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Found another, cool old Alfred C. Finn building! From the newspaper The Houston Post dated November 23, 1924. These Men Head Bank Here To these men go the credit for the rapid advancement made by Guaranty National Bank of Houston, one of the leading financial institutions in this section of the reliable banks in the Southwest. The new home of this institution will be formally opened Monday. John Dyer, President W.L. Dyer, Vice President E.C. Roberts, Vice President A.B. Jones, Cashier Miss E.L. Meyer, Assistant Cashier Guaranty National to Occupy New Quarters at 306 Main Street Houston Institution to have one of most modern homes in Southwest The removal of the Guaranty National Bank from the Hermann building to its own quarters in a new three-story structure at 306 Main street marks the partial culmination of plans for the institution's expansion, beginning back in 1914 when the present officials assumed control-- Plans for the new quarters were submitted by Alfred C. Finn, Houston architect, in competition with numerous Easter firms of architects and contractors--

Keystone #9C 1120 Texas $1,850 / month (all utilities included) http://www.gunn.net/keystone-exterior-2.jpg Come to Keystone Lofts and find Downtown Houston living at its finest! Located on the corner of San Jacinto and Texas, the Keystone Lofts are centrally located in Downtown Houston, putting you in walking distance from all of your favorite attractions. Wood floors flow throughout the unit, complete with exposed ductwork, beam ceilings and large light-filled windows with views that stretch past Minute Maid Stadium. Just off the spacious living room, the kitchen comes complete with breakfast bar, granite counter tops, under-mount lighting, stainless appliances and plenty of storage. A three quarters wall separates the guest bedroom / office from the master suite that features a unique concrete column and large walk-in closet with built-in storage and a full length mirror. The bathroom features beautiful porcelain tile floor and tile surround, a granite countertop with room with vanity area and a shower / Jacuzzi tub combination. This unit is in walking distance to all of Downtown Houston's attractions including the YMCA for a workout or swim, the Discovery Green Park, Minute Maid Stadium, The Flying Saucer, the Theater District and the Houston Pavillions. click here for more information 2 Bedroom / 1 Bath 1,405 sq.ft. / HCAD

wow! Found a very old hotel that I never knew about. Thought I would share with HAIF. From Houston City directory for 1897-98. Denver Hotel, 1010 Preston ave, John Roessler, prop.

According to Culturemap, looks like Inn at the Ballpark will be rebranded as Westin Houston Downtown on December 6, 2012. Westin already has the hotel listed on its website as well. http://houston.cultu...-hotel-shakeup/

I found a very obscure theater found today. I was looking at the newspaper The Texas Jewish Herald dated January 10, 1935 and came across a film showing listing for The Strand. Very cool! There was an article a decade afterwards about one of the founders/operators who owned a lot of other theatres in downtown at that time. January 10, 1935. Mrs. Millie Schulman, 69, who together with her husband, A Schulman operated a number of motion picture theatres here between 1910 and 1928, died at her home, 612 Harold Street, at 2:15 p.m. Friday. Mrs. Schulam had been a resident of Houston for the past 24 years. She and her husband operated the Pastime Theatre located in the 200 block of Main Street, from 1910 to 1915, and the Texas Theatre, located near Congress and Main Street, from 1915 until 1921, the Stand Theatre, located near Travis and Texas, from 1921 until 1928, and two or three suburban theatres from 1917 until 1928. Their son, Morris Schulam, now resident of Bryan where he operates a theatre, aided them for a number of year in the operation of the various Houston theatres.

I've only seen one mention of this bank, and it was 19 years ago. Thought I would create a dedicated thread for this cool, historic, Houston bank that was located in Downtown Houston. Oh! Maybe the reason why this bank was never discussed is because the merger/buyout? Second National Bank of Houston, a three-story brick building in downtown Houston. By 1923, the name Lumberman's National Bank did not accurately describe the bank you know today as the Bank of the Southwest. So, Lumberman's became the Second National Bank of Houston. Postcard: A decade later:

elnina999 has added a photo to the pool: http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7508/15968469087_34294eb9ba_m.jpg Houston, Texas Click here to view this photo at the HAIF Photo Pool on Flickr

