apollopride

Anyone remember SFDS carnivals? We went to those every year. I can remember playing BINGO....

...My dad used to take us to pick Dewberries also. What fun! I had forgotten about that...One thing that you brought memories of was seeing dead "frogs" smashed in the street. I know this sounds terrible, but we use to see them all the time, then many years later when I would go back to my parents home, I always wondered where all the "frogs" went to.

SFDS still has the "carnivals" - it's called the Bazaar! I too loved to go when I was a kid. It must have been over 30 years ago that I bought a little green plant there (that I named Simon) and took it home to my Mom. It somehow jumped out of the pot and took over the flower bed in the backyard. It really made kind of nice ground cover. Mom called it "Simon's children." It is still there today along the side of the house! I am going to grab some for sure before we sell the place so I can have some of Simon's children at MY house.

I remember all the dewberries in that area too. There was a row of them that grew between Sharpstown General Hospital and Gethsemane Methodist Church. We picked some one day at nursery school and I put them in my front pocket to bring to my Grandfather who was visiting at the time. Too bad I did that BEFORE nap time. I ended up with smashed dewberries in my pocket.

And I remember all the frogs too! And you know what else has disappeared? Turtles. We were always finding turtles and keeping them as pets until they wandered off again. I guess it's just too much development - no place for the turtles and the frogs to hang out anymore.

We moved to Sharpstown in 1969. We lived on the corner of Neff St. and Larkwood. The house with the big white barking german shepard. The dog's name was "Marbles," but my mom used to yell out, "stop barking Killer." I guess Killer sounded more intimidating than Marbles.

Of course my brother and I moved out in later years, but my parents stayed there until 1991. I went to went to Sutton Elementary, Jane Long Jr. High and graduated from Sharpstown High with the class of 1983.

Well I know I've driven past your house many times because one of my best friends lived on the corner of Carvel and Larkwood. I bet I know you too! Or at least know who you are - I was in Class of '83 as well. We were going through boxes at my Dad's house tonight - getting ready to move him out - and I found this little black and white cartoon that Mom cut out of the paper one day and stuck on my bedroom door. It said "Class of '83 is Number One." It stayed there for years until they turned my bedroom into an office....about the same time my favorite Dallas Cowboys poster mysteriously disappeared!

7) I remember the old EATON Car Parts and repair place when it went up near the corner of Gessner and Beechnut. I thought, "wow, what a cool building". I think we all know the building.

I don't think you bored anyone here - we all seem to be Sharpstonians in our hearts! Those are some great memories. I remember when they built that Eaton building and how "mod" it was...well it was kind of like that store in Astroworld, "The Mod Box." But oh it looks awful now! They demolished the old car dealership and lot next to it and I wish they could just keep going and raze that building too.

I remember the hill in front of Pat Neff Elementary School that always seems so big when we hunted Easter Eggs...

Well you just recounted MY life! Only I was one year old when we moved to Sharpstown in 1965. Funny you mentioned the hill in front of Neff. I just drove past the school last weekend and wondered to myself why they had to get rid of the hill. Probably from fear of some Jack or Jill tumbling down and filing a lawsuit. Remember how there were always two Golden Eggs when they had the Easter Egg hunt out front? And did you ever encounter a horny toad on the kick ball field?! We are in the process of moving my Dad to a retirement center and I can't help but be pretty sad about not having a home in Sharpstown anymore.

Two Pesos? Taco Cabana bought the Two Pesos stores in Houston. I don't remember a Del Taco in Houston. I know they are just about everywhere, but Texas though. I went to one last year in California!

I know there were 2 Del Tacos on S. Gessner - one near the Hwy 59 intersection and one near the Westchase district. I liked their strawberry soda.

There was a cool place to eat on the end that you ordered using telephones at the table. I don't recall the name.

I loved that restaurant! I think it was called Across the Street.

(And Mrs. Hughes was my 4th grade teacher too)

"Mansion" at Gessner and Beechnut? Yes, I wondered what kind of person would have invested in a building at that site at a busy intersection. Gypsy's? most likely.

So funny that you said that! I guess we heard the same rumor. If anyone asks me I always say the King of the Gypsys lives there. My 41 year old brain can't remember where that tidbit came from. I thought it was one of those crazy things my Mom was always coming up with.

