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  1. Anybody have more information on this project? I know most of it is complete, but does anybody have any photos?
  2. In the early years of this century, the city spent a bunch of money sprucing up several streets near Market Square, declaring them to be the "Cotswold District." Central to the street "activation" was a number of large-scale public fountains, that were supposed to be followed up with a lot of streetscaping and pedestrian improvements. The fountains were built, but it doesn't look like they were maintained. 20 years later, and they're a disaster. They look like monuments from a past civilization. Only one is working, and it's not working right. It has water leaking out the side of it, and the plants that were planted at the top have apparently been relying on Mother Nature to take care of them, because clearly the city never did. That seems to be a recurring theme with Houston's infrastructure: Build it new, but then don't maintain it and let it rot and make the city look bad until it gets torn down and replaced by something else. A real shame, and an apparent waste of taxpayer money.
  3. I was reading The History of America's Speedways and noticed a race track listing for Houston Motordrome that was active in the 1910s. 1/3 mile wood oval track that ran motorcycles. I found a news article in The Houston Post dated December 25, 1913. Motor Races Grand Opening Christmas Day Stadium Motordrome At Sampson Street and Pierce Avenue Six Races – Starts 3:30 P.M. Admission 205. Grand Stand 25c Extra. Automobile Route. Starting at Main Street and Preston Avenue, east on Preston, turn to your right on Dowling to the left on Leeland. To the right on Sampson to the entrance. Street Car. Take Pierce Avenue car to entrance get off board walk- no mud. Persons coming toward town on the Franklin or Harrisburg cars, transfer to Pierce Avenue car at the 1 and G.N. Depot. Persons coming toward town on Aranas Pass car, transfer to Pierce Avenue car at Pease Avenue. Persons coming toward town on La Branch car transfer to Pierce Avenue car at Jackson and Pierce Avenue.
  4. I was reading the newspaper The Houston Post dated October 11, 1906 and came across an article about Giggling Park. Closed with Fun-Makers. Patterson-Brainerd Company has been Secured. Elaborate Plan for “Giggling Park.” The fun makers for this year’s Carnival have been secured- the Patterson-Brainerd Carnival Company, one of the best aggregations on the road. Representatives of the company will be here today, and the papers will be signed up this afternoon. This company carries a large drove of trained animals and has other features essential to a carnival, with a full corps of well organized “spielers.” Giggling, Charley will be there and all the silver-tongued songster, while the stadium will have many new features that has never been exhibited in Houston before. The association is congratulating itself upon securing this company. “Giggling Park” Plan. The plans for “Giggling Park,” which were yesterday submitted by Scholl Bros., have been accepted. In appearance it will be the most magnificent that has ever inclosed a carnival in Houston. The color scheme will be that of the Carnival colors. In the center will be a grand entrance, composed of a large semi-circle arch twenty feet wide and neatly decorated with vari-colored electric bulbs, flaked on either side with small minarets, allows room for two ticket offices which will facilitate the handling of the crowds. Over the arch will be placed the name plate and other suitable decorations. The terminal of this center is composed of a tier of electric lights in different colors, and above this will be the flagpole and streamers. Ove the minarets will be a lattice, balls and flagpoles with electric lights. Each side of these minarets will be wings extending out to the curb on each side. Throughout the whole will be an innumerable electric lights and elaborate decorations. Those who have witnessed the design pronounce it the most elaborate that the Carnival has ever presented, and the Messrs. School Bros. deserve much credit rot heir artistic work. The Houston Post dated October 23, 1906: Giggling Park Site. Will be federal square- the work will begin Thursday. Council Yesterday Granted Permission to Close Potions of Surrounding Streets and Sidewalks. Work on the Giggling Park for the No-Tsu-Oh Carnival will be started Thursday. It will be the Federal square site, the same as the Carnival grounds last year. The association yesterday secured permission from the city council to close a portion of the streets surrounding the square, and this will give ample room for the amusements and will hold a large crowd of fun seekers. The entrance to this inclosure will be artistic. The plan of