Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'racing'.
-
I remember going to Playland Park in Houston in the 1950s as a kid,fond memories!. My step-dad operated the motor boats,my brother and I would operate all of the lock levers to let boats out and in,that wouldn't have happened these days!. Please share your memories. We lived on the old Chocolate Bayou Road,and now I've heard it is "Cullen Blvd." We were close to Pearland,8 miles south of Holmes Rd.,near the Brazoria/Harris county line. What is out there now??. I remember there were cemeteries around us and not much else!. Thanks, Ron Hoover Denver Co.
-
I noticed in an old newspaper there was automobile racing at the Cotton Carnival back in the 1910s. I just had to research further! There was a single mention on HAIF dating back 16 years ago. Figured I could create a new thread for awareness and information. From the newspaper The Houston Post. dated July 31, 1910. Big Event This Week At Cotton Carnival Galveston, Texas Sunday- Pain's Fireworks. Monday- Life Saving Exhibition. Tuesday- Life Saving Exhibition Wednesday- Automobile Races. Red Men's Day Thursday Houston Day Automobile Races Pain's Gorgeous Fireworks! Friday- Beaumont Day Automobile Races Saturday- Shriner Day Four Band Concerts in Carnival Grounds Every Day $1.00 from Houston on all Railroads Wednesday, August 3rd, Thursday, August 4th and Friday, August 5th. The Cotton Palace — located at Avenue Q and 27th Street — was built as an addition to the 1902 Galveston Auditorium and was designed to house the Cotton Carnival’s exhibition hall https://www.rosenberg-library-museum.org/treasures/galvestons-cotton-carnival From 1909 to 1914 the Galveston Cotton Carnival featured a wildly popular auto race, on a track which ran 2.5 miles down Galveston beach, enabling a 5 mile circuit race, or if repeated, a longer race. The races were held a low tide, after a team of horses dragged railroad rails broadside down the beach, to smooth the racecourse and clear out debris accumulated from depositions of flotsam at high tide. (say one more sentence, what were winning models and speeds). In 1915, the beach was abandoned in favor of a specially designed half mile oval dirt track. https://www.torqqe.com/about/about-midkiff-warehouse/
-
I couldn't find any information about it. Here is the picture and caption from that monorail site: http://www.monorails.org/webpix/1956.jpg Now my question is what was "Arrowhead Park"? Was this an amusement park? I couldn't find it on a map of Houston from the mid-1950s.
- 34 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- amusement park
- monorail
- (and 6 more)
-
I was looking at a few HAIF threads combined with looking on historical satellite images, and I found this obscure race track. Looks like, in present-day, this is located at Kirby Drive & NRG Parkway. Makes me think this was having to deal with the Astrodome design/festivities. In the year 1944, you can see the race track was grown-over with grass. I'm thinking this was active in the 1920s. I wonder if this was a test track, or related, to the Arrowhead Speedway a few miles away. This could also be apart of a horse stables property. A horse riding track? I also didn't know that a portion of Old Main Street Road turned into Kirby Drive. I thought it was a Fannin Street swap? Arrowhead Speedway shown at the top of the image located on Old Spanish Trail near South Main Street. In this image, you can see the 4 oval race tracks: Left: Houston (Bellaire) Speedway Bottom: Unknown on OMSR Middle: Arrowhead Speedway Top: Unknown on OMSR
- 4 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- tmc race track
- racing
- (and 1 more)
-
I had forgotten about the Pla-Mor arcade downtown until you mentioned it. It was on Dallas, between Main and Fannin, across from where Sakowitz would eventually be built. I went there many times as a youngster in the mid-40's. As I remember, it was open-air, on the ground floor of some type of structure that may have been a parking garage. Where did you go to school while living at Playland? You and I are the same age. I am the "gentleman" you mentioned in your first post who was buying a Coke when that horrible accident occurred at Playland in 1959.
- 1 reply
-
- 1
-
-
- downtown
- amusement park
- (and 2 more)
-
I got a physical copy of the small book called Truths, Myths, and Rumors about the City of Bellaire by J. Michael McCorkle. My book, Life and Times Around Bellaire, Texas 1909 - 2013. www.bellairebook.com Rice Avenue Drag Strip During the mid-1950s, Rice Avenue served as the drag strip for Bellaire youth. At the time Rice Avenue was a two lane paved street running along the big drainage ditch. This “strip” was dangerous because of the ditch and would never have qualified for NHRA use. Races started at Jessamine and ended at Evergreen, about a quarter mile to the south. The down side of racing on Rice Avenue was the police station just down Jessamine from the start. It is rumored that even the cops sometimes races squad cars. Races were run at midnight, then everyone high-tailed it for home before the cops could catch them.
