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I was browsing the publication The Citizen dated May 12, 1976 and came across a business ad for Kettle Restaurants, alternatively named Kettle Pancake Houses. Almost like a One's A Meal situation. The actual name of the restaurant was Brooks Sandwich Shops but their signature sandwich was called One's A Meal. Looks like the Kettle Restaurants/Kettle Pancake Houses were owned by a company called H.L.H. Enterprises, Inc. P.O. Box 2964 Houston, Tex 77001 I'm not sure about all the Kettle restaurants. There were also Dutch Kettle Restaurants and Kopper Kettle Cafeterias. Anyone have knowledge about these places? I believe Kettle Restaurant was a cheaper alternative to Dutch Kettle? Kettle Restaurants had a whole bunch of locations! 10317 South Main St. 9047 South Main St. 5545 Southwest Freeway 2701 Mangum (N.W. Frwy.) 7628 Bellaire Blvd. 25115 Interstate 45 7625 Katy Freeway 337 F.M. 1960

I found a rare, obscure 1940s amusement park! I've never seen it discussed on the internet or in the library archives before! I was searching around Twitter for Playland Park. A Twitter account that documents Houston history posted some Playland Park memories and (wrongfully) included a Speer Park flyer in the post body. At first thought I thought Speer Park was just a rebranding of Playland Park, but it appears it's a whole different amusement park! Anyone know about this park? I wonder why it's never spoken about? Maybe Playland Park overshadowed the smaller park? I just don't know why this park didn't have any daily/weekly newspaper articles and advertisements. No press whatsoever! The park was located in the opposite direction of Sivils' Drive-In Restaurant At 8001 South Main St. and Prince's Hamburgers Drive-In Restaurant At 8101 South Main St. The developer, owner, and manager was Sim L. Speer. "Houston's Permanent Family Playgound - Cool Speer Park" In the April 10, 1943 edition of Billboard Magazine, there was a listing of all the Texas amusement parks: Galveston- Beach Amusement Park Sam Serio, Manager. Has eight rides, six concession games. Houston- Playland Amusement Park John E. Williams - Secy. On South Main St. Houston- Speer Park Sim L. Speer - Owner. Has 10 rides, 20 concession games. Houston- Sylvan Beach Park E.L. Crain, Owner / H.W. Dahse, Manager. Has five rides, four concession games. Another Billboard Magazine article from the early 1940s: Houston, April 11 - Speer Park, under management of Sim L. Speer, opened its season yesterday, with all special low prices for kids under 12 to be in effect thruout season, Fridays thru Sundays. Park has 10 rides and 20 concession games. Billboard article about a day in Houston visiting Playland Park and Speer Park: 1940s ground water report specifying the location of Speer Park that was 5-3/4 miles southwest of the Houston courthouse. Here's a 1955 aerial image of the South Main/Old Spanish Trail "Y" Split. The two drive-in restaurants are located in the center, off of South Main. I'm not sure which side Speer Park was on. The amusement park might have been dismantled and demolished by the time of the photograph? I'll have to look at Google Earth Desktop a bit later to see the 1944 images. Maybe you can see the park with Google Earth. Can anyone spot the park?

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!!

Cool when my family moved to Houston in 1962, we stayed at the Las Vegas Inn.

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

On HAIF, there seems to be some confusion on the location of the first, original Antone's. Some mention the original location is at 807 Taft Street, but others say it was located on the Kirby/Main triangle in a gas station. Perhaps this confusion lies with the type of restaurant? One is a pop-up in a gas station, while the other is a dedicated brick & mortar store? "On the intersection of S. Main and O.S.T. there was a Sinclair service station that later became the 1st Antone's," https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/47894-sinclair-gas-stationantone’sdroubis-at-6500-south-main-st/#comment-568210 "I believe that those rail cars were originally Victoria's Station and then later became Antone's. It was on that triangular strip of land where Main and OST come together." https://www.houstonarchitecture.com/haif/topic/47700-victoria-gas-stationantone’sdroubis-at-7807-kirby-dr/#comment-19444 While looking at the Houston Public Library's Digital Archives I noticed some concrete information about the stores locations. Antone's #2 was located at 8111 South Main St. Antone's #1 was indeed located at 807 Taft St. Antone's #3 was located at 1639 South Voss St. From the research I did, there is still a location, although rebranded as Angelo'z "World's Best Po'boys", at 8057 Kirby Drive near Old Spanish Trail. https://cdm17006.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/postcards/id/1653/rec/1

http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/morning_call/2011/03/menninger-clinic-to-break-ground-on.html This may have already been posted but I coudln't find it.

Anyone remember the "Shamrock 6" a six screen theater on South Main across from the Shamrock Hotel. First movie I saw there was "The Andromeda Strain" in 1971. I seem to recall them advertising themselves as Houston's first multiplex. Early on, it was quite easy to see two or three movies with one ticket--go to the bathroom and return to another screen. Eventually, they started checking tickets to crack down on the practice. Googled around, one site claimed they closed down in 85, not sure that's accurate. Compared to today's stadium seating, it was kind of cheezy, and so were some of the movies. "The Stewardesses" in 3D. Which I can't remember if I saw or not. Just remember the ads.

I think you are giving the theater 2 more screens than they actually had. The Shamrock may have been the first theater to have more than two screens. I remember the theater. It didn't take it long to go down hill. Now the space is a parking lot for the Medical Center.

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 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 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.

Looking for information about the old King Motor Lodge at 9051 South Main Street in Houston, TX. This motel was on the outskirts of the Texas Medical Center, TMC. Does anyone have any pictures of this building? Any postcards around, or even memories to share?

My father-in-law was a native Houstonian, and he used to talk about an old illegal casino/brothel(?) out Hwy 90. He said it existed after WWII and up into the 1950's. There was an old brick gatehouse just west of the current Beltway on the south side of 90 that he said belonged to the casino...does anyone know about this, or was my late father-in-law yankin' my chain? Jake Friedman Domain Privee Casino At 11620 South Main St. Edit: This is actually located on Old Main Street Loop Road near South Main Street (Highway 90.)

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 was wondering if anyone on HAIF knew some information about the old 1940s/1950s restaurant near the Texas Medical Center called Price's Hamburgers, also could be named Price's Restaurant. The address is, apparently, 8301 South Main Street. The address also could have been 8299 South Main Street. Price's Hamburger's was a burger chain in Houston (and other parts of Texas?) founded by Price Lovelady. There is almost no history of this restaurant on the internet! I do not see any newspaper/magazine advertisements, pictures, menus, matchbooks, or post cards. Wondering why a chain restaurant with several locations in a big city would be so scarce? HAIF is a Houston knowledge database, and thankfully in the native Price's Hamburgers thread there is a single photo. This might be the only evidence on the internet (except for public comments/postings) that this restaurant existed. @Michelle C said: There was a Price's at the corner of Washington and Shepherd in 1958. Edit: To be clear, this is Price's Hamburgers founded by Price Lovelady. Often confused with Prince's Hamburgers, founded by Doug Prince.