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Williams Tower At 2800 Post Oak Blvd.

DaTrain

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Karick42

Karick42

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Can anyone tell me if they have shut the beacon off? The last couple of times that I have seen the Galleria area at night, it hasn't been on. I tried to do some research to see if any of the news stations had any reports on it but I couldn't find anything. I just had this huge fear that because of high gas prices they might have shut it down for a while or something.

Thanks!

Edited by Karick42
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Pumapayam

Pumapayam

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Can anyone tell me if they have shut the beacon off? The last couple of times that I have seen the Galleria area at night, it hasn't been on. I tried to do some research to see if any of the news stations had any reports on it but I couldn't find anything. I just had this huge fear that because of high gas prices they might have shut it down for a while or something.

Thanks!

I asked the same question here.

I got no answer, but I have seen the beacon turned on and rotating at night since that post. So it is hit or miss, but it is still on at random times.

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jaskerr

jaskerr

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I worked for a company in Transco/Williams for about two and a half years. Was in an office area on the 56th floor close to the northeast corner.

The elevators on 1 will take you to 51, then switch to access 52-64. The ones on 2 take 3-50. Taking 1 to 51 took around 45-50 seconds.

Being that high up was great, you wouldn't believe all the people who had binoculars or, in a few cases, telescopes. If there was a wreck on 610, you could walk down the east hallway and see everyone standing at the windows looking through their binoculars down onto the accident. :) They were also good for bikini watches at the half dozen or so hotel swimming pools that you could see from there. :wub:

When I started, 51 was still open to the west side, but by the time I left the company, Hines had installed a conference room that took up 98% of the window area facing towards the west. The east side was office space...some financial consulting firm I believe.

Unfortunately I never tried to go higher to the other floors. Once, when a buddy and I were bored, we tried to race all the way down the stairwell. Being out of shape, I was ready to collapse before we gave up around the 20th floor. Had to keep going down to another floor before we could exit the stairwell without using a cardkey. We never had to evacuate during a fire drill, only had to wait by a stairwell. I just couldn't imagine the chaos that would ensue if they tried to evacuate the building that way.

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Karick42

Karick42

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Unfortunately I never tried to go higher to the other floors. Once, when a buddy and I were bored, we tried to race all the way down the stairwell. Being out of shape, I was ready to collapse before we gave up around the 20th floor. Had to keep going down to another floor before we could exit the stairwell without using a cardkey. We never had to evacuate during a fire drill, only had to wait by a stairwell. I just couldn't imagine the chaos that would ensue if they tried to evacuate the building that way.

That was pretty funny! I busted out laughing in my office. It must have been really cool to go there every day to work.

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Metro Matt

Metro Matt

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Can anyone tell me if they have shut the beacon off? The last couple of times that I have seen the Galleria area at night, it hasn't been on. I tried to do some research to see if any of the news stations had any reports on it but I couldn't find anything. I just had this huge fear that because of high gas prices they might have shut it down for a while or something.

Thanks!

Hmm

Was it after midnight when you saw it?

The beacon usually comes on right at dusk & shuts off exactly at midnight.

Maintenance maybe?

Edited by Metro Matt
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travelguy_73

travelguy_73

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For anyone curious, I was told by a building maintenance manager that the beacon atop Williams Tower was pretty badly damaged in Ike. So it might be a while before we see her light again. Other parts of the building fared much better, with water damage mainly in the corner offices.

Edited by travelguy_73
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Karick42

Karick42

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Hmm

Was it after midnight when you saw it?

The beacon usually comes on right at dusk & shuts off exactly at midnight.

Maintenance maybe?

No, this was at around 9 or 10. I don't know if it's maintenance because this will be about each week or so. It could be but I'm not sure. I haven't seen it on in a while though. I tried to see if it was on the other night 9/17 and it wasn't on.

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carol802

carol802

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This probably should be elsewhere on this site but I think the folks I have seen responding on this section might know.

We went to the Medical Center again today & were early so we drove past S.Main on 610 and looped around to Bellaire so I could see my old stomping grounds, Meyerland Plaza. (Bought Sgt Pepper & first stereo headphones there). It looked great! Area doing better than I had assumed.

I hadn't been that way in maybe 20 years. As we headed towards Bellaire exit looking North on 610 somewhere up ahead (at 59 maybe?) is this HUGE gothic/art deco/Bat Man looking skyscraper. It struck me as Beautiful and Looming.

What is that? Where is it? How long has it been there? Thanks!!

