Houston In The 1940s

[57Tbird]

These are a couple of remarkable pictures that I think you would be interested in viewing. These were shot in 1958 by the father of an old high school classmate of mine. He gave me permission to share them with you. From these photos, he made hand-drawn maps that pin-pointed the location of various buildings and other landmarks of that era.

Edited August 3, 2007 by 57Tbird

[The Great Hizzy!]

Very revealing photos, very sharp.

There was also a ton of downtown parking in 1958 as well. In fact, it appears to be more in volume than today. Of course, that may be because most structures appear to come with their own lot, making the amount of parking space wider spread.

The single-unit homes near the Med Center look a lot denser than perhaps today, although it appears that the density of trees wasn't as high so perhaps these neighborhoods are probably as dense but appear to be less so because the trees are thicker and more mature.

Thanks for sharing.

[Heights2Bastrop]

Great photos! Feel free to post more if you like.

The first photo must have been taken just before construction on the Humble Building began.

[Subdude]

Great pictures! Thanks!

A few more from the same period:

Med Center 1964

[LTAWACS]

nice

[57Tbird]

Great pictures!  Thanks! 

A few more from the same period:

Med Center 1964

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In your third picture...is that the old Conoco Building, on the right, with the weatherball on top? I had forgotten about that one.

I see the Astrodome in the background of hte Med Center-1964 shot. It must have still been under construction then. I had the pleasure of attending the first game played there in April, 1965. Saw the Astros play the Yankees in an exhibition game. What a magnificent structure it was for its time. I was awestruck when I entered it for the first time. Who would have thought "The Eighth Wonder of the World" would be "obsolete" 40 years later?

[RedScare]

Anyone notice the difference in the two downtown photos?

1958 - No Pierce or 59 elevated

1964 - Downtown ringed by elevated freeways

1958 definitely looked better.

[Heights2Bastrop]

If you look at the far right building, the thing on top is the Weather Ball that indicated the weather forecast by using different color lights. This was discussed here recently.

[citykid09]

Downtown looked then, as the medical center looks now. Just imagine given enough time what the medical center will look like in 2045.

[Subdude]

What is weird about the Med Center shot is how immediately south, it just turns to empty prairie. You can see Colt Stadium by the Dome.

[Casual Observer]

Downtown looked then, as the medical center looks now. Just imagine given enough time what the medical center will look like in 2045.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Imagine if there were zoning how dense our highrise districts could be today.

"..Imagine all those buildings, living in harmony.."

[RedScare]

There's too many cool pics on this historic freeway website to choose.

http://www.texasfreeway.com/Houston/histor...ic_photos.shtml

[sevfiv]

hey all,

i was wondering if any of you knew anything about the series of duplexes (all identical) that are located in the santa rosa neighborhood between telephone rd. and reveille. they are on the north side of moline street, and there are a total of about eight or ten red brick homes. i was also told they might have been housing for ellington field folks...

thanks!

[sevfiv]

a google-ization:

the building in the top left corner is the old santa rosa theater. the duplexes are in the messy red brackets

[gnu]

i was wondering if any of you knew anything about the series of duplexes (all identical) that are located in the santa rosa neighborhood between telephone rd. and reveille. they are on the north side of moline street, and there are a total of about eight or ten red brick homes. i was also told they might have been housing for ellington field folks...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I dunno...could have been.

Sam Houston Gardens (in/by Meadowbrook) was built in '40 by the US Gov't to house the military.

It might have been just the developer anticipating the need for affordable housing when the GI's starting returning from the war.

I think Santa Rosa was developed in 1945. Maybe they had a government incentive program for builders?

Or maybe he just wanted some multifamily housing in the subdivision?

Okay so I probably didn't help much.

Are there any little old ladies in the neighborhood that you can grill?

So did you move into one of those duplexes?

[musicman]

I dunno...could have been.

Sam Houston Gardens (in/by Meadowcreek) was built in '40 by the US Gov't to house the military.

It might have been just the developer anticipating the need for affordable housing when the GI's starting returning from the war.

I think Santa Rosa was developed in 1945.  Maybe they had a government incentive program for builders?

Or maybe he just wanted some multifamily housing in the subdivision?

Okay so I probably didn't help much.

Are there any little old ladies in the neighborhood that you can grill? 