Architect Scholl was accepted some days ago. It will be a high arch with ticket offices on either side, with pillars and pedestals, and the whole will be decorated with hundreds of electric globes. This entrance will be at the intersection of Capital avenue and San Jacinto. This site is the most convenient for the Carnival that could be se secured and the association closed the deal with the government officials for it some time ago. The Houston Post dated November 13, 1906: Giggling Park and Revellers. Fun and Merrymaking Runs Riot on Carpet of Vari-Colored Confetti. The park is the Objective Point for a Stream of Humanity- Here the Spieler Holds Full Sway- The Shows are Many and Interesting- All of them are clean, and Were Well Patronized last Night. Upon a carpet of confetti, the Carnival revellers giggle, while the vari-colored particulars fill the air, the eyes, the nose, ears, and the mouth- mirth is running riot in the city of No-Tsu-Oh. When Mayor Rice turned over the keys of the city to King Nettoc yesterday morning and resigned the city to his keeping for a week, the first act of the monarch was to unlock the giggles and chase away care; he put a hobble on rowdyism and issues a decree that each and every one of his subjects who shall enter the gates of his favoured city shall have a good time until the close of the festivities Saturday night. Maun street from Franklin avenue to Capitol and down Capitol to Giggling Park and the whole park was one swarming mases of joyous humanity yesterday afternoon and until a late hour last night. It was the largest crowed that ever thronged the streets on the first day of a No-Tsu-Oh Carnival, and it is the best natured and most ordered crowded. A lady’s or gentleman’s costume is complete in his or her hair, hat, even eyebrows and shoulders, be not bespangled with confetti. Everyone who entered the city last night was out in full garb.
  5. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated April 10, 1896 and came across an advertisement of Baldwin's Natatorium. Baldwin's Natatorium Now In Full Blast. Water A Fine Temperature. Come down and enjoy a good swim. Natatorium- Corner Louisiana and Congress streets. J.C. Baldwin, Prop'r. In an article from The Houston Post dated January 1, 1909 it states Sidney Westheimer purchased the property. A deal was closed recently whereby Sid Westheimer became the purchaser of the old Baldwin natatorium property located at the corner of Congress avenue and Louisiana street. The property was bought from Mrs. Baldwin for a consideration equal to $60,000.
  6. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post date November 29, 1906 and came across a business listing for The White Sanitarium, Inc. We Cure Whiskey, Drugs, and Tobacco Habits. In eight to fifteen days without pain or sickness. Cure effected before requiring one cent of pay. No experiment but a thoroughly test cure. We allow the patients to be sole judge of the cure, and should they fail to be satisfied the treatment costs absolutely nothing. See us before taking treatment elsewhere. Address or call on The White Sanatorium, Inc. 1517 Texas Ave. Houston, Texas. Mervin Rives, M.D. Physician in charge. Eph Roddy, Manager. Old Phone 5051.
  7. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated November 29, 1906 and came across a theater listing. I couldn't find this on Cinematreasures. Pretty cool, effectively a rare theater! Big Tent Theater. Corner Prairie Ave. and San Jacinto St. H.D. Rucker's Famous Korak Wonder Co. Matinee today. "Beyond the Rockies" Admission 10c, Tonight "A Southern Romance". Friday night- Ten Nights in a Barroom. Saturday Matinee and Night- Uncle Josh Whitcomb or The Old Homestead.
  8. 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.
  9. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated November 29, 1909 and came across a business ad for Sid Westheimer Co. Undertakers and Embalmers located at 104 San Jacinto Street - Phones Preston 227. I wonder if there's a photo of the building?
  10. I was browsing the City of Houston Public Library's Digital Archives and I found the Hugh Waddell mansion in the neighborhood Quality Hill with an address of 2404 Caroline Street. I really love these old homes! The tall circular turrets are cool. I can definitely see how Quality Hill was the original River Oaks. All these grand mansions sitting on high value land.
  11. I was browsing the City of Houston Public Library's Digital Archives and I found the Edward Peden mansion in the neighborhood Quality Hill with an address of 1017 Bell Avenue.
  12. Didn't know where to put this, but I saw a gentleman measuring off the building today. He had measuring tape and was jotting everything down on his notepad. He also had what looked like a sketched/diagram kind of figure on his paper.