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carol802

carol802

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Thanks for the info. That's it! I have probably seen in from different angles over the years but that straight line towards it like a runway after making that 610 curve heading north puts a whole new dimension on it. I lived in Houston for 32 years (worked at St.Lukes when they began the twin towers in the early 70's) , moved to Southern California for 10 years and enjoyed L.A.'s everchanging skyline, then moved to the Beaumont area (zero "skyscrapers") and have been here for 13 years. Not regularly seeing the Houston skyline makes me appreciate it even more when I see these buildings from different angles. They are truly captivating. If you haven't seen that building from that angle in a noon slighty gloomy day it's like they had they direction in mind when they designed it. That picture from that angle doesn't do the building justice. I look forward to seeing it at night from that 610 Bellaire direction & see how the lighting edges that art deco look.

Thanks again!

Also passed the Capitan Theater on 225 and it still looks great and yep! still no "El"

Edited by carol802
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TJones

TJones

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Williams Tower used to claim to be the tallest building outside of a downtown area, but no idea if they still do.

As a matter of fact, this past Monday Night Football game, it was given a mention by the sports announcers. So, I guess we still claim it. :D

Edited by TJones
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FilioScotia

FilioScotia

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Also passed the Capitan Theater on 225 and it still looks great and yep! still no "El"

There never has been an "El" in that theater's name. It's always been just the "Capitan" Theater. Not the "El" Capitan.

And since we're talking about tall buildings, how long will it take for someone to weigh in here with the name of the tallest American building west of the Mississippi River?

Edited by FilioScotia
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carol802

carol802

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I had seen in one of the older strings about old theaters that there was some confusion from a younger crowd as to why they would not have put El before Capitan. Just thought I would throw that in there since I got a good look at it the other day. I also saw the Bellaire turned Whole Foods. We used to go on Saturday mornings for the kiddie shows but I mostly remember going to see Romeo & Juliet in Jr High and getting my first big smooch with a boy with braces on his teeth. Also on that same side of Bellaire but past Stella Link was the Prince's hamburger stand where you talked to the prince/clown head to order. Across the street at the corner was a Weiners where I clearly remember the seperate and unequal bathrooms and water fountains.

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rsb320

rsb320

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There never has been an "El" in that theater's name. It's always been just the "Capitan" Theater. Not the "El" Capitan.

And since we're talking about tall buildings, how long will it take for someone to weigh in here with the name of the tallest American building west of the Mississippi River?

First Interstate Tower (now US Bank Toewr) in LA is a few feet taller than TCB/Chase tower in Houston.

FIT = 310.3m - 73FL

Chase = 305.4 - 75FL

I think the building in LA has a crown type feature that makes it win.

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editor

editor

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Posted
First Interstate Tower (now US Bank Toewr) in LA is a few feet taller than TCB/Chase tower in Houston.

FIT = 310.3m - 73FL

Chase = 305.4 - 75FL

I think the building in LA has a crown type feature that makes it win.

It does have a crown, but it looks like it houses mechanical stuff and the helipad. I don't think it's merely ornamental (other than to hide the usual ugliness)

USBankTower-Oct08-006.jpg

From HAIF's sister site, Southland Architecture

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readam

readam

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I had seen in one of the older strings about old theaters that there was some confusion from a younger crowd as to why they would not have put El before Capitan. Just thought I would throw that in there since I got a good look at it the other day. I also saw the Bellaire turned Whole Foods. We used to go on Saturday mornings for the kiddie shows but I mostly remember going to see Romeo & Juliet in Jr High and getting my first big smooch with a boy with braces on his teeth. Also on that same side of Bellaire but past Stella Link was the Prince's hamburger stand where you talked to the prince/clown head to order. Across the street at the corner was a Weiners where I clearly remember the seperate and unequal bathrooms and water fountains.

If I remember correctly that was a Price's hamburger joint across from Weiners on Bellaire and Stella link...there was a Princes in Bellaire at the crossing of Bellaire and Bissonnet, next to the still present Broiler Burger

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carol802

carol802

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That's it! The Price's I remember was in the late 50's & 60's. Google shows a jack-in-the-box there now. We (my mom & siblings) didn't travel far off of Stella Link/Weslyan in those years from South Main to 59. I went to West University Elementary & Shearn (& Johnston JrH, Westbury & Madison), and shopped at the Weingartens at Montclair shopping center & the one south of Braeswood. We would go to Weiners or to the Bellaire theater or our pediatricians office that was across the street from the theater. They put up an A&W at the (Southwest?) corner of Stella L & Bellaire in the late 60's early 70's. We went to the Prince's on S.Main as a HUGE treat.