So did you move into one of those duplexes?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

back in the 40's is when multifamily housing started to pop up in houston. There are similar blocks in several neighborhoods where multifamily dwellings were permitted. Patricia Manor, an early apartment complex from the 40's, is still in full operation in Pecan Park.

[Ashikaga]

If you look at the far right building, the thing on top is the Weather Ball that indicated the weather forecast by using different color lights. This was discussed here recently.

This photo looks like the area where I remember seeing a Levitz furniture store. Is Levitz still in Houston?

[DMac]

G'Day 2 the H2 {Historic Houston} Forum.

I have located a photo of the Civic Cntr. and surrounding landscape {prior to itz current clutter} that I'dd like 2 share w/y'all.

http://texashistory.unt.edu/permalink/meta-pth-5865:200

If ya will take a peek @ the 2nd photo {scroll down} it should appear. I do hope that it iz not to dark as I have several Q's to ask, but wanted everone to 1st give it a look see.

The source of the photo is a book title "Houston A History & Guide" written by the writer's project of the WPA in '42. The book w/itz complete text/photos iz available online @ the link as noted above.

Will return in a few hours after composing my Q's. Hope U all enjoy the historic photo{s}.

[DMac]

Sum follow up Q's.

1. Reading from left/right I believe the E/W str's in the photo are McKinney, Walker, Rusk curving right to x the Bayou.

2. From top/bottom I believe the N/S str's are Bagby, Smith & Louisana.

3. @ the top left in the distance is that the old Jeff Davis Hosp @ 1801 Buffalo Dr.?

4. Just to the left of CH along Bagby {approx. 1000 Blk.} is a small Bldg that appears to have a dark hole in its entrance. Would this be the old Fire Alarm office?

5. To the S/E of CH appears to be {1926} wing of Julia Ideson Bldg {w/Tx history collections} of HPL, correct?

6. To the right of Music hall appears to be a 4 bay Bldg. Would this have been old Fire Sta #1 where DTA now sits?

7. To the right of the FS & across Rusk is a high rise Bldg. Can anyone ID it?

And finally would y'all be able to ID {w/names & address'} any/all of the remaining Bldg's that are clearly visible in this photo?

[RedScare]

1. Correct

2. Correct

3. Yes

4. Don't know

5. Correct

6. Don't know.

7. Vitually everything in this photo is now gone, except City Hall and the library. Houston Coliseum was razed, and the Hobby Center has replaced it. The open area to the north of City Hall and the reflecting pool is now Tranquility Park, with underground parking. North of that area is the US Courthouse. The lowrise buildings in the bottom center is now an old highrise that the City bought and uses for office space. Of course, one block north of that is B of A Tower. One block south is Shell. The houses behind City Hall is now City Hall Annex.

[musicman]

DMac..took quite a while to figure out your acronyms....English might help next time

Sum follow up Q's.

1. Reading from left/right I believe the E/W str's in the photo are McKinney, Walker, Rusk curving right to x the Bayou.

2. From top/bottom I believe the N/S str's are Bagby, Smith & Louisana.

3. @ the top left in the distance is that the old Jeff Davis Hosp @ 1801 Buffalo Dr.?

Your first three observations are correct. i'm not sure year when named changed to Allen parkway. Hospital was built in '36 and I know in the 20's it was still Buffalo Drive

4. Just to the left of CH along Bagby {approx. 1000 Blk.} is a small Bldg that appears to have a dark hole in its entrance. Would this be the old Fire Alarm office?

5. To the S/E of CH appears to be {1926} wing of Julia Ideson Bldg {w/Tx history collections} of HPL, correct?

6. To the right of Music hall appears to be a 4 bay Bldg. Would this have been old Fire Sta #1 where DTA now sits?

7. To the right of the FS & across Rusk is a high rise Bldg. Can anyone ID it?

And finally would y'all be able to ID {w/names & address'} any/all of the remaining Bldg's that are clearly visible in this photo?

For #4, i just spoke with my dad who's a 40 yr plus fire department veteran and he said you are correct on the old fire alarm office. He even had the hundred block by memory.

you're right on #5

on #6 he that was the old #2 station fire station. He added that it sat at an angle compared to the other buidlings. He didn't look at pic but pic confirms his knowledge.

As for remaining buildings, this is Houston so they are not standing from what i can tell. Pic is blurred as well. I have some black and white Bob Bailey photos boxed somewhere of city hall during this era. i will have to hunt for them. Below is a link to some archived Bob Bailey photos.

