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https://www.blackcowboymuseum.com/ I've read about this museum over the past few years and want to go. May do so the next time I'm in town at the end of the year. It's not too far from the home I grew up in and actually is in the small, moderne styled strip center where I got my hair cut as a kid. It may be in that suite or the one immediately south - I don't recall. The small institution is growing a bit. https://www.fbherald.com/community/black-cowboy-museum-expansion-due-to-its-popularity-founder-says/article_389eac48-41d0-11ee-bb80-f32b0e3bc0e1.html "The museum recently expanded to include the Black Cowboy Hall of Fame room, which will serve as an educational classroom for visitors. “We needed more space,” Callies said. “We’re continuing to grow. We’re getting more artifacts and memorabilia all the time and the groups of visitors are getting bigger and bigger. Everyone wants to come and see the Black Cowboy Museum and learn about the black cowboy.” Presently, the museum itself has no room for sitting. Visitors, many of them elderly, must stand to hear presentations and discussions on black cowboys. The educational classroom has seats for about two dozen visitors. A church group from Houston was the first to use the room."

I'll admit I've only been aware of the park passing by it over the years on 59 and never have been to it. It is a Fort Bend County property. For those not familiar with the area, it's just southwest of Kendleton near the Lum Road exit, extending toward the San Bernard River. Thought it was interesting as over the past year, people have become more informed of the historical nature of the park as a number of individuals have become involved in raising awareness about the resting places of a number African-Americans of the mid and late 1800s and the deterioration of the grounds that are the burial sites. One of the most notable is Benjamin Franklin Williams - the first man of color to be recognized as a Methodist minister in the state, and a three-term state representative for Fort Bend County who was said to have been the first non-white person to have earned votes for the Speaker's position in that chamber. Former Congressman Pete Olson has been spearheading much of the efforts during this time and has gotten the Exchange Club of Sugar Land involved in making regular visits to the site and conducting several cleanups to remove overgrowth and debris and to keep it down. The Fort Bend Herald had an article on the most recent visit which occurred yesterday. One of the persons quoted mentioned a desire to turn the site into an educational and historical site not unlike the what happened with the Sugar Land 95. The grounds are also currently home to a small museum - the Fort Bend County Heritage Unlimited Museum, which focuses on the history and achievements of African-Americans in the County.

Does anyone know if there used to be a payphone in Meyerland Park back in the 1980's-1990's, and if yes, where in the park it was located at? I also am curious how long that whale slide has been in the playground area? Any old photos/videos pre-2005 of the park would be very helpful.

During my first trip to Galveston TX (circa July 1975), my then girlfriend and I stayed for 6 days at a motel located within walking distance of Stewart Beach Park, but I didn't recall its name. Thanks to recent information from another member, I am reasonably certain it was the Islander Beach Motel. Most of the motel's rooms (including the one we stayed in) were in a building elevated on concrete piers above the parking area. There were also three or four "cabana" rooms located in an adjacent building (or buildings) at ground level. The restaurant building was vacant. As this motel was not part of a chain with a toll-free reservation number, I had to contact the motel directly to reserve a room. Other than give my name, address, and home phone number, I don't remember anything else that was needed to reserve the room. Presumably the motel would have billed me had we been a "no-show". The following year (mid-August 1976), I telephoned the Holiday Inn toll-free reservation number, but was told "Galveston is not available." With the likelihood of most, possibly all of the Galveston motels not having vacancies during peak season, it seemed interesting to try a day trip. As documented in another posting, my day trip to Galveston worked out very well. The following month (mid-September 1976), my call to the Holiday Inn toll-free reservation number was successful. Because this was off-season, there was no problem getting a motel reservation in Galveston. After checking in and getting unpacked, my main activity that evening was taking a road trip to the western end of Galveston Island. Once out of the tourist area, it was mostly beachfront residential areas until the vicinity of San Luis Pass. Because the bridge across San Luis Pass required a toll payment, I opted to turn around and head back to the motel instead of crossing the bridge. According to my car's odometer, the trip was about 27 miles each way (54 miles round trip). The Holiday Inn I stayed at was probably the one located (at that time) near the Port Holiday Mall. After checking out of the motel the next morning, I spent most of the day at or near Stewart Beach Park, followed by an hour or so at the Galvez Mall. After topping off my car's tank at either the Hudson Oil gas station or another station in the same area, I headed home to my apartment in Shreveport, LA. Addendum: According to online maps, the road distance from Fort San Jacinto Lookout Point to San Luis Pass is 28.8 miles.

