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I was browsing the newspaper Southwestern Times dated May 1, 1947 and came across a business advertisement for Petre's End O' Main Grill "Just Good Food" located at 2102 Bellaire Phone: K. 3-7945. Dine At Petre's End O' Main Grill "Just Good Food". Sunday Specials: Delicious Fried Chicken With Hot Biscuits Tender, Juicy K.C. Steaks 2102 Bellaire K. 3-7945 Open Everyday Week Days 6:30 A.M. to 10 P.M. Sundays 8:00 A.M. to 10 P.M

I was reading more of that local Southwestern Times Houston magazine. The issue was dated Thursday, April 25, 1946 and I saw a business listing for "Old Main" Dancing located One Block South of Bellaire Blvd. on Old Main St. Road. Does anyone know anything about this place? Very cool find! Never heard of it before.

I think it was the End o' Main Ballroom. Eating Bill Williams' fried chicken with your hands was "Fried Chicken - Savage Style". I never knew that you could eat it any other way.

I was browsing the newspaper The Thresher dated October 10, 1930 and came across a sports advertisement for End O' Main Golf Practice Field. Since there wasn't any other indication where this was located, it was located near Bellaire Blvd. (now Holcombe) and South Main Street. The Houston Golf Driving Contest. End O' Main Golf Practice Field Afternoon and Evening November 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th. Motion Pictures Taken During Contest. Silver Trophies. Valuable Accessory Prizes. Special Prize for most unique Male Golf Costume. Exhibition Driving by Houston's Foremost Golf Professional. Music - Refreshments.

I found this amazing piece of history that's wildly interesting on what ever happened with the land. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated July 3, 1923 and came across an article about John Henry Kirby's planned Country Estate at the End of Main. This estate would have came after his historic mansion in downtown at 2006 Smith Street. I wonder if there is any photos of the mansion? Mr. Kirby was extremely famous, so I bet there would be pictures of his new home. That is, if the country estate actually got built. For this estate, I believe they are talking about Old Main Street Road. Often times confused with South Main Street. I found a clue about the Kirby estate while reading Automotive News dated September 24, 1929: Houston, Tex., Sept. 23. - Actual development of the Curtiss Airport on the Kirby plot, adjacent to the Old Main Street Road, will start within ninety days, according to Paul C. Jackson, manager of the airport. The total size of the airport, almost, matches the John Henry Kirby's planned state. The Kirby estate was 400-acres while Curtiss Airport was on 450-acres. I'm thinking the proposed Kirby estate failed and he eventually sold the land to which Curtiss Airport acquired? Country Estate at End of Main planned by Kirby. 400 Acres on Brays Bayou will be transformed into beautiful spot. Two Mansions To Be Built. Two palatial country homes, rivaling the mansions a long the bank of the Hudson river in New York, will be constructed by John Henry Kirby and his son-in-law, J. Frederick B. Rawcliffe, at the southern end of Main street, between Bellaire Boulevard and Brays Bayou. John F. Staub, Houston representative of New York architectural firm headed by H.F. Lindeberg, said Monday that preliminary plans had been completed and approved. Mrs. John Henry Kirby last week departed for New York city, from which point she will leave for the Adirondack mountains. While in New York she was shown the plans and approved them, it was said Monday. Both Mr. Kirby and Mr. Rawcliffe are out of the city. Estate of 400 acres. "Mr. Kirby owns at last 400 acres of land which will be converted into a joint country estate," Mr. Staub said. "A month ago he had acquired that much and, I believe, that since that time he has purchased considerable more acreage. Purchases have extended over a period of nearly two years." A private park containing a golf course, an artificial lake, tennis courts, a marble swimming pool and paved driveways will surrounded the two dwellings, the exact plans of which would not be reveled by the architect. "It would be hard to say whether the house would be two stories in height or not, "Mr. Staub said." "One could not very well term that a two-story house," and he pointed to a picture on the wall showing architects' drawing of a country mansion. Plan Artificial Lake. Present plans, however, are said to call for buildings of marble, brick and stucco construction. The outstanding feature of the two estates, which will be connected so as to form a single beautify sport rivaling any in the South, is the plan of landscape. One end of the property is bounded by Brays bayou, a clear shallow stream, which bisects a stretch of rolling prairie and a wooded section. In the center of this prairie is a natural bed, which, it is understood, will be converted into an artificial lake. One of the houses will be occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Kirby, who now reside at 2006 Smith street. The other will be occupied by Mr. Rawcliffe and his wife, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kirby. A present they reside at 911 Lovett boulevard, Montrose. H.F. Lindeberg, architect, has prepared plans for many palatial homes in the city, including several residences in Shadyside, facing the sunken garden on Main street, opposite the northern entrance to Hermann park.

I was reading the newspaper The Texas Jewish Herald dated December 20, 1928 and came across a business advertisement for Schneider's Inn located at the End O' Main where Bridge Crosses Bayou. I'd imagine this was located on South Main and North Braeswood? The address would be something like, 7557 South Main Street. Where AHC's South Main Building stands today. Schneider's Inn. The place where you will find good things to eat and drink. Under personal management of Mrs. R.E. Schneider. 12 M. to 12 P.M. Try out delicious noonday lunch . . . . . . . . . 65c. Pavilion for bridge parties and private dances. End O' Main where Bridge Crosses Bayou. L. 5200 - R.F.D. No. 3, Box 31C.

I was browsing the newspaper The Texas Jewish Herald dated September 13, 1928 and came across an advertisement for The Tower. U.P. Broussard was the developer of the 1920s Houston Speedway (Bellaire Speedway) race track that was located on Stella Link near where present-day Pershing Middle School is. Compliments of the Season. The Tower U.P. Broussard, Prop. Oil, Gas and Refreshments End of Main Hadley 0120. '

I was browsing Ebay for TMC stuff and I noticed this matchbook containing businesses for both End-O-Main Liquor Store and Gaido's Cafe. The matchbook indicates the address of 6800 Block of Main & Bellaire. With help from @Ross we narrowed it down to 6810 S. Main. The 1942 city directory indicated the End-O-Main Liquor Store was owned (or managed) by Michi Gaidos. Did anyone ever shop here?