Search the Community

I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Daily Post dated March 31, 1896 and came across a historic park located in The Heights. Edit: The park is named after Edward L. Coombs (E.L. Coombs.) Coombs' Park, Harry Clifford, Mgr. 3-Sensations-3 Three Thousand Dollar Engagement 1- The Diving Hors. 2- Dr. Carver. Great Rifle Shot. 3- The Clown Horse. Commencing April 1, Five Days Only Admission - - - - - Fifty Cents. April 6, 1896: At Coombs' Park Thousands Delighted! Every promise fulfilled! Great Success of Carver .. and his .. Diving Horses Re-engaged for Five Days, Commencing Wednesday and Finishing on Sunday at 3 p.m. Daily. At Popular Prices: Adults .... 25 cents Children .... 15 cents Great Pigeon Shooting Match on Sunday, Carver to kill ninety live birds out of one hundred. If ninety-five birds are killed he is to received $100, and $10 for each additional bird. Dr. Carver's record is 153 birds at thirty yards rise. November 29, 1895: Bicycle Races. There was considerable sprinkling of people out at Coombs’ park to witness the races this afternoon, in spite of considerable sprinkling of rain. The track was heavy but the sport was good all the same, in spite of the slow time made. Following are the summaries: First race, one mile, novice, first prize, bamboo fishing pole; second prize, umbrella stand-- Second race, mile and one-quarter, for class-a riders-- Third race, one mile match between professionals-- Fourth race, one-half mile, for boys under 15-- A City of Houston map dated 1895 that I found online that outlines Coombs Park. The below link from Houstorian has more in-depth details if anyone wants to read more about Coombs Park. https://houstorian.wordpress.com/2007/11/02/coombs-park-and-heights-natatorium/

Oh yeah - the swimming pool/baths, too. In 1917 there was an entry for Bismark Park that reads "see Eden Park" -- I can't find anything about a Bismark Park from prior years (maybe it was just a short-lived name) but also not much more about Eden Park except for an ice cream and ice cream cone manufacturer (Eden Park Say-So Cone Factory - high grade ice cream and ice cream cones, 314 Dallas Ave.). Also, the shooting gallery was the Amos Williams Shooting Gallery and the hamburger stand was run by someone named Charles Kennedy.

I was wondering if anyone has heard of Eden Park in Houston? The artifact was found near Magnolia Park and dates 1910-1930's? It may be from somewhere else. Top says EDEN Middle has a 4 and bottom has Park on it. Could this be from a Houston park?

But one thing strikes me, if Luna Park was once called "Colonial Park" then it would show up in the directories for that period wouldn't it? I recall it being also named Venice but not Colonial. So may questions.

I was reading the newspaper The Houston Post dated June 7, 1919 and came across an amusement park called Golf Amusement Park located on the corner of San Felipe (then Dallas) and Bailey streets. For Social Outings Real Place to Chat and Dance Go to the Golf Amusement Park on Sundays or any other evenings, under the shady trees and in the cool breezes. Everything is pleasant for Old and Young to enjoy themselves. Playing of all kind for the children. Dancing School in connection, if you want to learn the latest steps to see Alfred Reed, Dancing Instructor at the Golf Amusement Park, corner of San Felipe and Bailey streets. Alex – Manager Dee – Manager -Originators- Coming! Coming! Saturday night, July 28, the Chauffeurs' picnic and big band contest between Richardson's Jazz Six of Houston and Happy Six of Galveston, at Golf Amusement Park, San Felipe Street. Prizes for the one holding the lucky number. This park is now under new management and good order is guaranteed. Committee: L.N. Richardson, Dan Lewis, G.A. Allen, and Jesse Curtis. Music will be furnished by two bands and Davis' Louisiana Jazz Orchestra will play for dancing each night. Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel, Whip, and other concessions have been installed and additional hippodrome features have been secured, which promise to make this gala occasion indeed. The promoters announce a program with a millions new and novel features. Warning! Warning! You'll miss the time of your life if you miss coming out to the Grand Spring Opening at the Gulf Amusement Park. March 5-15, Inclusive. Two big bands – Davis' Louisiana Jazz for dancing. Big Street Parade and Style Show. Millions of New and Novel Features. Management: Young Men's Color Carnival Assn. Alex Manager, President

What's the story with the Electric Park in downtown Houston? Wasn't this simply a name change from the other 1900s Houston park? Either the Highland Park that was located under the present-day Interstate-45 highway? Or the Colonial Park near Fannin? If I recall correctly, Highland Park was developed by an electric street car company. The names ad up, but not the locations? This ad from The Houston Post dated August 15, 1907 lists the location: San Jacinto, between Caroline and Prairie. The Houston Post dated February 18, 1906 has the article: The New Electric Park and Theater The Plans of the Building and a Forecast of Attractions for Houston's New Amusement Place. Matters in connection with the new summer theater and park, "Electric Park," are being rapidly pushed and soon the contractors will be at work constructing the buildings and laying out the grounds. Herewith is given the architect's drawing of the front elevation of the park, showing the theater entrance and the grand stand. In regard to the light, Electric park is to be "electric" indeed. More than enough power will be turned on to supply the lights and the place will be as bright as day after dark. The contract for the state appliances has been let to Clancy & Co. of Buffalo N.Y. but wherever possible the management intends to use home materials and employ home labor. A total investment of at least $20,000 seems likely from present indications and the figure may run as high as $25,000.

