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Riverside Terrace History


PapillionWyngs

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In my younger days (1960's), my mom's boss lived on Laurel Drive. His best friends lived across the street - two houses, two different families, and they were both gorgeous homes. I would like to go there to see what everything looks like. I wonder how much it has changed. Anyone else remember the "This House Is Not For Sale" signs? In the 60's, the neighborhood was full of them.

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Riverside Terrace is a section of River Oaks........ :mellow:

Actually, the Riverside Terrace neighborhood was developed by wealthy Jews who weren't allowed to buy in River Oaks due to RO deed restrictions.

Some of the homes in Riverside Terrace may compare with River Oaks, but RT is not in RO...they're several miles from each other.

Edited by Original Timmy Chan's
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The (Houston ISD) schools that Riverside Terrace is zoned to include -

Four separate elementary schools:

* Lockhart Elementary School - http://es.houstonisd.org/LockhartES/

* Macarthur Elementary School - http://es.houstonisd.org/MacArthurES/

* Thompson Elementary School - http://es.houstonisd.org/ThompsonES/

* Turner Elementary School - http://es.houstonisd.org/TurnerES/

Two separate middle schools:

* Cullen Middle School - http://ms.houstonisd.org/cullenms/

* Ryan Middle School - http://ms.houstonisd.org/ryanms/

All residents are zoned to:

* Yates High School - http://hs.houstonisd.org/yateshs/

Profiles:

http://dept.houstonisd.org/profiles/Lockhart_ES.pdf

http://dept.houstonisd.org/profiles/Macarthur_ES.pdf

http://dept.houstonisd.org/profiles/Thompson_ES.pdf

http://dept.houstonisd.org/profiles/Turner_ES.pdf

http://dept.houstonisd.org/profiles/Cullen_MS.pdf

http://dept.houstonisd.org/profiles/Ryan_MS.pdf

http://dept.houstonisd.org/profiles/Yates_HS.pdf

I heard wealthier residents of Riverside Terrace get transfers to schools on Houston's west side...

Edited by VicMan
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I spent the first years of my life in the late 30's in the Riverside/Riverside Terrace area at 2655 Oakdale, just west of Ennis. I wonder what that house looks like now. Neighbors were Leon Jaworski, a young, up-and-coming attorney, and a very young Bill Archer, future congressman, both of whom some of you may know of. I attended kindergarten and first grade at Sutton Elementary, which was not too far from my house. I see there is now a Sutton in Sharpstown. I guess the original Sutton I attended was renamed.

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I spent the first years of my life in the late 30's in the Riverside/Riverside Terrace area at 2655 Oakdale, just west of Ennis. I wonder what that house looks like now. Neighbors were Leon Jaworski, a young, up-and-coming attorney, and a very young Bill Archer, future congressman, both of whom some of you may know of. I attended kindergarten and first grade at Sutton Elementary, which was not too far from my house. I see there is now a Sutton in Sharpstown. I guess the original Sutton I attended was renamed.

http://es.houstonisd.org/suttones/Sutton/History.htm - The school was "relocated" to Sharpstown.

Edited by VicMan
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  • 1 year later...

Hey, everyone! My name is Alan and I'm new to the forum! I'm not an architect, but I am a huge Houston history buff. It's nice to finally meet some folks who are insanely fasinated with our city's history. I especially love Houston's old movie theaters.

My wife and I recently took a drive through Riverside Terrace. We love the houses there and the history. Especially the uber contemporary 1940's split-level case study house on Del Rio and N. Parkwood, right off of MacGreggor. It was built in 1948 and its the ultimate 40's/50's contemporary. Whats especially interesting is going to the HCAD web page and entering the street address for houses that are interesting. HCAD lists when the house was built, number of room, square footage, etc.

Speaking of which, does anyone know where the Fingers house was, the Sakowitz's house, the Weingarten's or the Battlestein's were located? They may have been torn down to put 288 thru.

