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I was reading the magazine House & Garden dated July 1940 and came across a business advertisement for Johnson Pottery Gardens located at 6519 South Main Blvd. Can't seem to find it at the moment, but the business also changed hands. This was also called California Pottery Yard. "Visit Houston's Show Place on Highway 90 - 6519 So. Main - Lehigh 4742." For amateur Constance Sprys is this "Flower-Doer", containing every thing the devote of flower arranging will need. There are shears for cutting wire or flowers; tying wire; chicken wire; five pin-cushion holders; plastilene; and a spray for watering. It's $4.50 from Johnson Pottery Gardens, 6519 South Main Blvd., Houston, Texas

I was browsing the publication Electrical South dated August 1955 and came across an article detailing a grand opening for a new business along South Main Street. The business was called Wade Electric Company Store No. 2 located at 6706 South Main Street. Does anybody recall this place? I wonder what ever happened to the company? Houston contractor opens second store Grand Opening of Wade Electric Company's Store No. 2 was held recently at 6706 South Main in Houston, Texas. The company's main store is located at 1233 Waugh Drive. At present, the electrical contracting firm specializing in the sale, installation, and wiring of air conditioners.

I was browsing the newspaper Jewish Herald-Voice dated May 15, 1980 and came across a business advertisement for Round Up Cafe & Bar located at Loop 610 at South Main next to Sonny Look's. I couldn't find an address, but Look’s Sir-Loin Inn was located at 9810 South Main Street. I'm guessing there was once a slender retail strip center where the current surface lot is that once held a few businesses. Anyone recall going here? Share your stories!! Was it a club as well? Round*Up Cafe & Bar Loop 610 at So. Main 669-0949 (next to Sonny Look's) For Steaks & Burgers Salad Bar & Soups Corn on the Cob Sautéed Mushrooms Casual Atmosphere .. and more Craig Howard invites you to Houston's newest Country Western Restaurant. Open Mon. - Fri. 11 a.m. - 2 a.m., Sat. - Sun. 5 p.m. - 2 a.m. Available for private parties, bar mitzvahs, weddings, etc.

I just discovered another restaurant of the Shamrock Hotel back in the 1960s. Shamrock Hilton Charcoal Terrace Restaurant. Sometimes written as Charcoal Terrace Restaurant & Pavilion. I wonder why this restaurant wasn't as famous as Trader Vic's Restaurant? Maybe Trader Vic's was more of an unusual niche restaurant so it got the fame? Charcoal Terrace sounds like a steak house, which were on ever other street corner. Trader Vic's was Polynesian and was probably more unique than your average steak house. Photo from May 1967, showing The Towers at 2130 W. Holcombe Blvd. with street signage for both of the Shamrock's restaurants. Interesting advertising as that's not exactly Main & Holcombe, where the Shamrock hotel was.

Does anyone recall this residential? community located on South Main Street near Hillcroft Avenue? The subdivision was built in the 1950s. When typing in South Main Gardens into Google in present day, you get a residential neighborhood in Missouri City, TX. The present day neighborhood is located off Sam Houston Tollway. I believe that is a whole different development. Does anyone recall what school Helen Eisentower was speaking of? Maybe Westbury High School? Westbury is a few miles away from Hillcroft & South Main. HISD Board meeting minutes - January 23, 1956 Letter from Helen Eisentower in South Main Gardens referred to Superintendent for Investigation. Dear Sirs: Do you fold have any jurisdiction over this school in South Main Gardens off 13000 block of South Main Street left? The children and mothers are up in arms about all the conditions out here. I'm very much concerned and would like you to come out and interview some of these people, find out what can be done to improve this unrest. Respectfully, Helen Eisentower Route 3, Box 55B

Just came across this on ebay. Very rare find!! Crazy how desolate the surroundings are. South Main in the 1940s was just forest land. Does anyone remember this gas station? Any idea of a decade? Ebay listed 1930s but that's not right. I'm thinking 1940s and 1950s. Just Filled Up At "Johnson's Magnolia Service Station" 8100 South Main St. Houston, Texas Phone Hadley 0425 "Sign of the Flying Red Horse" Never Closed