During my several, late 1970s vacation trips from Shreveport LA to Galveston TX (approx 285 miles each way, but the closest full service beach resort), Corella's Corral (Mexican food) and Mario's Pizza (Italian food) were two places where I recall getting takeout meals while in Galveston. Corella's Corral was on 61st Street a few blocks inland from Seawall Boulevard. Mario's Pizza (aka Mario's Flying Pizza) was a short walk across Seawall Boulevard from Stewart Beach. In addition to takeout, both restaurants had indoor dining. Corella's Corral ceased operations when its owner & founder, Manuel Anthony Corella, retired from the restaurant business. Mario's Pizza, now named Mario's Seawall Italian Restaurant, is still in operation at 628 Seawall Blvd. In addition to the movie theaters at the Galvez Mall, I remember passing near a standalone movie theater that may have been located near Broadway (Ave J). What stood out in my mind about this theater is what appeared to be Spanish language marquees and other signage. Not sure if it was a single screen or double screen theater. Do not remember the theater's name, but it may have been the Martini Theater, a single screen theater (seating capacity 1188) located on 522 21st Street/Moody Avenue. It was in operation as a movie theater from 1937 to 1979. Online photographs showing the theater building's exterior size, shape, and color seem consistent with what I remember. If this is the correct theater, its location was 0.4 miles north of the intersection of Broadway/Avenue J and Moody Avenue/21st St. Most of my road traveling in Galveston was in a more or less triangular pattern on or near Broadway (Ave J), Seawall Blvd, and 61st St. Not having a detailed map of Galveston, a lot of my travel navigation on the island was by "dead reckoning." It seemed to me at the time that Stewart Beach was no more than a mile from the eastern shore of the island (the actual distance is over 2 miles). Keep in mind that this was before The Beach Club and The Trade Winds high rise (each 382 ft.) condominium buildings became part of the Galveston Island skyline. During my next visit to Galveston, hopefully sooner than later, I plan to bicycle from Stewart Beach to the eastern end of Seawall Blvd and back (approx 2.2 miles each way). For a more extensive workout, I could continue the ride to the western end of Seawall Blvd. The total trip of about 12.5 miles (2.2 miles west to east + 10.3 miles total length east to west) would be easier to complete during the off season when the weather is cooler and there are fewer people out and about. Another option is to bicycle from Stewart Beach to the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry terminal (about 1.4 miles via Ferry Rd.), ride the ferry as a walk-on passenger, and continue the bicycle ride on the Port Bolivar side to Ft. Travis Park and back to the ferry terminal (approx 1.7 miles each way). Once ashore in Galveston, ride the bike back to Stewart Beach, again via Ferry Rd. The ferry trips each way allow ample time to cool down between trip segments. Walk-on passengers (with or without a bicycle) board the ferry first, ahead of the cars and trucks. Total road distance is approx 6.2 miles.

I am looking for suggestions on the best books, coffe table and/or history, of Houston and Houston architecture. I’ve searched but I would like some educated suggestions. Thanks.

FB Friday I'm In Love: Numbers Nightclub Documentary is asking if anyone can recall the person on the far left (circa 1981-1982). Please response to the FB page

I went to Houston last week for the first time in a bunch of years, and driving down OST toward the Medical Center I drove past the ugliest building I've ever seen. It's huge and looks like two pyramids glued together. It looks for all the world like something out of Doctor Who - a space age military fortress. It's at 1500 OST, the corner of OST and North Stadium Drive. Does anybody know who built that monstrosity, and for what purpose?

Anyone heard of this? It was on one of those clickbait lists of America's top haunted homes. http://www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2014/oct/30/american-horror-story-real-haunted-houses-halloween-in-pictures

Does anyone have a good idea of what Rice Village used to be like before its current incarnation as a more upscale place with chains and quirky boutiques? The closest I've found is a long-standing bead shop that closed a few years back (along with the late Variety Fair, and a head shop called "The Rat Hole"). Was it more of a counter-cultural store collection, or more of just a ramshackle bunch of businesses that congregate around universities and aim for the college student demographic? Or both?

Anyone have any old pics of the area? Post em here!