Alan

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Good to know there are others here with high interest in city history.

There are several topics about Riverside under Other Houston neighborhoods. Wish they could all be merged so that no one misses out on good info. There was one I started called The vicinity around TSU? Now is the time to enjoy this area because the ever present development is fastly encroaching on to this area and may alter the appearance forever.

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Good to know there are others here with high interest in city history.

There are several topics about Riverside under Other Houston neighborhoods. Wish they could all be merged so that no one misses out on good info. There was one I started called The vicinity around TSU? Now is the time to enjoy this area because the ever present development is fastly encroaching on to this area and may alter the appearance forever.

Welcome to HAIF!

There are many threads and mentions of the houses in Riverside Terrace (especially the contempo-modern ones) in the Houston Mod section of the board. Many of those houses are in danger of being torn down, though. There are also a few pictures of them (soon to be many more) on Houston Mod's website.

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Alan,

Welcome to the forum. My wife and I are finishing up a house right now in riverside terrace and we simply love the neighborhood. I truly think it is one of the hidden gems in Houston. Sure there is crime, but there is crime everywhere. If you are ever see yourself in the area again feel free to contact me and stop by. We would love to show you around our great neighborhood.

Matthew

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Hey, everyone! My name is Alan and I'm new to the forum! I'm not an architect, but I am a huge Houston history buff. It's nice to finally meet some folks who are insanely fasinated with our city's history. I especially love Houston's old movie theaters.

I meant to post this earlier but forgot to until now. If you haven't already seen it, check out David Welling's wonderful new book Cinema Houston - anyone who remembers any of Houston's movie theaters of the past will find it an indispensable reference.

Cinema Houston

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The Weingarten house was demolished by the family. One of the family members said on the movie, "This is My House it is not For Sale" said that she was happy to see it was torn down because she did not feel it would have been taken care of properly. She said that it would have been like watching a beautiful old lady deteriorate before your eyes.

I also know that Jack Ceasar's house was saved and moved somewhere else. Does anyone know where that house is?

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The Weingarten house is located at 4000 MacGregor Way South

The Sakowitz house was located at 3533 MacGregor Way North

From the 1966 Cole's Directory:

Bernard Sakowitz

Robert T. Sakowitz

3533 MacGregor Way North

(About this time, I believe the house was demolished and apartments built on the site. According to the movie, This Is Our Home, It Is Not For Sale, the senior Sakowitz couple moved to a high-rise apartment near Tanglewood.)

Bernard Weingarten

4000 MacGregor Way South

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 1 year later...
The Weingarten house still stands at 4000 S. MacGregor. I don't know if the Weingartens initally sold their house to a black family or not, but white people live there now.

Now that you mention it, I noticed that there was a white lady sitting outside, when I drove by, when I backed up to do a double-take on that Weingarten gem, and get an address. Just thought, she must be used to this, by now. Frankly, I don't care what color the people are, as long as they love & take care of those beauties. :) That front beveled glass is what caught my eye initially.

Oh, and I would like to see that film you all talk about, heard of it many yrs. ago.

Edited by NenaE
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Now that you mention it, I noticed that there was a white lady sitting outside, when I drove by, when I backed up to do a double-take on that Weingarten gem, and get an address. Just thought, she must be used to this, by now. Frankly, I don't care what color the people are, as long as they love & take care of those beauties. :) That front beveled glass is what caught my eye initially.

Oh, and I would like to see that film you all talk about, heard of it many yrs. ago.

That house could use a little care. I'm pretty sure they know what a historic gem the house is, I hope it gets restored to its former glory one day and not replaced by a gaudy MegaMcMansion.

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Riverside Terrace is a jewel. Easily the prettiest setting in town inside the loop. The neighborhood really does have multiple ravines and compared to most of Houston, it's "hilly."