Bob Bailey Photos

[Subdude]

Sum follow up Q's.

1. Reading from left/right I believe the E/W str's in the photo are McKinney, Walker, Rusk curving right to x the Bayou.

2. From top/bottom I believe the N/S str's are Bagby, Smith & Louisana.

3. @ the top left in the distance is that the old Jeff Davis Hosp @ 1801 Buffalo Dr.?

4. Just to the left of CH along Bagby {approx. 1000 Blk.} is a small Bldg that appears to have a dark hole in its entrance. Would this be the old Fire Alarm office?

5. To the S/E of CH appears to be {1926} wing of Julia Ideson Bldg {w/Tx history collections} of HPL, correct?

6. To the right of Music hall appears to be a 4 bay Bldg. Would this have been old Fire Sta #1 where DTA now sits?

7. To the right of the FS & across Rusk is a high rise Bldg. Can anyone ID it?

And finally would ya'll be able to ID {w/names & address'} any/all of the remaining Bldg's that are clearly visible in this photo?

4. That is the Fire Alarm Building. Here's a better picture.

7. That is the old Harris County Jail and Criminal Courts Building. It was the second one at that same location. It is now the rear section of Bayou Place. The tree is still there.

To identify the other buildings, this might help. It is part of a map of downtown from 1940 that shows every building and store at the time.

[RedScare]

Way to go, Subdude!

[57Tbird]

Great little map, Subdude! Do you have the rest of it?

[KinkaidAlum]

Wow. Look at all the residential home lots and apartments. I guess these are the ones that the Pierce Elevated destroyed and many consider part of the old 4th Ward?

I had heard there was a hospital near there too but never knew the exact location or name (Memorial)...Quite a few car lots and filling stations too.

Great Find. Thanks!

[Subdude]

Wow. Look at all the residential home lots and apartments. I guess these are the ones that the Pierce Elevated destroyed and many consider part of the old 4th Ward?

The Pierce Elevated would be outside of the area of the map. A lot of the residences were destroyed for expansion of Sam Houston park, Allen Center, and other development. Interesting that Smith dead-ends at Polk.

[dbigtex56]

7. ...The lowrise buildings in the bottom center is now an old highrise that the City bought and uses for office space.

This building was formerly known as the Electric Tower. It was constructed by HL&P and opened in 1968. As an aside, did you know that the sunken areas between the building and sidewalks were paved to resemble the gravel in a Japanese garden?

[RedScare]

This building was formerly known as the Electric Tower. It was constructed by HL&P and opened in 1968. As an aside, did you know that the sunken areas between the building and sidewalks were paved to resemble the gravel in a Japanese garden?

"I did not know that."

[TJones]

Heh, I saw the old Woltman Furniture , I want to say they still have a place on Westheimer, in the middle of Montrose, I took a nice sleeper chair and a half over there to be re-upholstered not too long ago.

Just remembered that it was Waldman & Co. NOT Woltman. Oh well !

Edited April 24, 2006 by TJones

[nmainguy]

6. To the right of Music hall appears to be a 4 bay Bldg. Would this have been old Fire Sta #1 where DTA now sits?

Re: #6, old FS #1 was torn down for the expansion of the Music Hall.

The most recent #1 is where DTA now sits.

[Danny,

I am still trying to locate info on Industrial Home. My cousin has a vaque memory of his dad talking about it when he was at DePelchin. I'll let you know if I find anything on it.]

[nm5k]

The book w/itz complete text/photos iz available online @ the link as noted above.

Pretty good book as far as older Houston history...I read about 90 pages last night.

Will read the rest eventually...

MK

[editor]

[lunchbox]

Freaking awesome! Where did you get this?

[Firebird65]

Wow! Thanks for posting this.

I wonder what was on fire in the far right background of the photo? If you look closely, you can see a plume of smoke.

[brijonmang]

Amazing how many of those buildings are still around. Great find Editor.

[Mark F. Barnes]

Down in the Bottom left hand corner it looks to me that it says

"Corp

6/18/49

Cecil Thomas"

Hard to tell. Might pull up a fire database somewhere for that day.

[editor]

Freaking awesome! Where did you get this?

Library of Congress. These are your tax dollars at work.