I was browsing Ebay for historical Houston items and I came across a very rare item! I've never heard of this restaurant. Very cool history here. Wish I could find actual photos of the drive-in. Anybody know anything about this? Wasn't there a Ace Trailer Park located on South Main Street? I wonder if this was by the same owners or family. Looks like the drive-in restaurant was active in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s? The Ace Drive-In at South Main Airport Houston, Tex. written as The Ace Drive In - at - South Main Air - Port Houston, Tex. Telephone J-2-0087 Cold Drinks Sandwiches Plate Dinners K.C. Steaks Car and Dining Room Service

I was browsing the newspaper The Rice Thresher dated October 24, 1962 and came across a business advertisement for South Main Book Store located at 6624 South Main Street. Did anyone ever shop here, or have memories of this place? How did this compare to Majors Bookstores? South Main Book Store 6624 Main (Opposite Medial Towers) Telephone JA 4-5517 / Open 10:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. 10% Discount To Rice Students On All Books (from now till Christmas) The best in paperbacks. Sale priced books, art prints, Caedmon records of drama, poetry & literature. Books of all kinds for adults & children.

I was browsing the newspaper The Bellaire Texan dated March 14, 1962 and came across an article that contained the Hodgkins Disease Memorial Research Center located at 7501 South Main Street. Rites Friday For B.P. Lowry Funeral services were held Friday from Pat H. Foley Chapel of the Roses for Brain Pierce Lowry, 33, of 6522 Mobud Drive, who died Wednesday in a Houston Hospital-- The Rev. C. Rodney Sunday officiated at last rites. In lieu of the usual reembraces, the family requested that donations be made to the Hodkins Disease Memorial Research Center, 7501 South Main, Houston. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Beverly Lowry of Houston; parents, Mr. and Mrs. Curtis P. Lowry of Malden, MO; daughter, Linda Kay Lowry; son, Bruce Wayne Lowry, both of Houston; brother, Robert Carroll Lowry of Houston.

I was reading the newspaper The Bellaire & Southwestern Texan dated September 6, 1972 and came across an advertisement for Derrick Club located at 7501 South Main Street. Does anyone recall this place? 1972 wasn't that long ago, maybe someone on HAIF went here and has some memories to share? Back By Popular Demand Steve Chester & Danny Pepper Open To The Public 35¢ Drinks For Stag Ladies Derrick Club - 5701 South Main

While browsing Ebay for historical Houston items I found a matchbook cover that I've never seen before. It's of the Chain of Inns Motor Hotel owned and managed by John W. Kinsel. The old motor hotel was located at 9604 South Main Street. On the flipside of the matchbook, there is a Roman Empire Club advertisement. I'm assuming this club was located within the hotel.

I was looking at the 1950 Sanborn map and came across Smith Monument Co. located at 10001 South Main Street. Their industrial campus was located at the intersection of South Main Street at Old Main Street Road. A classic intersection for sure!! The campus had 3 buildings, including an office, pump house, and a factory building. I'll see if I can find the campus on Google Earth a bit later.

While looking in the Harris County, Texas, Guide and Road Map dated June 1939 I came across a beverages business listing that included Weber’s Root Beer located at 6720 South Main Street - Hadley 0272. A little confused. There was also a Weber's Beer Garden located 3 or 4 blocks south at Holcombe & Main Street. I believe they were different, the similarity is the proximity to each other. Weber's Root Beer Stand was a restaurant specializing in root beer. Weber's Beer Garden was an ice house/beer garden/bar that served alcoholic drinks, specializing in beer. Very cool find!!

I was browsing the newspaper The Citizen dated January 28, 1948 and came across a full page advertisement for Cook's Paints located at 6634 South Main Street. I wonder what ever happened with this business? Did the mom & pop store go out of business or was it merged with a larger company, and then a larger company, until it reached Home Depot or Lowes?

