Arrowhead Park Speedway At 1401 Old Spanish Trl.

[Subdude]

I couldn't find any information about it.

Here is the picture and caption from that monorail site:

Quote

1956- Skyway Monorail

Monorail, Incorporated built a short test track of their suspended system at Arrowhead Park in Houston, Texas. Each bogie was powered by a 310-horsepower Packard automobile engine. The driver was seated high above the passenger carriage on one of the two bogies. After eight months of testing, the track was dismantled and rebuilt at the Texas State fairgrounds where it ran for many years. Its promoters claimed it could reach speeds of 160 km but no Skyway transit installations were ever built.

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.

[musicman]

Subdude said:

.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The picture that i remember had it encircling the parking lot taking passengers to the terminal. I believe this was dismantled and setup out along south main.

[Heights2Bastrop]

This is the monorail that was at South Main at the intersection with Holmes. I assume that was Arrowhead Park. We passed the location many times on the way to and from Seargent, but I never saw it up close. It was a good half to one mile off Main.

But then, I guess I did after all! I rode the one at the State Fair in 1957. I never knew the two were one and the same.

[Montrose1100]

I guess that could be considered a monorail.  I have not had very good experiences on that thing.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Its the only excuse we've got 4 1;)

[tomv]

I don't think that thing can be called a monorail. The monorail society(see their website) has a strict definition of what can be called a monorail. That's probably just light rail at the airport.

[marmer]

Re: monorails.

I was at Antonio's Flying Pizza last night (Hillcroft just south of Westheimer) and I saw a Bob Bailey-ish picture of a DIFFERENT monorail on the wall there with other old Houston pictures. I did a quick Google search and the only pic I can find is the 1956 Arrowhead park one posted previously. The picture I saw was of a much more angular car than that one suspended below the rail, without a driver's compartment above.

Anyone have any more info?

Marty

[57Tbird]

In doing a search for Playland Park and the races they used to have featuring AJ Foyt and Billy Wade led me to a blurb about there being a racetrack at Arrowhead Park. I am pretty sure I know where it was because I remember seeing the monorail off South Main past where it makes the bend at the conjunction with Holmes. However, all my searches for Arrowhead came back with the stadium in KC.

Now, there used to be stock car races in the late 60

[Heights2Bastrop]

I rode the Trailblazer in 1957, but didn't realize it until this was discussed in another topic last year.

I recall seeing this monorail as a kid heading out South Main. I thought it was at where Main made a turn where Holmes intersects. But it appears Arrowhead was located near Holcomb.

What I didn

[57Tbird]

I recall seeing this monorail as a kid heading out South Main. I thought it was at where Main made a turn where Holmes intersects. But it appears Arrowhead was located near Holcomb.

There has been some previous discussion elsewhere in this forum about the location of Arrowhead Park. I had previously mentioned that I had gone there, in the early 50's, to some stock car and and midget auto races. I knew it was on OST, but I thought it was closer to Fannin than it actually was, as shown in this photo. I recently found this picture in the Bob Bailey photo collection. The picture was titled Main and Holcombe, but you can clearly see what remained of the Arrowheard Park race track in the upper, left portion of the photo. It was originally built for horse-racing (not sure exactly when), but became a venue for car-racing in the early 50's. I worked briefly for Halliburton Oil Well Cementing Co. in the 50's, and I remember seeing this monorail while it was on display near the HOWCO field camp, which is shown here just east of Arrowhead on OST. For reference, that's the Shamrock Hotel at the right, middle of the picture.

[Heights2Bastrop]

T-Bird, what is the date of that photo? The triangle front center is where Texas Children

[57Tbird]

T-Bird, what is the date of that photo? The triangle front center is where Texas Children

[Subdude]

Tbird thanks for posting that photo. I had looked for Arrowhead Park on old maps before but couldn't find it.

Valians across from the Shamrock looks like it had a giant parking lot. Is the Pier 21 restaurant visible in that picture?

[Heights2Bastrop]

At the top of the photo is where OST runs into S Main. The road that goes off to the left from Holcombe is Fannin. About halfway between Holcombe and the left edge of the photo is Pier 21.