Hey is Christie's still on Westheimer? Seafood.

Just drove past Christie's on Westheimer yesterday - still there! We always went to the one on Bellaire - near Hillcroft - no longer there.

In answer to your question, old_sharpstown, I don't know what PID is, but I remember reading about TIRZ an article that was in Chronicle a few months ago and partially quoted here:

The light has turned green for improvements aimed at increasing the Bellaire-Fondren intersection's safety, mobility, aesthetics and reducing flooding along Fondren.

The Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority announced Tuesday that a contractor will be selected from two bidders - Jerdon Construction of Stafford and Reytec Construction Resources Inc. of Houston - to complete intersection improvements at Bellaire Boulevard at Fondren Road.

The project's engineer, HNTB Architects Engineers Planners, estimated the outlined improvements would cost between $2.5-$3 million.

Those costs will be financed through the (Sharpstown) Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 20, created by the city of Houston in 1999 and governed by the Authority.

Bill Calderon, executive director of the Authority and TIRZ No. 20, said the pilot project will set the tone for roadway improvements to rival those in the downtown and Galleria areas.

A couple of months ago there was a house fire at Burning Tree and Sharpview. I heard from a woman at my church that the owners are going to tear down and rebuild a larger home. There is one Sharpstown realtor who has been saying for years, "Sharpstown is the next Bellaire." Maybe this home is the beginning of Sharpstown's rebirth! However - I don't wish for all the old Sharpstown homes to be torn down and replaced with McMansions - they are great, solidly built homes.

Wow! Thanks for the photos MaxConcrete! So did the Sinclair Station become an Arco? (And I think later an Amco). The man in "station 7" is wearing an Arco shirt. I think that is Mr. Terhune - who I remember fondly from my parent's Sunday School class.

Also - I saw that water tower photo for sale on eBay, but I didn't buy it. Also saw the Sharpstown Clock on ebay...didn't buy it either, but saved it to my computer...

There used to be a Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor in Parkdale Mall in Beaumont, but it's been long gone. Was Farrell's part of a chain?

I found a web site of Farrell's history. It said there were 130 parlours coast to coast and two currently in operation. They have a video of a birthday celebration from 1974. That takes me back. I was there for my birthday in 1976 and remember being mortified! Here's the link to the site:

http://www.happyitis.biz/

old_sharpstown...

See the Sharpstown Mall thread for some excellent pictures of the Sinclair station and more!

Here's one of the slogans I remember from Sage billboards:

Rudolph shops at Sage, red knows (nose)

You know those billboards are one of the things I remember specifically from childhood that first got my interest in going into the advertising field.

Hey stolitx - I posted this on another thread - but the ones I will never forget are:

Earl Campbel saved at Sage. He's a runnin' back!

and

Joe Sambito saved at Sage. What a relief!

Which was trashier? Sage or Globe?

Definitely Globe.

Found these in an old newspaper from 1963

Thank you so much for posting this logo! I've been wanting to compare the old Weingarten's W to the Washington Nationals'. I KNEW they were almost the same!

Depends where on Bellaire you are talking - Out in Alief there was a skating rink called Great Skate between Cook and Kirkwood - First place I ever held a girls hand

The Great Skate was my junior high hang out. My first boyfriend got down on one knee in the middle of the rink and asked me to "go" with him. How romantic.

I now remember an appliance store called Kennedy & Cohen. Is it still there?

I know nothing of their current status - but I distinctly remember their jingle!

'You should be goin' - to Kennedy & Cohen - Kennedy & Cohennnnnnnnn."

Apollo, I can't begin to tell you how many times I was in that Arcade at Sharpstown, back in the 70's. I still remember it, it was sooooooo dark and gritty, I LOVED IT !

I have a restaurant for some of you "oldtimers", does anyone recall "The Blue Marlin" out in Humble ?

Me too! I loved playing Cetipede and Galaga! And kitty-corner to the arcade was "Roman Delight Pizza." The guys there would give cat-calls to all us girls going in to work at the Chik-fil-a in our lovely polyester double-knit uniforms.

Don't remember the Blue Marlin though - Humble might as well have been the other side of the world for me.

Did anybody see this article in the Chronicle last month? I really hope it brings some life back to good ole Sharpstown!