I heard a rumor from a person calming to be a historian/ghost chaser that the Sears on N. Shepard near Crosstimbers was at one time a hospital and there for haunted. I myself have never heard this before and also find it hard to believe. Can someone debunk or confirm this? Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyUaQK5mMWU

Everyone remembers the old Galvez Mall, an eyesore for years that occupied the prime corner at 61st Street and Broadway. Most people however, do not remember Galveston's first shopping mall, Port Holiday Mall. This mall was located at the corner of 4th St (renamed Holiday Drive after the mall opened) and Water Street (now Harborside Dr.)The mall had two levels, and was anchored by The Fair, a department store similar in size to Palais Royale. The other tenants were Walgreen's, Kroger (with no direct entrance into the mall itself) El Chico, Hills Liquor, Guaranty Federal Savings and Loan, and your other typical mall tenants, such as TSO, Hallmark, a jewelry store, record store and others that I do not remember. The upper level was mostly private physicians and professional offices, however there were a couple of retail shops near the top of the stairs. A sunken fountain with benches anchored the atrium middle. There was also a hotel (Holiday Inn) and a restaurant on the west end of the parking lot. This mall had marginal success and then quickly faded, especially when Galvez Mall opened. The building is now owned by UTMB but is still intact. I'd like to see the inside today, just to see how much of the mall still remains.

October. The Brazoria Co. Historical Museum has two lectures of interest. October 8, 6:30pm - Gregg Dimmick on his recent excavations at the San Jacinto Battleground. October 20, 6:30pm - Sheldon Kindall on his research over the years on SE Texas Indian archeological sites.

A friend of mine is convinced that there once was a Sears on Harrisburg. is he right?

I park at Hillcroft Transit Center every day and just east of Hillcroft in the middle of the Harwin are these short railroad tracks. I don't see these railroad tracks on any of the railroad maps of Houston that I've seen over the years. Do any of you bright Haif'ers know where these tracks led to, who's railroad this was, and when they were pulled up? http://www.lighthouseproductions.com/storage/rail.jpg

When was the plaza torn down? I remember in the mid 80's going to Panchos and seeing most of the store front windows covered up with paper.

Updated and retracted. Ok, I definitely jumped the gun on this post. I have spoken with Howard Reed, Pastor of Central Presbyterian Church. He is informed me that my post concerning the sale of their property was erroneous. I apologize to the Church for failing to confirm my info prior to posting. I am sure there will be more details in the future. -Jeromy

Wracking my brain but can't remember where Eastwood Baptist Church was. Was it on Dumble between Telephone and Polk? Help! I can't remember. Thanks in advance.

I assumed there was already an existing topic for old Galvez family/city photos? If there is please merge. I have reprints of quite a few color pics on Stewart Beach back when they allowed cars to park there. There were several concrete ramps that allowed cars to creep slowly down below then park. These ramps have been removed or blocked since. I noticed only one thats hardly noticeable. These ramps were scary for kids. While in the car it felt like you were about to drop onto the ocean. However once you parked it was major exciting. The very clear pics I mentioned are from 1952-53 and are neat as they show all the now classic cars of the time all lined up in a row. Brand new! In the background you can see the seawall hotels & people (bathing beauties) as it looked in 1952. Guess I better get to scanning to show.

Examiner discusses Westbury Rebels mascot

In the new issue of Cite there is an article about the old Sears on South Main at Wheeler called "When Good Buildings Go Bad". The article is about how the beautiful old art deco building was remodeled to look like a giant metal storage shed. It says that the metal cladding was added in 1968. In the old HAIF I remember there was a thread about Sears, and someone posted some old photos of Sears shortly after the facade had been added. I could swear that they were from the early-mid 1950s, not the late 1960s. Can anyone verify if this is correct? Thanks. Before remodeling:

Rooftop pool This has always been one of my favorite buildings downtown. When it opened in 1962 it was the first downtown hotel since 1929, so it was a big enough deal that the Chronicle ran a special supplement about it. Famous guests included Jack Ruby and the Beatles during their only visit to Houston in 1965. Beatles press conference from the Sheraton-Lincoln: Fans spying: The hotel closed in 1986 but the office section of the building remained open for a while after that. The Hyatt Regency bought the building for expansion in 1998 and planned to connect it to the Hyatt with a skybridge. They got as far as gutting the Sheraton interior to remove asbestos, but the expansion fell through because of the weak economy. It has been a vacant shell ever since.