I was thinking about the restaurant just the other day. The

[Subdude]

On Cinema Treasures it says that the Delman was built by a D. Adelman, so it doesn't seem to be common ownership. Another question: the large building on the left, immediately south of Braes Bayou, was that a sanitarium? I read somewhere there was one around there.

[57Tbird]

I was thinking about the restaurant just the other day. The

[57Tbird]

Valians across from the Shamrock looks like it had a giant parking lot.

That large parking lot was actually for Shamrock visitors. There was a light with a marked walkway across Main to the Shamrock. They had a parking garage, but must have had that outside lot for use when the garage was full, or for people who just didn't want to use the garage. It was probably also used by Valian's customers.

[Heights2Bastrop]

You are right, T-Bird, it was Dentler.

Wasn't there a sanatorium on Shepherd just south of Allen Parkway? There may have been another on the east side of I-45 just north of I-10, and the building may still be there.

[57Tbird]

At the top of the photo is where OST runs into S Main. The road that goes off to the left from Holcombe is Fannin. About halfway between Holcombe and the left edge of the photo is Pier 21.

You're right! I remember it being there. That is the same building that Subdude asked if it might be a sanitarium. I have a 1954 ad for Pier 21 that lists its address as 7001 Old Main Street Rd., which is what it was before it became Fannin. See a section below that I cropped of a 1935 map showing Old Main Street Road. That's what it was before they extended the Fannin name.

Another question: the large building on the left, immediately south of Braes Bayou, was that a sanitarium? I read somewhere there was one around there.

Subdude, The only thing of that nature, I can remember in that area, was what I would call a nursing home/assisted living facility by the name of Holly Hall. It was further south on Knight Rd, between OST and Holmes Rd.

Wasn't there a sanatorium on Shepherd just south of Allen Parkway? There may have been another on the east side of I-45 just north of I-10, and the building may still be there.

I remember a Tuberculosis Sanatorium/Clinic/Hospital on the Southeast corner of Shepherd and Buffalo Drive (now Allen Pkwy).

[Heights2Bastrop]

T-Bird, I have that map in my files as well as others. Did you notice that OST was then under construction?

If you want some neat maps, check out, the Perry-Casta

[Earlydays]

I remember the monorail well, it was very close to where OST intersects with S. Main....

[isuredid]

I don't know if it is still there, but the Whole Foods in Bellaire had a photo of the monorail that was in the Astrodome area up on their wall at one time. I don't know the source of the photo. Maybe the Texas Room would know.

[57Tbird]

sevfiv said:

the trailblazer (tested at arrowhead park):

http://houston.arch-ive.org/mr002.jpg

http://houston.arch-ive.org/mr003.jpg

Here's another view and description of the monorail at Arrowhead Park

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y256/57Tbird/HoustonMonorail-1956.jpg

1956- Skyway Monorail

Monorail, Incorporated, built a short test track of their suspended system at Arrowhead Park in Houston, Texas. Each bogie was powered by a 310-horsepower Packard automobile engine. The driver was seated high above the passenger carriage on one of the two bogies. After eight months of testing, the track was dismantled and rebuilt at the Texas State fairgrounds where it ran for many years. Its promoters claimed it could reach speeds of 160 km/hr, but no Skyway transit installations were ever built.

[tbitzel]

Well, I'm 47. I remember going to Peppermint Park by Gulfgate Shopping City (now Mall) when I lived in Houston from 1962-64. Are you saying that it went out of business fairly recently?

Yep! I'm 52 and have very fond memories of Peppermint Park, right next to Gulfgate Mall! The good 'ole days! What fun!!!

There was a monorail at Hobby? When was that? What did it connect? I couldn't find any information about it.

Here is the picture and caption from that monorail site:

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.

I remember this monorail, and riding it, but I cannot remember where it was. I did live very close to Hobby Airport, but it seems to me that it was at an amusement park somewhere in Houston. I am not aware of Arrowhead Park though. Could it have been at the old Six Flags? Now I'm really curious!!

[Heights2Bastrop]

I don

[Stephen]

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.

All I can find about Arrowhead's location is a post on another forum, (click here), that refers to it as Arrowhead Speedway. Evidently it was a racetrack for both horses and cars. It would ostensibly be located, by the description given, somewhere between Reliant Park and Brays Bayou.