The light has turned green for improvements aimed at increasing the Bellaire-Fondren intersection's safety, mobility, aesthetics and reducing flooding along Fondren.

The Southwest Houston Redevelopment Authority announced Tuesday that a contractor will be selected from two bidders - Jerdon Construction of Stafford and Reytec Construction Resources Inc. of Houston - to complete intersection improvements at Bellaire Boulevard at Fondren Road.

The project's engineer, HNTB Architects Engineers Planners, estimated the outlined improvements would cost between $2.5-$3 million.

Those costs will be financed through the (Sharpstown) Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone No. 20, created by the city of Houston in 1999 and governed by the Authority.

Bill Calderon, executive director of the Authority and TIRZ No. 20, said the pilot project will set the tone for roadway improvements to rival those those in the downtown and Galleria areas.

Steve Pittman, communications director for the Authority and the Sharpstown Economic Development Authority, said construction should begin in March. It will be managed by Matthew Lopez, an engineer with Cobb Fendley & Associates.

The bid calls for the installation of four new left turn lanes; custom transit shelters, streetlights and traffic signals; landscaping in the medians and at the intersection's corners; and storm water drainage improvements.

Presently, no left turn is allowed from any of intersection's two adjoining streets. (Bellaire runs east-west; Fondren, north-south). Motorists must proceed through the intersection and make a left or U-turn at the next break in the median, causing a backup in traffic flow.

Signs posted before the intersection indicate this.

According to Houston Police Department data, the intersection was listed among the city's Top 50 Accident Locations from Jan. 1-March 31, 2005.

Nick Patel, owner/manager of Collision Plus Inc. at 7628 Bellaire Blvd., located roughly 500 feet from the intersection, said since his family opened the business in 1992, they've seen a good number of accidents, rollovers and illegal turns.

"Just yesterday (Feb. 2), there were two major accidents, one at noon and the other at 2 p.m.," said Patel's father, Sam.

Patel said the intersection's safety aspects are compounded by Metro bus riders, who must cross Fondren or Bellaire on foot to change bus routes.

Pittman said the intersection's new street lights, traffic signals, bus transit shelters and pavers will not be standard city structures, but custom items similar to those found in downtown and Uptown Cotswold projects.

To alleviate flooding along Fondren, Pittman said 36-inch and 42-inch drainage lines under Bellaire Boulevard will be replaced with 60-inch pipes, which will run west to a drainage ditch that runs parallel to Fondren. This new pipe will be about 1,800 feet in length.

Additional bid specs include roadway pavement removal and replacement, the installation of a new water line, wheelchair ramps, signing and striping.

The intersection improvements are the first piece in a $33 million renovation of Bellaire Boulevard from U.S. 59 to Beltway 8 and Fondren from U.S. 59 to Westpark.

Fred Schiller, general partner of Arena Place, which encompasses two, 20-story office towers, the Arena Theatre and a nine-story parking garage at 7322, 7324 and 7326 Southwest Freeway, said the improvements will have a major impact.

"They will improve access to the whole area, and set the tone for the area as a gateway," Schiller said.

Pittman said the next three projects will improve Bellaire Boulevard between Mary Bates Drive and U.S. 59, and the Bellaire and Fondren Gateways at U.S. 59.

The seven-member TIRZ No. 20 board will meet this month to reconsider those specific improvements.

Yes, the "Beatles" etching was on the Waldo side of the school. I don't remember which sidewalk it was on. Are those "temporary" buildings still there? At least one of those was used for PE when I went there. The little baseball field was right behind them.

The temporaries are still there - but now there are a lot more of them. They totally gutted Neff over the summer and took out all the windows and are replacing them. They didn't complete the project before school started so I guess that's why they had to move in all the extra temporaries. The new windows look almost like the old (that 60's geometric style) but they look thicker and are able to be opened. I remember PE in that old school room with Mrs. Robinette. I went to Neff's 40th birthday party and saw some of the old teachers and Mr. Martin...and the first principal who was probably gone before you got there...Mrs. Moore. I told her she really frightened me as a child and she said, "How else do you think I kept all those kids in line?" She's still a little scary.

Does anyone remember a store called Sage? It was on the east side of the gulf freeway somewhere between edgebrook and shaver. It sat at a funny angle to the street and had a huge parking lot. I never went to that store and have no idea what they sold but I remember it being very big and always packed with cars.

