's. Champ's used the same strategy, so to speak. I spent several a late night (early morning) in Champ's, trying to sober up over a mound of bacon. Drunk as we were, we'd make spitballs with the paper the straw comes in, and fire away at the train roaming around the ceiling. Lord, some of the things I did when I was young, are quite embarrassing now. Glad my son has more sense than I did, at least in that respect, lol.

Ground Patty! Thank you Firebird! My mystery is solved. So the Red Lobster WAS next door to Pizza Inn, only on the other side of it. Now a car dealership that sells higher end autos. Thank you for the insight, and verifying mkultra's memory of the Red Lobster. I had no idea that Champ's was anything before it was Champ's. I had always thought they were the original occupants of the now Mambo's. Firebird, one more for you, if you don't mind. The old strip center with the car wash in the parking lot, I assume that's 163 West Dyna, has a "Huracán Discoteca" as the big tenant, covering a large swath of the center. What was that before? It seems like it was a department store of some sort, and it has those tall sign poles facing Airline, with big flood lights on it, but without any type of signage on top. What was there originally? Edit: There was also a DQ on the east side of Airline, between West and Dyna.That one was open up until the early 2000's, now a clinic of some sorts. KFC, same side of Airline in front of the present day Family Dollar, is now a taqueria.