-
I was looking at a 1955 map of Sugar Land when I noticed an oval race track. The oval track is near Alkire Lake, Eldridge Lake, and the Houston Fishing Club Lake. Edit: This could also be considered Stafford, Texas. While searching for a name of the race track, Sugar Land's official government website indicates the race track belonged to one of the cofounders of Sugar Land, Benjamin Franklin Terry. According to Wikipedia, Benjamin Terry lived from February 18, 1821 to December 17, 1861. Looking for traces of the race track, I found it on both Google Earth Desktop and HA. HA had aerial photos of the race track in 1953. I don't think the race track would still be visible and still in the oval shape some 92 years after Benjamin Terry had died. The race track would be covered up with grass and trees over the past 90 years. Unless if someone, or some group, kept the race track alive for 92 years after Benjamin Terry's death. The City of Sugarland's history page says this: The Terry/Kyle plantation, particularly Terry’s opulent home, became the area’s social center. The house included a ballroom and was close to a horse track. Terry’s home and race track were located near today’s Sugar Mill Elementary School; 13707 Jess Pirtle Blvd, Sugar Land, TX 77498. The track was located at the intersection of South Kirkwood Road and Wright Road; just off South Main Street (Highway 90). You can map it yourselves by going to Walong Marketing, Inc. at 12950 S Kirkwood Rd, Stafford, TX 77477.
-
I'm not sure if HAIF has any threads that discuss Radio Controlled race cars. Is this anyone's hobby? Back in the 1990s there was, apparently, an R/C speedway located in Friendswood. With an address of 4409 FM 2351. T.M.T. R/C Speedway, Inc. Incorporation Date: May 17, 1989 Dissolution Date: September 30, 1991 Inactive Directors/Officers: Joseph S Vitable Registered Address: 4409 FM 2351 Friendswood, TX 77546 United States Google Earth image from 1995: HS aerial from 1995 as well: By 2002 the R/C race track was paved over with concrete:
-
What was the name of the dirt track on South Main? I went there only once as a kid in the mid 70s and a car flipped over right in front of us. It was really cool! :-) That site sat vacant for a very long time and I think was still there in the mid to late 80s. Also, anyone know what the name of the motorcycle racing track that used to be at 59 & 610? I have seen some web sites here and there dedicated to old auto racing sites in various locations around the country but never any for the Houston area. Now that would be awesome!
-
Can anyone tell me where I can find pictures of old amusement parks? I was looking for Hanna-Barbera Land, Fame City, and Games People Play. There has got to be pictures somewhere. Also I was curious about pictures of teen hang outs around Humble. For example, Fun Factory, Golf and Games, and 2 movie theaters that are no longer there. Thanks for any help anyone has to offer!!!!!
-
I grew up in the Hiram Clarke area in the 1960's and 70's. Went to Montgomery Elementary, Dowling Junior High, and Madison High. We used to go to the South Main Drive In, (then later McClendon Triple). Don't know if this is the same but I do recall going to the go carts on South Main. It was located on the southern side of the street past Willowbend and before the South Loop, it was on one side of the fire station. Had a lot of fun there!
- 3 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- westbury
- willowbend
- (and 3 more)
-
Houston reddit u/gt35r posted.... https://www.speedsport.com/drag-racing/nhra/houston-raceway-park-to-close-in-2022/
-
HAIF user @blue92mentioned a race track on Holmes Road and South Main. I had to see for myself! Looks to be located near present-day 11333 Cliffwood Drive near Greenwillow Street, backing up to South Main Street. The tracks seem to have grown over with grass in 1944 and 1953. In 1973, you can see the Willowbend neighborhood taking shape. You can actually see two oval tracks. There is a small track within the larger oval track. Anyone know anything about this? An amazing find!!
- 4 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- willowbend
- tmc race track
- (and 2 more)
-
I tried to search past topics and thought for sure these were covered so unless I am mistaken so can someone please fill in the blanks? 1. Were the Coliseum & Music Hall built as one or rather in unison to compliment each other? 2. Built what year/years? and demolished? 3. Is there any documentation that could indicate which performers played there? I know for sure I went to Ringling Bros/Barnum circus at the Coliseum around 1966 as a child. It seemed like Disneyland, only inside. First Rock Concert 1976 saw Boston w/Styx and too many after that to name. Glad I saved my ticket stubs. My mom told me she saw Frank Sinatra twice when the Music Hall was quite new. Frank's bobby-soxer era so it must have been way back.