I still have one of their old ad campaigns seared in my brain...

"Earl Campbell saved at Sage - He's a runnin' back!"

Or

"Joe Sambito saved at Sage - What a relief!" (Joe Sambito was a relief pitcher for the Astros in the 70's)

There use to be an area that was upstairs at Sharpstown Mall that had bars and resturants. Anyone remember that? Names of any of them? I use to go see live music there sometimes.

Chelsea Street Pub was the only bar. I can't tell you how many times I heard "Up Against the Wall Redneck Mother" while we were closing up the Chick-fil-a. That's funny - I had forgotten about that "fancy" restaurant lowspark mentioned...no one went there. (It was across the way from the See's Candies...yum!)

Anyone remember the BBQ Barn? This was at the corner of Fondren and Westpark. I have an advertisement and menu from 1970 as soon as I figure out how to insert photos.... wouldn't let me insert "dynamic photos" (from my photo album) just now.

Hey roym -

Thanks for pointing me back to this site! I just got your email that you sent back in January. That BBQ Barn is still there. Just drove past it the other day. And yes, the theater on Gessner and Beechnut was the Southway 6. By the way - in your email you indicated you thought I lived in Sharpstown Section 1 (Neff - Larkwood - Cannock). But we moved to Rowan St near the intersection of Waldo in 1965. (I think that is called "Sharpstown Country Club Terrace") I really had a flashback when you mentioned the "Beatles" etched in the concrete at Pat Neff. Was it on the sidewalk near the temporary buildings on the Waldo side?

Does anybody remember a grocery store near Fondren and Bissonett called Sacco Bros.? I'm not sure I spelled it correctly. When I was a LITTLE kid I'd go there with my Mom and "Mr. Sam" would always give me a piece of bubblegum.

I really cringe when I hear people talking about how "bad" the Sharpstown area is. My Dad still lives there and our little pocket doesn't seem to have changed much at all. Every weekend I drive past Pat Neff Elem. on Carvel and turn left onto Waldo to Rowan Lane and I feel like it might was well be 1971 and I am walking home from 1st grade. (only the trees are bigger and there wasn't a fence around Landsdale Park)

Sharpstown Drive-In Theater was demolished either in the late 70's or early 80's. They built apartments on that tract. There also used to be a chinese restaraunt across from Globe. I ate my first fortune cookie there, but it's long gone too.

I remember wathcing movies from the back of our station wagon in my p.j.'s. Don't remember what movies we saw there - I probably just fell asleep.

For anyone who is interested...there is a dive store-front bar on Gessner near Bissonnet called The Shamrock. I was not thrilled to be there until someone, who was not from Houston, told me that the bar and a lot of the fixtures in the bar came from an old hotel in Houston. I started looking around and realized it was stuff fom the old Shamrock Hotel! It was a beautiful hotel. Our high school prom was there...as were a lot of them back then.

I just stumbled across this web site as I was looking for a picture of the "W" in the old Weingarten's logo. I'm trying to prove to my husband it's the same "W" the Washington Nationals baseball team uses. He probably wouldn't care even if I could find it...now I just want to prove it to myself! As for my neighborhood...We moved to Sharpstown in its hey-day of 1965. My Mom and Dad still live there. Our little pocket (bordered by Beechnut, Gessner, Bellaire and Fondren) has not changed much - except the trees are MUCH bigger. They just started re-modeling my old elementary school (Pat Neff) and I'm kind of nervous about that - some things I would rather be left alone. The surrounding area is what has really changed. I had a pet turtle once that I had to release to the wild - so Dad drove me to a field out in the middle of nowhere to release him...that middle of nowhere is what used to be the K-Mart on the corner of Beechnut and Highway 59. I remember when you could actually see the domed Arena theater on the corner of Fondren and 59 (only it was called something else). Now it's hidden by those two ugly black buildings on the corner. I remember when Sharpstown Mall was THE place to go. Does anyone remember the old carousel clock that was in the middle of the mall?! It had the six flags of Texas on the top and would play music and little doors would open to show different scenes from Texas as it turned around. It was very cool. I read somewhere it was a glockenspiel. Sharpstown Glockenspiel