wow!! A rare Alfred C. Finn building that I never knew about. Great find here. From the newspaper The Houston Post dated May 24, 1914. The Proposed Finnigan Building on Main Street Located in the most commanding position on the southeast corner of Main street and Rusk avenue will be erected the new Finnigan building, the property of the John Finnigan estate. The building will cost approximately $90,000. This magnificent new structure will front 100 feet each way on Main street and Rusk avenue, and will be erected to supply he demand for the housing of the highest grade stores, in a building of unusual attractive architectural merit. The exterior of the building, as in shown in the above illustration, will be constructed of polished Georgia gray granite base, columns and carved granite capitols, and the entire remainder of the building in gray granite terra cotta. The second story spandrils and main tablature of the building will be embellished in a beautiful modeled designs, which is a triumph of architectural art. The display windows on the two street fronts will have statuary bronze finished framing and paneled oak background. The entire first and second floors have been arranged for stores and show rooms, with passenger elevators running from first to second floor, and every modern convenience known to the present-day. Building construction incorporated. Light, ventilation and heating have been mostly carefully considered and made a highly desirable feature throughout the building. Ground will be broken about June 6, and the building will be ready for occupancy about November 1. Plans for this new structure were drawn by Alfred C. Finn, architect, with offices in the Woodworth building.

Hello Team: Can anyone provide some information about the Masonic Temple in the corner of Fanin St and Bell St....???

I found the "original" Hermann Hospital! It was indeed planned to be on Fannin Street in the Texas Medical Center, but something changed and G.H. Hermann bought some land on Bagby & Rusk in Downtown and a proposal by Alfred C. Finn was drawn. From the newspaper The Houston Post dated July 22, 1917. Work to Begin Ninety Days on Hermann Hospital The dreams of Houston's benefactor, the late George Hermann, are about to be realized. Within a short period of time the Hermann Charity Hospital is to be built. After about seven months of consideration, the plans have been finally completed and further delay in building the structure will be unnecessary. It was the fulfillment of this dream, above all other hopes and aspirations, in which the late philanthropist was wrapped up and upon which he had set his heart. Years before his death, which occurred almost three years ago, the though uppermost in his mind was to provide an institution for the indigent sick. And finally, the piot has been designated, the plans have been approved an according to the architect, Afred C. Finn, bids will soon be advertisement for construction. The delay in the building of the hospital has been caused by the other of the executors and trustees to convert a large portion of the Hermann estate. Which was unproductive into income-bearing property. This has occasioned considerable time and effort but has resulted in creating an endowment sufficiently large to proceed with the project. Some of the property which has been disposed of to secure additional funds is the land in the oil fields at Humble. Hospital Grounds South of Hermann Park. The plot constituting the hospital grounds is just south of Hermann Park, it has a frontage of 72 feet on Main street and runs back o the park for a distance of 1278 feet, containing a total of 20-1/2 acres. It was this plot which Mr. Hermann set aside in his will “for the purpose of a hospital to be erected thereon to be known as the Hermann hospital.” The plans call for an institution comprising several structures or units, all of which will erected from a central structure or administration building. It is this building which will be built first. According to the present plans, work on the administration building will be started in 90 days. This building will be erected at a point 360 feet back from Main street. Midway between Main street and the building will be the Hermann monument. Administration Building Three Stories and Basement The administration building will be of three stories and a basement. The basement will, in realty, be a first floor. This building will accommodate 82 ward patients. It will have 18 private rooms and two children's wards that will care for be free. However, persons who are able to pay for treatment will inevitable wish take advantage of the accommodations of the hospital and will want to pay for them. The 18 private rooms are for the persons and for such cases as will demand isolation for reasons other than possible contagion. The building will be 160 feet long. In the part of the plat near Hermann park, well separated from the other buildings will be the contagious group. The six other units will be connected to the administration building by covered corridors. These will be erected as the patronage of the hospital requires them. Other buildings will be such as the superintendent's home, buildings for the nurses, the power house, the laundry building and the others indicated by numbers in the accompany picture. The trustees, T.J. Ewing, J.J. Settegast, Jr., and John S. Stewart, with the architect, Alfred C. Finn, all of Houston are being congratulated upon the result of the months of study. Operating Rooms On The Top Floor. On the top floor of the building a twin set of rooms for the care of patients who are to be operated upon; Two operating rooms will make it possible for two operations to be performed at the same time. A feature of this floor and all other-- Birdseye view of the proposed George H. Hermann Charity hospital buildings and grounds. The shows the grounds will look after all of the buildings of the hospital group are completed. The first unit or administration building is shown in the center of the picture. Work on it will start in ninety days. First unit or administration bundling of the George H. Hermann Charity Hospital group. From this building the other units of the group will be constructed as they are needed. Because of the difficult details in construction of hospital buildings it may require from eight to twelve months to complete the work on this first building of the group.