Per the news articles: http://uhclthesignal.com/wordpress/2013/02/11/houston-we-have-a-potential-theme-park/

Does anyone remember the Winterland Ice Skating Rink located at 2400 Norfolk? This is right off of Kirby kind of behind the Ninfas. The owners name was Charles or Chuck Rolland, I believe. If anyone has a pic to share that would be cool. I would really like to see what the place looked like. I am doing some research on the early 60s in Houston and that place plays a big part. Thanks a bunch!

Does anyone remember these old amusement places in Houston? what they were called? where there may be pictures of them? The ski slope at the intersection of 610 West Loop and Southwest Freeway which later became... The waterslide at the intersection of 610 West Loop and Southwest Freeway which finally became... Lone Star Amphitheatre at the intersection of 610 West Loop and Southwest Freeway OR HOW ABOUT... Malibu go-cart raceway and arcade at the Southwest Freeway Games-People-Play...I believe it was on Fondren....big 80's hangout with arcade, waterslides and go carts.. The little go cart place off westpark (Southwest Freeway ran in front of it)..the track was lined with red and white tires...

In the news recently, it was made known that Landry's is getting all of their financial "ducks in a row" in what looks to be an attempt to purchase something big. Citykid added in another post: This leaves me wondering Houstonians, what theme park would we want next? Which would we benefit the most from? Where would we put it?

Here's another ad from the 1989 Houston Post. I have no idea where this was exactly, no address given, and its all indoors, so there's no obvious signs of where it was. I've heard Jungle Jim's briefly operated at least the old Fame City at Memorial City Mall (and maybe the current Funplex). While trying to find out where this was, there seemed to be a large motel where Allen Samuels Chevrolet is now (torn down between 1989 and 1995), but I can't find what that was, either...

Hi everyone, I'm not an architect (my college roommate/friend is though, at aTm!) but I've noticed that you guys sometimes mention the now defunct Game's People Play on 1960. This was an iconic part of my childhood as well, as I often remember going by it all the time when going to the Champion's Country Club Pool. I also remember getting to go there a couple of times. I started a Wikipedia entry to somehow cement this in history, however, my first mistake was taking a google satellite view of the place (which is still clearly visible and crazy to see) I got around that, however, my article has no references and may or may not be notable. the only search engine links are to forum entries, which may not justify itself as a reference. I could use newspapers, but I haven't made it to a library (what are those these days anyway?) Check it out at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Games_People_...(amusement_park). If anybody is more wiki savy than me or thinks they could help, go for it!!

I don't know how long this has been in the works, CityKid stumbled across this. The official name for the theme park is 'Grand Texas'. more here: Tomball Popturri

WHere was it? I know it only was around for about a year and a half but does anyone know anything more about it?

Does anyone have any pics of the old Peppermint Park? I loved that place! I remember going there for a birthday party, it was awesome!!! Moderator edit: According to Wikipedia (user generated database, could be incorrect) Peppermint Park had several locations during its existence. 1958 located in the Sears parking lot, Pasadena, TX. 1963 located on the Gulf Freeway, near Gulfgate Shopping Center. 1972 located at 2701 North Loop West. 1979 located on Highway 59 at Beltway 8. 1986 located at 17164 Blackhawk Blvd. In Friendswoods, TX.

Ok, I remember along time ago I went to this indoor fun place with my family. It had laser tag (i think), a carousel, arcade games and alot of other stuff. Does anyone know what im talking about? Sorry I couldnt provide more details as I barely remember.

I saw a commercial about "the world's largest indoor theme park" (or something like that) in the Astrodome. Got a bit excited until they said it would open in June, so I knew it couldn't be anything big or we would have heard about it long ago. Turns out it's a summer thing (June & July). Probably a bunch of rinky-dink, gypsy run carnival rides. However it got me thinking, do you think maybe they're testing the waters for something more grand and permanent?

My memories: My very, very earliest memory is riding the tram that takes you back to the parking lot. It was a warm evening; almost closing time, and I was clutching my stuffed hippopotamus that my parents bought me at the gift shop. I remember the glowing lights of the entrance. I loved the live shows in the theater in the Texas Cyclone area: Midsummer Night Scream, the Chinese Acrobats, Sid & Marty Krofft live. Fright Nights/Fright Fest. Every time I left feeling a little disturbed because of all the fake blood and bodies, but I loved it. Holiday In The Park with the melting snowhill. The Horizon theater. I was always afraid to lay down because, 1. it was scary and 2. because it was dirty. My cousin's husband leaving before everyone else because they weren't selling beer and one of the straps on his "Tiddy's" broke.

I searched and no one had mentioned this place before it seems. Do you guys remember the miniature golf, arcade, and rides here? There was an area where the arcade is now, an entrance to the upstairs area by the food court, and one entrance to the upstairs along the main hall.

Does anyone remember a waterslide that was on 610 & 59 somewhere?