[editor]

1943. Downtown. The mock battleship on the street is a recruiting station.

May, 1943. Is that Metro's old headquarters on the right side?

[sevfiv]

kress/st. germain lofts in the background

----------

edit - right side of first picture

Edited August 15, 2006 by sevfiv

[MexAmerican_Moose]

wow....no parking lots!!!!!!!

Edited August 15, 2006 by MexAmerican_Moose

[57Tbird]

May, 1943. Is that Metro's old headquarters on the right side?

Building on the far right was the Gulf Building at that time.

[enviromain]

Building on the far right was the Gulf Building at that time.

Looks like Woolsworth.

[57Tbird]

Looks like Woolsworth.

In the picture that editor made reference to about Metro's old headquarters, the Gulf Building is on the right, and that is Kress's on the left.... the one that has "store" on it.

Woolworth is on the left side in his first (upper) picture.

[WestUNative]

This panorama is fabulous! I was 6 years old at the time and this is definitely my childhood Houston. My uncle was an accountant at Gulf and his daughter and I used to be so proud to visit the tallest building in town.

Whoever you are, Editor, kudos to you for sharing these incredible images.

[nm5k]

Yep, those are all at the library of congress. I've had all those

for quite a while. I've got many other cities too. Like Dallas,

Austin, OK city, and a bunch of small Kansas, OK, etc, etc towns.

Check the one for Chickasaw OK... It's pretty cool to look at.

heck, most all are pretty good. Austin has a good view of the

capital in the background. There is a good one of Waco..

Check the one for Rome... Pretty cool..

I've d/led 100's and 100's of pictures off of library of congress

over the past few years. Most all the Brady Civil war pix, most of the

early pix, etc. Even the very first picture taken in 1839..

It was a self portrait.. I know of some other good sites for pix

too.. Some are state historical societies, universities, etc..

There are some good sites around for "old west" pictures.

Many are amazing quality photo's for the times they were

taken. Ditto for many of Bradys old civil wart pix. Most are

sharp as a tack.. I collect old pictures on my drives. I checked

just one folder, and it has nearly 2000 pix in it. I find them

fascinating... They are about the closest thing to a "window"

to the past there is. It's weird looking at a picture where

everyone in it has been dead for decades, or even over a

century in many cases. Many of the pix I have are about

150+ years old. I've got an old camera lense that was made

in about the 1850's as far as I can tell. It's a old big brass

Voightlander lense. It used plates that slid in the side. I'm

missing the big wood part that went to it. I only have the

brass lense part. I've tried dating it, and the design matches

ones made in the 1850's. It's pretty wild to look at and

imagine the people that made it years and years ago..

I think it was mainly a portrait lense. I then wonder about

all the people that had their pix taken with it, and where

the pictures are.. Would be cool to find one taken with that

lense, but it would be very hard to ID without direct knowledge

of it's use, or by noting a lense flaw. But I'd have to take

pictures myself to see if any visible flaws actually existed.. :/

I doubt I'll be finding 19th century photo plates at wally world..

LOL..

MK

[sevfiv]

Are there any little old ladies in the neighborhood that you can grill?

So did you move into one of those duplexes?

moved in...and out, pretty quickly

unfortunately, there was no one that knew/cared about the homes' histories, much less their futures...

alas

[gnu]

moved in...and out, pretty quickly

unfortunately, there was no one that knew/cared about the homes' histories, much less their futures...

alas

did you see that shot from the roof of the santa rosa theater in the bailey archives???

no duplexes built yet.

the 'hood looked a lot different back then.

[sevfiv]

okay, i am having a hard time directionally orienting myself - which way is it facing?

[gnu]

okay, i am having a hard time directionally orienting myself - which way is it facing?

you are looking almost due east.

edna st. runs straight from the horizon and into the parking lot

moline curving from right to center

the y in the center would be juniper branching off from moline

all the lots on the north side of moline are vacant...awaiting the duplexes in the future.

[sevfiv]

you are looking almost due east.

edna st. runs straight from the horizon and into the parking lot

moline curving from right to center

the y in the center would be juniper branching off from moline

all the lots on the north side of moline are vacant...awaiting the duplexes in the future.

okay, i get it now - the striped thing in the picture is the walkway:

wow - it (the neighborhood) looked so empty...and more clean

Edited November 2, 2006 by sevfiv