-
I was reading the newspaper South Belt Leader dated June 26, 1986 and came across an article about Go-Karts. Within the article it mentioned a race track called Triple C Raceway located in Alvin, TX. Anyone know about this? I wonder if there was anyone on HAIF who has raced here in the past? The local transplant adds the experience of racing 50-60 times at Alvin's Triple C Raceway gives him a "home court" advantage over out-of-town contestants.
-
I was browsing the newspaper The Bellaire Texan dated September 21, 1960 and came across a classified listing that mentioned the business Bellaire Turnpike Go-Kart Race Track At 5433 Richmond Road, now Bissonnet Street. Does anyone have any memories here? Any pictures of the place? I tried looking on old images but I cannot locate the go-kart place. Maybe it was a smaller indoor track? This would have been at the intersection of Bissonnet and Chimney Rock. Plan a Go Kart party, Bellaire Turnpike, 5433 Richmond Road, Special Rates, church, school, social clubs, birthday parties, after the game. Exclusive Clipper Karts, safety first. For reservations. MA 3-0219 - MO 5-5954 - JA 6-1737. -
I was looking around the landscape of the of South Main coordinator in the 1950s and found a zig-zag race track (which would either be motorcycle dirt bike racing - motocross, or go-kart racing) next to the old Sam Houston Airport located on South Main Street. This race track was located at the present-day Hillcroft Street off of South Main Street. With addresses, around, 12417 Hillcroft Ave. near 13755 South Main St. The race track existed before that section of Hillcroft street was built. Anyone know about this track? Would love to know a name, or address, so I can research it further. With oval tracks, it's always a hit or miss if they are actual race tracks as they could be horse riding rings instead. With a track orientation like this, this can only be a race track of sorts? It's next to the airport, but I doubt planes would make all those loopy zig-zag turns. What else could it be?
-
There has been some confusion about how Buffalo Speedway was named. In the discussion people have brought up the oval track on Westheimer Road and the oval track on Stella Link by the present-day Pershing Middle School. HAIF has figured out the large oval track on Stella Link near Buffalo Speedway was called the Houston Speedway, often times referred to the Bellaire Speedway. Nobody had concrete information about the oval track on Westheimer Road. Everything about the mysterious oval track was from maps and internet articles. I was researching Mitchell Louis Westheimer earlier this week. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Daily Post dated January 4, 1896 and saw a classified ad by M.L. Westheimer about leasing of a race track. The ad states: Race Track For Lease- I will lease my one-mile regulation race track, three and one-half miles from Houston, to good, responsible parties. Address M.L. Westheimer, Houston. Here's a Bellaire map from 1921. You can see the edge of the city on the far right. The street grid with the rectangle dots that are, presumably, buildings. The oval track is roughly 3-1/2 miles west of the city. I think HAIF has finally figured this out! In the map by the oval track you can see the same rectangle dots and circular red dots. I'd imagine those were buildings (dwellings, stables, barns, shacks, etc.) and then red circles are, presumably, water wells. In 1906, Mitchell's wife posted a classified ad selling the remainder of the 640-Acre Westheimer farm. 88-1/2 acres left over. The ad states: My farm of 88 1/2 acres with dwellings, barns, wells, etc.; suitable for dairy or truck farm. Apply Mrs. M.L. Westheimer, 1501 Texas avenue.
- 4 replies
-
- 2
-
-
-
- river oaks
- westheimer family
- (and 2 more)
-
I was looking around at old images of Meyerland and came across an unusual shape in the forest land prior to Meyer Park Shopping Center being built. This would have been in the early 1960s. 1962 to be exact. I never knew about this! I wonder if this is a second, not as serious, Meyer Speedway? Looks like the race track was located at the present-day Banfield Pet Hospital located at 10275 South Post Oak Road. The track could have also had a West Bellfort address as well. It was located on the corner of S. Post Oak and W. Bellfort. Given the shape of the race track, this would have been a motorcycle/motocross track? Or possibly a go-kart track? It's not an oval shape. Looking on Google, both motocross and go-kart tracks have that similar "zigzag" shape. I know there were a few dirt bike retail stores in the area. Such as Westbury Yamaha located on West Bellfort near the present-day Taco Cabana. 1953, before Meyerland/Willowbend got developed! 1962: Larger: 2023, Meyer Park Shopping Center. The track was located where the first building is, on the narrow corner at the bottom. *and wow look at all that surface parking!! I wonder if Meyerland will ever densify and build on those vacant lots? Just build a parking garage, or two and then get rid of the surface lots!