  13. I was researching the William Hutchins Mansion located in the Quality Hill neighborhood of Houston. I first started reading the Houstonhistorymagazine's article about Quality Hill. That gave me: In 1850 Hutchins built one of the earliest and what was considered one of the finest houses in Quality Hill. It stood on the corner of Franklin Avenue and La Branch Street, near Hutchins’s place of business on the corner of Franklin Avenue and Main Street. I then came to a City of Houston Landmark Designation Report for the Palace Hotel located at 216 LaBranch Street. In that report, I saw: Sanborn insurance maps from 1885 show Block 25 with the Globe Hotel down the street on the corner of Congress and Austin. The present location of the Palace Hotel building is vacant land. The large house on Block 25 that faces Franklin was the Hutchins house, one of the large houses that were once common in this area known as Quality Hill. Ownership by the Hutchins family of the lots of Block 25 can be traced back to 1853. I then went to the Library of Congress to look at the 1885 Sanborn insurance map. I then located the mansion on Block 25: Old photograph of the house:
  14. I couldn't find information on the old Charles Longcope Mansion located at 109 Chenevert Street in the Quality Hill neighborhood of Houston. The Houston Daily Post dated April 25, 1898: Unfolding the flag. The Lords' Bicycle Club the Scene of a Gallant Event. Yesterday morning at 10 o'clock the old Longscope building on Chenevert street, now the Lord's Cycle club headquarters, was the scene of a jolly, enthusiastic and most patriotic crowed of member and friends of the bicycle club-- Houstonhistorymagazine.org: The Southwestern Historical Quarterly dated July 1967 - April, 1968:
  15. I noticed this awesome home the other day. Owned by the Henke and Pillot team member C.G. Pillot. This was featured in the Standard Blue Book of Texas Houston Edition dated 1907-1908. I wonder where this was. The Heights? Downtown?
  16. http://www.old-picture.com/united-states-1930s-1940s/pictures/Houston-Home.jpg Found this on a web site called [link removed]. Says it was taken in 1943. Any ideas?
  17. I was researching the Quality Hill neighborhood and came across the home of Cornelius Ennis located at 216 Congress at the corner of Jackson. Houston city directory for 1882-83:
  18. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated in 1918 and came across a film listing for The Key Theatre. I am unsure of an address. I searched Cinematreasures and couldn't find any details about this place. Must have been rebranded at some point? Opening Today For Three Days The Great Nazimova In Her Most Wonderful Picture "Toys of Fate" A tale of destiny's darling. A drama that thrills your very soul. See the world's greatest actress in her great triumph.
  19. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated March 26, 1917 and came across a film listing at the Rex Theater. I searched Cinematreasures and couldn't find any details about this one. Do we have an address for this theater? Rex today (Tuesday) 10 cents Carlyle Blackwell The Handsome Hero Meets the Girl of His Past in "The Social Leper" Don't miss this speedy, surprising story. Starting Thursday "The Girl Who Doesn't Know" Well illustrates an ounce of Prevention is worth a pound of cure. Coming- Clara Kimball Young In "The Price She Paid."
  20. Mercury Room/Boaka Bar closed down like a year ago(?)... Has anything been done with the space? It is (was?) a gorgeous venue, it's a shame it's just sitting there. http://images.clubzone.com/company/images/1798/1.jpg http://images.clubzone.com/company/images/1798/2.jpg http://images.clubzone.com/company/images/1798/3.jpg
  21. I was browsing The Houston Posted dated February 23, 1919 and came across an ad for Hulsey's Zoe Theater - Houston's Movie De Luxe Cinemateasures has the following: http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/29421 The Zoe Theatre opened on October 14, 1914. By 1919 it was operated by E.H. Hulsey who also operated the Queen Theatre. The name was changed to the Capitol Theatre on March 19, 1922. The Capitol Theatre is listed as a first run house in 1925. Not listed in 1930 so it’s possible that this was a silent era theatre. New Art Film Company presents Dorothy Gish in "Boots" a Paramount Picture. Old shoes are a strange place in which to look for romance, treason and intrigue, but Dorothy Gish found them there.