That said, on my last trip thru there, I've noticed that there have been some TERRIBLE McMansion builds. Some of the nastiest houses I have ever seen. I am glad that the hood is healthy enough for people to invest in, but it's a real shame to see historical gems being ruined by typical builder crap. Oh well, if it can happen in River Oaks it can happen anywhere...

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Riverside Terrace is a jewel. Easily the prettiest setting in town inside the loop. The neighborhood really does have multiple ravines and compared to most of Houston, it's "hilly."

That said, on my last trip thru there, I've noticed that there have been some TERRIBLE McMansion builds. Some of the nastiest houses I have ever seen. I am glad that the hood is healthy enough for people to invest in, but it's a real shame to see historical gems being ruined by typical builder crap. Oh well, if it can happen in River Oaks it can happen anywhere...

On my recent drive thru Riverside, I even saw a few large, long pieces of metal roofing bent around several trees, on a house lot that backs to one of those ravines. An eerie reminder of the strength of mother nature. I see trees everyday that were affected by that hurricane. Were many of Riverside's trees lost?

Houston is amazing, I am a native Houstonian, and see something new (old bldgs I've never seen before or terrain differences I didn't know were there) every time I explore to take pictures. This town is absolutely huge. I hope we don't lose too much history in the name of new development. I especially hate to see those very old downtown "ward" houses disappear.

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Now that you mention it, I noticed that there was a white lady sitting outside, when I drove by, when I backed up to do a double-take on that Weingarten gem, and get an address. Just thought, she must be used to this, by now. Frankly, I don't care what color the people are, as long as they love & take care of those beauties. :) That front beveled glass is what caught my eye initially.

Oh, and I would like to see that film you all talk about, heard of it many yrs. ago.

I managed to snag a copy from the director, Jon Schwartz, no less, when I went to its most recent screening last April (I believe) at the Museum of Fine Arts. I wasn't able to stay for the 2+ hour film but I did buy a copy from the director who was there to present his documentary. Last time I checked, you could buy a DVD from the MFA gift shop. It's worth a check.

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  • 4 weeks later...

I admit, my only knowledge of Riverside Terrace used to be on the rare occasion when i would exit UH to the south and wonder what those mansions were on the other side of the bayou.

If this neighborhood is so golden, why is there what looks to be a decent sized cleared corner lot across the street from some mansions going for under 55k.. History of this neighborhood aside.. that seems like quite a steal.

Edited by Highway6
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Speaking of lots:

Beautifully Landscaped lot perfect for redevelopment. The lot to the west was replatted and construction of fourteen townhomes has begun. The lot is fully fenced with many mature trees and functioning pool. The home is occuped and dogs are present. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO WALK THE PROPERTY.

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cf...mp;backButton=Y

I think this house was discussed as being haunted in another thread.

2rc3hjp.jpg

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I've been looking at that house, too, on HAR..."perfect for redevelopment"...uuuhhhhhh....what? I hate that term. They wouldn't tear that down, would they? Please say it isn't so...the house needs to stay, & some more big dogs to protect it. Townhomes, boo. :angry: I like to see Townhomes & Brownstones in certain locations...but Not there! I really hope Riverside doesn't get torn up with this kind of redevelopment, just because of it's location.

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well.. the lot i was referring to has already razed whatever it held to the ground.

There are 3 lots, 53k, 60k, and 70k in that neighborhood.... which compared to other prices I've been seeing, seem more comparable to questionable neighborhoods, or properties right next to RR tracks...

Like i said.. i know nothing about this area. To me its a transition zone of which I know nada... but it seems pleasant enough from a clueless google maps perspective.

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The problem is that this neighborhood is not a "transitional" neighborhood. It just is what it is. It would seem like it ought to be transitional... still priced low, close to everything. But many people living here really don't want it to change. Plus there are a lot of really trashy apartment complexes, and an awful lot of police activity.