Found this in the newspaper The Houston Post dated March 8, 1914. Any renderings of this building? Three-Story Brick Apartment. L. Kaiser has employed Architect Joseph Finger to prepare plans and specifications for a three-story brick apartment house, which will be located at the corner of Rusk and Austin Streets.

Awesome!! Wait. These two articles could be discussing different buildings? The time lines add up, and both were on the corner of Dallas street. One says Dallas and Crawford, the other says Dallas & Travis. The number of apartments seem to be different as well. 18 vs. 28. I'd say maybe incorrect reporting? The apartments are very similar! I unearthed a rare Joseph Finger building! Found in the newspaper The Houston Post. dated January 26, 1914. The Heidingsfelder Apartments The Heidingfelder Apartments to be erected by C.E. Heidingsfelder at the corner of Crawford and Dallas at a cost of approximately $50,000. The building will contain 18 apartments, all of the apartments being provided with hot water at all times. The building will be constructed of dark-colored pressed brick, richly ornamented with terra cotts. It is the intention of Mr. Heidingsfelder to erect a garage and servants' building in the rear of the apartments for the accommodation of those using the apartments who have autos or servants. The plans for the building were drawn by Joseph Finger, architect, 321 National Bank Building. A few months later, it appears the apartment building was called Lonoma. The Houston Post. dated March 8, 1914. Work Progressing Nicely. Work on the Lonoma apartment house, now under construction, corner of Travis and Dallas Avenue, will be resumed in a few days, Architect Joseph Finger predicts that the building will be ready for occupancy within the next six weeks. The building will contain 28 apartments have will be equipped with modern conveniences.

Patrick Feller has added a photo to the pool: 1701 Commerce View the full article

I've been meaning to post this for a while ... this has got to be one of the best preserved examples of a period mid-century church in Houston (if not in the US). It's the First Church of Christ, Scientist, at the corner of Main and Jefferson downtown. Pics are below ... Built in '61, it has many hallmarks of the period, and has a mid-century Moroccan theme to it. Mosaic tile is everywhere, and two themes run throughout the church - diamond patterns (even down to gridlines of the poured terrazzo) and mosaic blue color accents. There is original caramel-stained paneling everywhere, special light fixtures, grasscloth on the walls, etc. etc. And the pencil-thin stained glass windows are incredible. The first time I attended church here a few months back, I thought I had died and gone to Mod Heaven Services are at 11:00 Sundays if anyone wants to visit, they are very welcoming of visitors. Please ignore the (1 of 2) in the Topic Title - I thought I was going to spread the pictures into two topics but changed my mind.

I think this is starting to be an interesting trend downtown. 1301 McKinney recently completed a similar project in one part of the building and they had just closed off another part and I suspect they're going to do the same thing. There are a number of buildings aorund town in which this would improve the look of their buildings. Besides, it'll give the smokers a place to stand in the shade.

I saw this on a walk today: I hadn’t seen this before. It’s a block to the north of the Houston Center. I’m assuming it’s Block 97 given the email contact. Edit: To clarify, this is specifically to the north of the Fulbright Tower.

Looks like George Hermann acquired this local electric company called Woods Electric Company. As the name states, the founder of the business was named ____ Woods. (Forgot his name, I'll need to look into this!) A little confusing. This was not the Baker-Meyer building in Market Square? I wonder if this was next door then. A Meyer business was, eventually, located in this same building. Maybe Joseph Meyer had two locations next door to each other? From the newspaper The Houston Post. dated April 21, 1907. In Bankruptcy. Two petitions, one involuntary and the other voluntary filed. In the Federal Court. The proceedings involve the Woods Electric Company of Houston and the Emanual Schwartz of Hallettsville. The petitioning credits in the involuntary case against the Woods Electric Company and the amounts due each are: George Hermann, $500; F.W. Heitmann Company, $26.66, and Fuller-Cook Hardware Company, $10.20. In the petition it is alleged that he directors of the company met on April 12 and adopted a resolution admitting the company's insolvency and its inability to pit its debts. This admission is alleged as an act of bankruptcy and upon it the petition as filed. The company, of which George H. Hermann is President and J.J. Settegast is Secretary, is engaged in trading and mercantile pursuits in Houston--