-
That big hill at 610/59 was definitely a waterslide at one point. My brother's girlfriend (at the time) worked there, so I'd rike my bike over & she'd let me ride for free. I was trying really hard to remember when that was, but I know that I was either nearly out of elementary or just starting junior high - so that would put it around '80-'82 ?
-
This race track had me confused for a month. Some of the historic race track books and databases list the wrong thing! Wouldn't be a first. I remember the misspelling of "Almedo Speedway" for Almeda Speedway. South Main Speedrome located on Eagle Avenue and South Main Street. I went to Google Earth and couldn't find a track there in Midtown by The Ion. I then, mistakenly, typed Main Street at Eagle Avenue and it took me to Pasadena, TX! South Main Speedrome - Houston - 1/5 mile dirt oval (4/07/46 - c. 7/10/47). (AKA South Main Track) / located at South Main & Eagle Ave. Another false, or mistaken, track listing: South Main Track - Houston / possibly Arrowhead Park Speedway. 1/2 mile dirt oval (c. 1929) (1937 - c. 5/25/41 (1946 - 147). The above would be the South Main Speedway located on Old Main Street Road, across from South Main Street. Circa 1929 is right. I have a map from 1930 that verifies it. Arrowhead Park Speedway is not close to the South Main Speedway as they suggested. The race track, if it's even called South Main Speedrome, is located closer to Shaver Street & at the end of Main Street. Also located on the feeder road of Highway 225 / Pasadena Freeway by the Shaver exit. Google Earth views from December 1944:
-
I was reading the newspaper The Bellaire Texan dated October 12, 1955 and found an article about Camp Cherokee that was located on the former site of a sanitary landfill. At the end of the article there was a few sentences that discussed a race track in Bellaire. I don't think they are speaking about the Houston Speedway (later named Bellaire Speedway.) They must be speaking about a race track within the City of Bellaire municipal limits. The dates are different. The Houston Speedway shut down in the 1930s. The article is dated in the 1950s. I thought I remembered hearing about a smaller race track in Bellaire in the 1940s/1950s. Does anyone recall this? I will see if I can find the other article giving a more precise location. Thought it was near the West Loop? I tried to look on Google Earth once and could not locate an oval track. Camp Cherokee Finally Opens. Rain and muddy roads all but postponed Camp Cherokee opening for the second time Saturday but the 100 braved the seven miles out to the sanitary fill site for the formal dedication of the acres of land turned over as a picnic ground for Bellaire families. All sporting events and demonstrations of the land fill method were cancelled. The afternoon became simply a big weiner roast (hot dogs furnished free by the Recreation Department) with miniature tracts awarded as gate prizes. Welcoming the visitors, William Byrd, chairman of the City Recreation Board, asked that Bellaire families consider the acreage as their picnic grounds and assured them the board will see that Camp Cherokee will be used for the benefit of Bellaire young. In his brief remarks, Mayor H.L. Hodell reveled that the land across the road from Camp Cherokee was now quoted at $2100 per acre compared with $685 per acre that the city paid last year. City manager Gary Summers announced that the one-fourth mile oval track is ready for midget car try-outs. Ready, that is, when the sun comes out and dries the mud.
-
I was reading the newspaper The Baytown Sun dated August 20, 1967 and came across an article about proposed Speedway Race Track at Bear Creek Park. I am not sure if this proposal actually went through. Anyone know anything about it? Harris Authorizes Speedway Study For Bear Creek. Houston - The Harris County Commissioner Court has authorized a study of a proposed $8.5 million speedway race track at Bear Creek park. The track, if approved, would be paid for with the revenue bonds issues by Harris County without cost to the taxpayers. Funds would come from the rental of the property to the Houston Motor Speedway Corp., which approached the council about the race track. The plans call for a 2.5-mile oval track similar to the one in Indianapolis and would be used for roaster and stock car racing. Harold Burrow, a former president of Tennessee Gas Transmission Co., who heads the group behind the race track proposal, said the group hopes to have construction started in early 1968 and hold the first race in 1969. Burrow said it would take about 350 acres of land for the facility. The Bear Creek Park is in West Harris County near the Addicks and Barker Dams on property the county is leasing from the federal government.
-
In the late 40's and early 50's there was a dirt track located in Channelview near the intersection of Sheldon Rd and Bear Bayou. It was active until about 1955 at the latest because I learned to drive on the old abandoned track in about 1958. Anyhow, it was only open on weedends and mostly stock cars built by local junkyard operators raced there but occassionally midget races and modifieds ran. These were mostly drivers from out of town (Houston was considered a long way off from Channelview in the 50's before I-10 was built.) I cannot remember any drivers who raced there but am sure some of the ones you have mentioned made the circuit.