Maybe it will turn out to be a model of healthy development... some plots, here and there, developed into denser townhomes, mixed with large single family houses, and apartments. There are certainly enough buses to make it a no-car urban neighborhood. But it is in serious need of decent retail, and I just don't see that happening with the perception (and reality? I don't know) of crime here.

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The problem is that this neighborhood is not a "transitional" neighborhood.

I wasn't clear, sorry.

I meant this neighborhood is roughly a mile or 2 from MedCenter/Rice homes and the same distance from Upper 3rd Ward homes.... polar opposites.. it's a middle (transitional) area of which honestly, I've never had reason to be curious about.

Course.. this is houston, so there are transitional areas everywhere.

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I wasn't clear, sorry.

I meant this neighborhood is roughly a mile or 2 from MedCenter/Rice homes and the same distance from Upper 3rd Ward homes.... polar opposites.. it's a middle (transitional) area of which honestly, I've never had reason to be curious about.

Course.. this is houston, so there are transitional areas everywhere.

Oh yes, sorry I misread you. But nevertheless, people do think of this as a transitional neighborhood, in the sense that I was talking about. And I'm not sure it is.

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link to Riverside ghost house talk, starts at post #14...

It is the one at 2615. I sure would like to know who the original owner was, and what year the house was built. Probably 1920's.

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...showtopic=11222

House at 2615 Riverside, Yr. Blt. 1935 (HCAD, if they are correct), Good Quality, Fair Condition.

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That section of Riverside is under going a major make over with new townhomes ,condo's and a multi-million dollar project being built on the corner of N Macgregor and 288. Very little thought is given to save any of those beautiful homes in that area

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http://texashistory.unt.edu/permalink/meta-pth-5865:83

Anyone recognize this one?

Spanish style...who's was it, originally?

address?

Is it still there?

I think that one is gone, probably demolished for 288. Judging by the fact that the loggia is on the right side of the house, I'd venture to say the house was on the north side of the street (loggias & screen porches were almost always on the southeast side of a house to catch the breeze). Perhaps historicaerials.com could give us clues to a more definite location?

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I think that one is gone, probably demolished for 288. Judging by the fact that the loggia is on the right side of the house, I'd venture to say the house was on the north side of the street (loggias & screen porches were almost always on the southeast side of a house to catch the breeze). Perhaps historicaerials.com could give us clues to a more definite location?

I couldn't locate it on G.Earth or HistAeriels...perhaps you are right...will have to drive by...Too bad, it was a nice looking one. I did find an interesting (but not as ornate) very large house on the corner of MacGregor Way & Riverside Dr. (address may be 2506 Riverside Dr.), driveway is on MacGregor Way. Trees grown up around it, looks spooky. See google/earth.

And a new listing...wonder what it looked like, originally.

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cf...mp;backButton=Y

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Yeah, this is all the information I could find on the Parten house...those block numbers don't seem to exist anymore or refer to something else completely:

File No: C491317

Grantor:PARTEN LEO W ETAL

Grantee:CAMPBELL JOYCE E

Date:19670501

Type:REL

Desc:RIVERSIDE TER 11L0024B0058PT/LT

Vol-Page:6746038

File No:

C177069

Grantor:PARTEN LEO W ETAL

Grantee:AMERICAN GEN INVMT CORP

FC: 039350298

Date:19651011

Type:ASSGN

Desc:RIVERSIDE TER 12 P L7 B61 &

Vol-Page:6101615

File No: C177069

Grantor:PARTEN LEO W ETAL

Grantee:JACKSON RICHARD A ETAL

FC: 039350298

Date:19651011 Type:W/D

Desc:RIVERSIDE TER 12 P L7 B61 &

Vol-Page:6101615

File No: V954983

Grantor:PARTEN JOHN R ETAL

Grantee:CRISWELL & ASSOCT INC

FC: 554301807

Date:20020723

Type:W/D

Desc:RIVERSIDE TER Section:10 Lot: Block:B0054 Misc:INSTR

Unfortunately, the Harris County Block Books are not accessible..