I was browsing the newspaper Southwestern Times dated October 21, 1948 and came across a business advertisement for Emmamae Horn Dance Studio located at 6620 1/2 South Main Street. "Swing Your Partner" . . . . Get In On The Fun and Learn to Square Dance Beginners Classes Are Now Forming at the Emmamae Horn Dance Studio - 6620 1/2 South Main Mr. P.G. Crowe, Instructor New Class Starts Saturday, October 23, at 8 P.M. Phone L. 1847 / Phone H. 6555

I was browsing the newspaper Southwestern Times dated December 23, 1948 and came across this cool grocery/market store called South Main Food Market located at 8020 South Main Street near the present-day Texas Medical Center. Very cool history here!! I never knew about this market. Fireworks - Quality Fireworks of All Kinds * Special Prices Plenty of Parking Space * Ask about the Bicycle! South Main Food Market 8020 South Main Slightly different ad from December 16, 1948:

I was browsing the newspaper Texas Jewish Herald dated September 2, 1937 and came across a business advertisement for Gaido's White Horse Tavern located at 6808 South Main Street. A little confused. This was yet another business venture from Michi Gaidos? He also had 2 other restaurants. Given the date, maybe this was his first? Gaide's White Horse Tavern Main and Bellaire Fish, Crab, Chicken and Steak Dinners at Popular Prices Attractive Dining Room - Fast Curb Service Phone Lehigh 1293 In the newspaper dated April 19, 1934 an article specifies the address of the GWHT. Hadassah Card Party Houston Chapter of Hadassah is sponsoring a card party benefitting the Hospital Medical Organization of Hadassah at Gaido's White Horse Tavern, 6806 Main Street, on Wednesday, April 24, at 2 p.m. Table and door prizes will be given and refreshments served. Reservations may be made by calling Mrs. A Meyerson, chairman, Hadley 7709, or Mrs. Sampel Cohen, co-chairman, Fairfax 3887.

I was browsing the newspaper The Jewish Herald-Voice dated June 11, 1964 and came across an advertisement for a restaurant club called The Duval's Restaurant located at 11215 South Main Street. For A Delicious Luncheon or Dinner Visit The Duval’s Restaurant * 11215 South Main at Willowbend Under The Personal Supervision of Jean and Minnie Duval Now Open 12 Noon to 10 P.M. Every Day Including Sundays – Closed All Day Mondays Serving Superior Kosher Style and American Foods Complete Dinners $2.50 and up – Children under 12 Half Price Private Rooms Available For Meetings – Luncheons and Dinners Complete Catering Service For Weddings – Bar Mitzvah Receptions Rehearsal Dinners, Etc. Steaks- Broiled to Perfection Seafood- Fresh-Fried or Broiled Chicken- Tender and Crisp Potato Latkes – Blintzes, Kreplach Chopped Liver – Gefilte Fish – Roast Brisket And our fabulous Roast Beef Family Membership For The Entire Season In Our Large Swimming Pool is Now Available Plan your Next Party Around our Spacious and Attractive Grounds Around Large Swimming Pool Available For Luau and Other Functions

I was browsing the newspaper The Thresher dated October 23, 1931 and came across a business advertisement for South Main Bowling Alley located at the End O' Main. Another ad which I cannot find at the moment, specified the location of Main at Bellaire. A little confused. This isn't the infamous Palace Recreation Bowling Alley located at 6445 South Main Street? The Palace Recreation Lanes was said to be directly across from Rice University in the 6400-block of South Main. Holcombe & Main has an address of 6977 South Main, using the address of the old Shriner's Hospital. Guess they are different? I wonder why this bowling alley doesn't get the historical press as the Palace Recreation Lanes. I guess being across Rice University had some fame. I believe I figured it out. These bowling alleys are a decade apart! South Main Bowling Alley was active in the 1930s. Palace Recreation Bowling Alley was active in the 1940s. One Game of Ducks Free With One Paid game and this ad at the South Main Bowling Alley End O' Main The other bowling lanes from October 6, 1948:

I was browsing the newspaper The Rice Thresher dated March 19, 1985 and came across a business advertisement for Snacks By The Lb. located at 6626 South Main Street. I believe Snacks By The Lb. started in Pennsylvania in the 1980s. According to the flyer the TMC location was the first franchise in Texas. Does anyone recall this place? In terms of history, 1985 wasn't that long ago. Maybe someone on HAIF went here back in the day? This is my type of store! I'm pretty sure I'd pick sweet & salty snacks over candy any day! Chips, pretzels, popcorn, trail mix, nuts, breakfast bars, etc. Good stuff! Snacks By The lb. Store near the Texas Medical Center (The First Store in Texas)* Now Open M-F 9-6 Sat. 10-5 A Whole New, Exciting Concept In Snacks Food Shopping Featuring Over Three Hundred Different Snacks at Unbeatable Prices Including imported and domestic candies, chocolates, dried fruit and nuts, from cashews to pistachios – salted and unsalted. Pretzels, fudge; 40 flavors of popcorn; imported and domestic cookies and wafers. A gourmet section of coffee and tea. Freshly baked cookies and croissants. Plus a complete line of low calorie and sugar free candy made without sorbitol. Retail and Wholesale Fund Raising Programs And Party Package Discounts. Try Before You Buy Treat Yourself And Your Family We have a complete line of giftware’s and party platters for all occasions too! Cards and balloons too! 6626 S. Main (near Eckerd’s, Majors Bookstore) Houston, TX 77030 522-2443 *A Philadelphia Franchise 30% off on ½ lb. of all green items. Good till 3/3/85.

I was browsing the newspaper The Rice Thresher dated October 10, 1980 and came across an unusual advertisement for a club on South Main. This is the Rinestone Rangler Club located at 9150 South Main Street. A little confused. Did the former club The Ranch Houston Club close down and R&R went in? That's right, thought I recall hearing The Ranch burned down and then moved a few blocks over on Buffalo Speedway. I guess R&R was built after The Ranch left. Now Open Rinestone Rangler R&R Dance Hall and Salon Jimme Lou & Texas Touch 8:30-1:30 Tues.-Sun. World's Largest Happy Hour! 11am-8:30 Seven Days A Week $1.25 bar 25cent Draft. 9150 S. Main 665-1577

I was reading some old Geophysical and Oil and Gas magazines and a corporation struck my eye. The company is Clevite Corporation, Texas Division which had their manufacturing and offices located at 9820 South Main Street in the 1950s. Anyone recall this campus or company? Looks like their old campus was at the corner of South Main & the 610 feeder. Possibly occupied by the present-day Alec Center Shopping Center that houses the restaurant Ruchi's Mexican Grill. I would have loved to see the area in the 1950s. All those small mom & pop/privately owned businesses that once thrived. Now replaced by national realty companies specializing in class-b retail centers. Give it another 20-30 years and these small retail centers will be replaced with denser applications such as multifamily housing combined with retail. Electronics magazine dated 03/20/1959: Geophysics magazine dated 04/1959:

I was reading the newspaper The Bellaire Texan dated January 13, 1965 and came across a business advertisement for Gruner's located at 6616 South Main Street. Anyone ever do shoe shopping here? Gruner's 6616 S. Main Across From Medical Towers Ample Free Parking Opens 8:30 a.m. Close 5:30 Entire Stock Not Included.

I was browsing the newspaper The Rice Thresher dated September 2, 1988 and came across this business advertisement for Yogurt & More located located at 6638 South Main Street. Does anyone recall this place? It's fairly recent, so maybe some HAIFers went here back in the day? Come & Celebrate Grand Opening - Sept. 14 - 16. Colombo Yogurt, Colombo Lite, Vitari, Shakes, Desserts, Sandwiches, Soups, Salad Bar, Lunch Specials, Student Specials.

I was browsing the newspaper The Thresher dated October 17, 1930 and came across this advertisement for Green Mill Miniature Golf Links. Very cool! Yet more golfing for the South Main corridor. Too bad it's so old that we cannot look this up on historic images. Green Mill Miniature Golf Links Now Has Carpet Greens True Putting Stop at the sign of the Old Mill on Main Corner Southgate.