I just found a rare, unknown, location of the Westheimer Transfer Company. I wanted to share with HAIF on this historical finding. Very cool!! From The Songs of the Rice Institute, together with the Yells, School Calendar and Football Schedule, Session 1915-1916. Trunks and Baggage Moved. Phones Preston Capitol 1366 Westheimer Transfer Company 203 San Jacinto St. We Move Anything We will move your trunk and baggage to the Rice Institute without banging it up. Ring 1366. We make schedule trips to and from the Rice Institute.

wow!! This week I discovered the Westheimer Furniture Company was (once) located at 600 Travis Street in the heart of downtown! The only 600 Travis I know is the Hines building. I wonder if there are any images of the original 600 Travis building? Something to search for! Also, did the Westheimer family own the whole building in the early 1940s or did they lease space? Edit: I assume this was the company's business office? Or did they sell furniture here? From the newspaper Labor Messenger dated December 25, 1942. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years Westheimer Furniture Company 600 Travis / C. 4-2731

Development group working with the city to convert these structures into affordable apartments. See page 20 http://www.downtowntirz.com/downtownhouston/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Board-Book-2-8-2022-FINAL.pdf I remember there being a thread long ago somewhere…original plan was office.

Some real history here! The St. Joseph's County Hospital burned down in 1894. This is the story. From the book The Episcopacy of Nicholas Gallagher, Bishop of Galveston, 1882–1918. Catholic Building for had been used by the Franciscan priests when they staffed St. Vincent's Parish, by Ursuline Sisters fro New Orleans when they staffed St. Vincent's School (1867-1869), and by these Sisters when they likewise staffed the same school (1869-1873.) The Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament from Victoria had temporarily lived there before moving to Incarnate Word Academy on Crawford Street (April-November, 1873.) St. Joseph's Infirmary was opened to the public on June 1, 1887. Two years later the medical officer for the indigent sick was impressed with the methods of caring for the sick. After the county judge toured the hospital, Mother St. Louis was requested to receive the indigent sick of Harris County. There was quite a bit of dissatisfaction with the old Houston Infirmary on Washington Avenue. Mother St. Luis agreed. The sisters soon expanded their facilities. A new three-story building, St. Joseph's County Hospital, was erected across the street. The sisters were paid 50 cents a day for indigent patients. Private patients paid two dollars a day. The diagnosis of patients with smallpox led to the construction of a smallpox hospital in an abandoned cemetery. There were three hundred victims of smallpox. Approximately sixty died. All of the Sisters volunteered to help at the “pest house.” Four from the growing staff of Sisters were chosen. Unfortunately, Mrs. Flanagan's Boarding House next to the hospital caught fire (October 16, 1894.) Before long, the entire block was in flames. This was no match for the one fire engine the city owned. Two Sisters lost their lives, and a third was seriously wounded, though she survived. This was devastation to the Sisters. In addition to the-- Photo of the hospital that burned down:

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/news/2016/10/05/exclusive-houston-hotelier-to-launch-co-working.html?ana=e_hstn_bn_exclusive The Zimmerman family is redeveloping 4 historic buildings on the north side of Downtown. The brick facades and marquee designs will be restored and the buildings will be used as co-working space. The family has likened the space to an old building in New York City. They have purchased 104 Main, 108 Main, 110 Main and 112 Main for redevelopment.

I don't have the specifics for the height, floors, architect, etc. but here's what she's going to look like... I believe this is the view of the north side of the building that will face Market Square. This is based on the other renderings of the Chronicle site building. Block 42:

Cool find! I thought the Mercantile Building was in Dallas, TX? I guess there was two. Designed by Alfred C. Finn, this building looked like it took up a whole city block. I thought this would be one of the designs of the City Hall & Market. I couldn't match the two up. I don't think it was one of the old City Hall and Market buildings. A little confused. The builder was J.A. Baker? Wouldn't this be the old Meyer-Baker building on Travis Street? I believe that building in Market Square is still standing, so obviously no? Built in 1923.

wow! I never knew there was an original Grand Central Station Depot designed by George Dickey. I only knew of the Southern Pacific Lines Grand Central Station Depot that was designed by Wyatt C. Hedrick. I definitely like the original design more! This photo/drawing is dated 1890.