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Which one is the Parten house? Oh, nevermind, that's the modern one, below the Spanish one, in the pic. That's a very early mod home.

The spooky one at 2506 Riverside Dr. was blt. in 1955, according to HCAD. Lt. 1, Blk 32, Section 5, Riverside Terrace.

There are some on the block from the 1930's.

We need to be able to see the block books. :angry:

Edited by NenaE
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...

The spooky one at 2506 Riverside Dr. was blt. in 1955, according to HCAD. Lt. 1, Blk 32, Section 5, Riverside Terrace.

There are some on the block from the 1930's.

We need to be able to see the block books. :angry:

2506 Riverside Dr. was designed by Bailey A. Swenson in the year 1936 (AIA Arch. Guide). Where on earth is HAR getting it's information? "White-stucco surfaced, flat-roofed modern", mentions it was the first Ben Proler house. Wow, 1936, that was early for modern, wonder what the neighbors thought.

BTW, the block books are back.

http://books.tax.hctx.net/v061/AE1997_61-1_0071.jpg

Edited by NenaE
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I have another one, 3222 Oakmont. In Southland Terrace. French chateau style (what's the proper term?)...reminds me of the big Weingarten house, smaller scale, of course. Has a porte-cochere. This one's just sitting there, rotting. HCAD says it was built in 1949, renovated 2002. Huh? What a waste. It's open to the elements. A fallen yard sign said something about the "sale of the lot".

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So many people have bought that house and tried to restore it, only to flee from it. I think it has some very expensive issues that cost more to repair than the house is worth.

I don't think it's in Southland Terrace. Southland Terrace begins past Shenandoah.

I have another one, 3222 Oakmont. In Southland Terrace. French chateau style (what's the proper term?)...reminds me of the big Weingarten house, smaller scale, of course. Has a porte-cochere. This one's just sitting there, rotting. HCAD says it was built in 1949, renovated 2002. Huh? What a waste. It's open to the elements. A fallen yard sign said something about the "sale of the lot".
Edited by JLWM8609
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After reading so many posts about Riverside Terrace, I decided to take a drive and see it for myself. I drove down S. MacGregor, and honestly, it was kinda sad to see. Don't get me wrong - there were many well kept beautiful homes, but there were also other huge homes that were abandoned and unkept. I even saw homes with boarded up windows and overgrown grass, and these homes were huge, beautiful structures that are now wasting away - so sad. I enjoyed the beauty of the majority of the homes, but the ones that were abandoned really struck me.

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So many people have bought that house and tried to restore it, only to flee from it. I think it has some very expensive issues that cost more to repair than the house is worth.

I don't think it's in Southland Terrace. Southland Terrace begins past Shenandoah.

Yeah, sources are not always right...there are so many little sections within Riverside, many names. The Southland Terrace name came from the block books. Said something about resubdivided. I would like to see or make a map of the whole area, by each little subdivision. It's complicated.

Saw many home owners for that lot, and the list only went back to 1984. Sad...I would like to know who designed it. And how long ago were the train tracks taken up? The large apt. complex close to the rr tracks (on the north side) looks like it needs to go.

JLWM, You really know your neighborhood. I'm impressed. What a place to live, among these giants.

I'm surprised the Weingarten house doesn't have a nice iron fence around it.

Crescent Island was interesting, only slabs left now. Hermann St., as well. Looks like Hwy 288 or flooding took care of that. The creek on the map was interesting to see (It was by N. MacGregor Way & Riverside Dr.).

Cosmic08, now you see why I'm so fascinated with Riverside, I see so much architectural talent there. And the sloping land makes it even more interesting. In the 1960's-70's, my grandmother would take us down those main bayou drives in route to the zoo, and we would admire those homes.

Edited by NenaE
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  • The title was changed to Researching Historic Riverside Terrace- Your Ideas?
  • The title was changed to Riverside Terrace History

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