I'm recovering from a major head injury. This website that I found only a week ago has been a God Send! It has helped re-fire memory points that weren't that great before the accident! It is bizarre what I remember now triggered by the strings here. Visualizations, scents, tastes and feelings that all have to do with my itsy-bitsy part of growing up and being a part of the Houston history.

Edited by carol802
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JLWM8609

JLWM8609

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I'm recovering from a major head injury. This website that I found only a week ago has been a God Send! It has helped re-fire memory points that weren't that great before the accident! It is bizarre what I remember now triggered by the strings here. Visualizations, scents, tastes and feelings that all have to do with my itsy-bitsy part of growing up and being a part of the Houston history.

That's great to hear how beneficial the site has been to you! Sounds like Haif has found a new slogan. "TheHAIF; Just what the doctor ordered." ^_^

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carol802

carol802

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Wow, Flipper! Thanks for sharing that. That's awsome. I was wondering how I was gonna get a shot like that without another bonk on the noggin!

I discovered the little bubble cameras in Google last night. We don't have that detail on the views of our bumpkin neighborhoods. On the South Main driv- in spot I posted I said I had watched the drive-in out my bedroom window. I could see the window like I was standing on Willowbend. Made me want to duck and cover!

Thanks everybody for letting me dive in to your site!

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  • 1 month later...
sheeats

sheeats

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Posted
That robot looks friendly; the one to the west terrifies me. I've not even been out the new Katy Freeway for fear of it.

You aren't missing anything. Every morning as I drive towards it I think, "Maybe this is the day that I'll come to peace with the Decepticon." I can't ever truly like the Decepticon, of course, but I'm hoping that I'll eventually make peace with its evil presence. But so far that day has yet to come. :(

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capt. kirk

capt. kirk

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Thanks for the info. That's it! I have probably seen in from different angles over the years but that straight line towards it like a runway after making that 610 curve heading north puts a whole new dimension on it. I lived in Houston for 32 years (worked at St.Lukes when they began the twin towers in the early 70's) , moved to Southern California for 10 years and enjoyed L.A.'s everchanging skyline, then moved to the Beaumont area (zero "skyscrapers") and have been here for 13 years. Not regularly seeing the Houston skyline makes me appreciate it even more when I see these buildings from different angles. They are truly captivating. If you haven't seen that building from that angle in a noon slighty gloomy day it's like they had they direction in mind when they designed it. That picture from that angle doesn't do the building justice. I look forward to seeing it at night from that 610 Bellaire direction & see how the lighting edges that art deco look.

Thanks again!

Also passed the Capitan Theater on 225 and it still looks great and yep! still no "El"

HEY CAROL.........THERE IS AN OBSERVATION FLOOR AT THE WILLIAMS TOWER............YOU SHOULD GO UP THERE SOMEDAY................ALSO THERE IS A 75 STORY BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON THAT HAS AN OBSERVATION FLOOR TOO, GREAT VIEWS............AND THE EL CAPITAN IS PART OF THE HISTORY OF PASADENA............THE OLDER PART, RIGHT

Thanks for the info. That's it! I have probably seen in from different angles over the years but that straight line towards it like a runway after making that 610 curve heading north puts a whole new dimension on it. I lived in Houston for 32 years (worked at St.Lukes when they began the twin towers in the early 70's) , moved to Southern California for 10 years and enjoyed L.A.'s everchanging skyline, then moved to the Beaumont area (zero "skyscrapers") and have been here for 13 years. Not regularly seeing the Houston skyline makes me appreciate it even more when I see these buildings from different angles. They are truly captivating. If you haven't seen that building from that angle in a noon slighty gloomy day it's like they had they direction in mind when they designed it. That picture from that angle doesn't do the building justice. I look forward to seeing it at night from that 610 Bellaire direction & see how the lighting edges that art deco look.

Thanks again!

Also passed the Capitan Theater on 225 and it still looks great and yep! still no "El"

AND CAROL...............THEY HAVE TUNNELS UNDERNEATH DOWNTOWN HOUSTON JUST FULL OF STORES AND EATERIES............YOU CAN WALK THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF TOWN.............ITS REALLY NEAT UNDER THERE...............YOU SHOULD TRY THAT SOMETIME TOO

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Gary

Gary

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HEY CAROL.........THERE IS AN OBSERVATION FLOOR AT THE WILLIAMS TOWER............YOU SHOULD GO UP THERE SOMEDAY................ALSO THERE IS A 75 STORY BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON THAT HAS AN OBSERVATION FLOOR TOO, GREAT VIEWS............AND THE EL CAPITAN IS PART OF THE HISTORY OF PASADENA............THE OLDER PART, RIGHT

AND CAROL...............THEY HAVE TUNNELS UNDERNEATH DOWNTOWN HOUSTON JUST FULL OF STORES AND EATERIES............YOU CAN WALK THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF TOWN.............ITS REALLY NEAT UNDER THERE...............YOU SHOULD TRY THAT SOMETIME TOO

What the?