[Subdude]

All I can find about Arrowhead's location is a post on another forum, (click here), that refers to it as Arrowhead Speedway. Evidently it was a racetrack for both horses and cars. It would ostensibly be located, by the description given, somewhere between Reliant Park and Brays Bayou.

It was answered in a different topic. 57Tbird posted this photo that shows Arrowhead off of OST.

[Stephen]

It was answered in a different topic. 57Tbird posted this photo that shows Arrowhead off of OST.

So much for the racetrack. However, one might take perverse pleasure in that the area seems still to be devoted to the automobile:

A Google Maps satellite image of it

[ChrisABC13]

Can someone help me on this? Not everything is on google. Trying to get info on the Goodell monorail system that may have been in Houston. I have found info on the Trailblazer by Monorail Inc. Are they the same? I work for Channel 13. I have found a clip from 10-9-64. There is a shot of an old piece of equipment with "Goodell Monorail" stamped on it. There is also a shot of what appears to be an old monorail and monorail car. The story was about a car race near Fondren and Main, but there are these shots of monorail parts that has stumped me. 

[gmac]

https://blog.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2009/01/a-trailblazers-resting-spot/

 

https://blog.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2008/10/when-monorail-came-to-houston/

[ChrisABC13]

I saw those articles on the trailblazer monorail. Did a search of the library images and found photo of the Trailblazer monorail and it refers to it as the Goodell Monorail company so I guess they are the same, but the image of what appears to be an old monorail car in the weeds does not look like the ones in photos of the Trailblazer.

[gmac]

https://houstorian.wordpress.com/2008/07/25/epsom-downs-and-arrowhead-park/

[plangan107]

Chris, the Goodell Monorail Company also had plans for monorails in Canada in Niagara Falls. Plans fell through, there are articles on the subject online. I am almost finished by book called 'Forgotten Monorails of Canada" Paul Langan

[Highrise Tower]

Arrowhead Park sure does have some memories!  First it was a horse racing track, then the monorail testing site, and finally it was an automobile racing site.

Looks like the horse racing was active in the 1940s, monorail testing site was active in the 1950s to 1970s? and the Speedway was active in the 1950s.  So maybe all around the same time.

Brodie Manager of Racing Park:

Houston, Texas, Feb. 15th Steve Brodie, colorful Arizona horseman and cousin of "Take-a-Chance Brodie" of Brooklyn bridge jumping fame, today was named general manager of Arrowhead Park by George H. Echols, president of Houston's new $1,250,000 plant for quarter horse racing, rodeos, horse and cattle shows.  Arrowhead Park is scheduled to open in May.

Regarding the proposed, and tested monorail, here is a television news script for people to read.

Neighborhood reactions and comments about the monorail.

Finally, the awesome Arrowhead Park Speedway.

Stock Car Races Every Thursday & Saturday - 8:15 P.M.

Asphalt Track, Covered Grandstand, Top Drivers.

Old Spanish Trail at Main St. Houston, Texas.

 

[Highrise Tower]

Information found in the newspaper The Baytown Sun dated November 18, 1957.

This particular Monorail was designed by Murel Goodell for his company Monorail, Inc. based in Houston, TX.   Actually, all three monorails that were tested in Houston (Houston International Airport, Arrowhead Park, and Fondren/S. Main) were owned by Murel Goodell.

Financier Buys Stock In Monorail

Axel Wenner Gren, the Swedish financier and unofficial world diplomat, today announced his purchase of the controlling interest in Monorail, Inc. for $2 million.

Wenner Gren and Murel Goodell, manager of Monorail, said the company headquartered in Houston, will continue under the same management but will have Wenner – Gren's support to insure its expansion.

Monorail is a single track overhead train system that can operate up to 150 miles an hour.It has been failed as an answer to the modern urban transportation problem.
But so far, it has suffered from lack of financing. The only operating system the company owns extends across the state fair grounds in Dallas.

[Highrise Tower]

Oh yeah!! Aerial photographs from the 1940s that featured the Arrowhead Park Speedway.

What were those weird shaped buildings? Vehicle storage? Farming?