  22. I was looking at the Standard Blue Book of Texas Houston Edition dated 1907-1908 and came across a few cool, old, hospitals. The book indicates an address of 602 Lamar Avenue. I went onto researching more and found an article in the newspaper The Houston Post dated November 27, 1903 that had an address of 810 Walker Avenue. I am not sure which one is accurate. Or perhaps there were was an earlier version of the sanitarium? For this thread, I will choose the Walker address since it's more concrete. Although, the other article has a photograph of the building, so that must be accurate too! Convenience and hope comforts. Trained nurses in attendance. Rates 2.00 to 5.00 per day. S.W. Telephone 1374. Ida J. Rudisill Sanitarium. Mrs. Ida J. Rudisill, Proprietous. 810 Walker Avenue Houston, Tex. I then found an article that states George Hermann and this person named "D.R." was interested in buying the hospital. A little confusing, to me, but this was one of the first Hermann Hospitals? I know that Hermann Hospital started out as a Baptist hospital in a downtown tower. So maybe this predates the big downtown hospital? wow!! From the book The Texas Gulf Historical and Biographical Record, Volume 45, November 2009: D.R. Approached Houston oilman and philanthropist George H. Hermann, who was interested in a hospital but not one controlled by Baptists. Timely assistance from a woman at First Baptist finally enabled Houston Baptists to move forward. For $18,000 D.R. Secured the Rudisill Sanitarium, an eighteen-bed facility in downtown Houston, from Mrs. Ida J. Rudisill. Rechristened the Baptist Sanitarium and Hospital, it was chartered in September 1907, the first such Baptist institute in Texas. D.R. Was named superintendent, but Mrs. Rudisill “was in reality the manager or the four years she remained with the institute,” giving the Baptists time to learn what they were doing.
  23. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated August 26, 1899 and came across a business listing for South Texas Sanitarium located in the Kiam Building, 302 Main Street. Dr. W.W. Lunn Dr. E.D. Lunn Surgery and Diseases of Women, Catarrh of Ear, Nose, Throat, Lungs, and Stomach. The South Texas Sanitarium Kiam Building, Houston, Texas The Sanitarium is now fully organized for treatment of all Chronic Diseases, most especially those of hour hot Southern climate, as the doctors in charge have practiced for many years in South Texas. The Sanitarium has the finest X-Ray Machine in Texas, as well as other instruments for treating and diagnosing disease. A special feature of the Sanitarium is the treatment of Catarrh, inhalations of medicated vapor and the proper application of electricity. Knowing that many having Catarrh, which if neglect, causes consumption, would like to take treatment, but are unable to come to Houston. A Home Treatment has been organized. A 1899 Houston of City directory advertisement: The South Texas Sanitarium. Kiam Building, Houston, Texas Phone 688. Treat all chronic diseases by Electricity, Electric Massage, and Dry Heat Sweat Bath. Dr. W.W. Lunn. Diseases of Women and surgery specialty. Graduate of University of Louisiana, University of Pennsylvania, New York Polyclinic, New York Operative Surgery. Attendance at Tulane University, Bush Medical, Battle Creek Sanitarium. Dr. E.D. Lunn. Diseases of Nose, Throat, Eye, and Ear a specialty. From University of Louisville, Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic; New York Polyclinic, New York Post Graduate, Fredrick William University of Berlin, Germany.
  24. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated September 5, 1908 and came across a business listing for J.G. Boyd Hospital And Sanitarium located at 1706 Main Street. Dr. J. G. Boyd. Phone 1042. Office 501 1/2 Main St. Private Hospital and Sanitarium. 1706 Main St. Rates $2 to $4 per day. I wonder if there are any photographs of the old sanitarium?
  25. I was looking at old Houston hospitals and sanitariums and came across the Blair's Sanitarium. John M. Blair of Houston; Physician and Surgeon. Born in Indiana on February 4, 1859. Educated at Rush College, Medical Department. Chicago University. He bought the building in 1900. It was still listed as Blair’s Sanitarium in the 1930 census, so it was apparently a comparatively long-lived institution. Company letterhead: Blair's Sanitarium ** Dr. J. M. Blair, Proprietor. A thorough equipped Sanitarium, for the treatment of all kinds of surgical cases and all forms of chronic disease. No contagious diseases admitted. 1212 to 1220 Liberty Avenue. Houston, Texas March 8th, 1908. Building photos: Portrait photo of Dr. Blair: Note: I had some help from the McGovern Historical Center. https://library.tmc.edu/mcgovern/2011/06/03/blair-sanitarium/
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