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Pumapayam

Pumapayam

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HEY CAROL.........THERE IS AN OBSERVATION FLOOR AT THE WILLIAMS TOWER............YOU SHOULD GO UP THERE SOMEDAY................ALSO THERE IS A 75 STORY BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON THAT HAS AN OBSERVATION FLOOR TOO, GREAT VIEWS............AND THE EL CAPITAN IS PART OF THE HISTORY OF PASADENA............THE OLDER PART, RIGHT

AND CAROL...............THEY HAVE TUNNELS UNDERNEATH DOWNTOWN HOUSTON JUST FULL OF STORES AND EATERIES............YOU CAN WALK THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF TOWN.............ITS REALLY NEAT UNDER THERE...............YOU SHOULD TRY THAT SOMETIME TOO

Captain Kirk beams this year old post back from the dead. I hope Carol appreciates it.

How Doogie Howser of you.

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editor

editor

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Posted

Weird... I didn't know people still used the old Commodore 64's. I guess it's a nostalgic thing.

I think so. You can pick them up cheap on eBay. I would get one, except that I remember what a nightmare long-form typing on that keyboard is. The 64 could do a lot of things, but the keyboard was not it's best asset.

There are yearly convention of 64 enthusiasts around the country. One was held near me recently, but I was out of town and wasn't able to go.

My dream machine ever since I was a kid is an Executive 64. Every time one comes up for bid on eBay, I watch it. Sometimes I bid. So far, I've never won.

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Highway6

Highway6

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Posted

HEY CAROL.........THERE IS AN OBSERVATION FLOOR AT THE WILLIAMS TOWER............YOU SHOULD GO UP THERE SOMEDAY................ALSO THERE IS A 75 STORY BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON THAT HAS AN OBSERVATION FLOOR TOO, GREAT VIEWS............AND THE EL CAPITAN IS PART OF THE HISTORY OF PASADENA............THE OLDER PART, RIGHT

The observation deck in the Williams Tower has been closed to the public for years... you should probably get out more.

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kylejack

kylejack

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Posted (edited)

HEY CAROL.........THERE IS AN OBSERVATION FLOOR AT THE WILLIAMS TOWER............YOU SHOULD GO UP THERE SOMEDAY................ALSO THERE IS A 75 STORY BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON THAT HAS AN OBSERVATION FLOOR TOO, GREAT VIEWS............AND THE EL CAPITAN IS PART OF THE HISTORY OF PASADENA............THE OLDER PART, RIGHT

The observation floor at Williams Tower closed after September 11th, 2001 and never reopened.

Edit: Beaten by Highway 6.

Edited by kylejack
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Highway6

Highway6

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I think so. You can pick them up cheap on eBay. I would get one, except that I remember what a nightmare long-form typing on that keyboard is. The 64 could do a lot of things, but the keyboard was not it's best asset.

I still have a working C64 with about 50 floppys worth of games at my folks place... that thing was awesome.

Forever Load "*",8,1

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Pumapayam

Pumapayam

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The observation deck in the Williams Tower has been closed to the public for years... you should probably get out more.

That and Carol has not logged in since Feb 13th 2009. She must have gotten lucky on Valentines day and has since forgotten about HAIF. . . :P

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Highway6

Highway6

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Posted

HEY CAROL.........THERE IS AN OBSERVATION FLOOR AT THE WILLIAMS TOWER............YOU SHOULD GO UP THERE SOMEDAY................ALSO THERE IS A 75 STORY BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON THAT HAS AN OBSERVATION FLOOR TOO, GREAT VIEWS............AND THE EL CAPITAN IS PART OF THE HISTORY OF PASADENA............THE OLDER PART, RIGHT

AND CAROL...............THEY HAVE TUNNELS UNDERNEATH DOWNTOWN HOUSTON JUST FULL OF STORES AND EATERIES............YOU CAN WALK THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF TOWN.............ITS REALLY NEAT UNDER THERE...............YOU SHOULD TRY THAT SOMETIME TOO

keyboard4.jpg

To quote Maddox: "That's the distance you'd have to move your pinky in order to not sound like an idiot."

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LTAWACS

LTAWACS

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Williams Tower used to claim to be the tallest building outside of a downtown area, but no idea if they still do.

They can claim all they want. The fact is it's not the tallest outside of a downtown area. I dont think it's in the top 5 anymore...

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