marketingwiz

The hosting service disables links after a period of time if no one looks at the pictures. I have been busy but I will repost Ivy Russell this weekend. Also take a look here for some more info and newer pictures of the building.

Hi Sub! I think I've PM'd you about this very subject, not being able to see your wonderful photos. I was especially disappointed because I was never able to view the great postcard collection you posted a while back of old motels along OST, including the Alama Court Motel. I can see other people's images but not yours for some unknown reason. I am on Firefox (latest and greatest) and Safari. If you think of any solution, let me know. Thanks!

Is the Great Mining Company or Montana Mining Company still in business near Westheimer and Gessner?

Unfortunately, it is no longer there. It was the first 'upscale date' my husband and I went on and I remember all the wooden interior and mine shaft entrance that supported the whole theme of the restaurant. Initially, you and other guests had to board a small mining car that would whisk you up to the hostess to be seated. They eventually stopped that but kept the mining car on display and removed the tracks. The menu was heavy steakhouse fare and a bit on the San Francisco side; they served a great sourdough bread basket before dinner with fresh butter.

Originally, I believe the restaurant was called Baby Doe's Matchless Mine Restaurant and then it changed names and management.

Well this is even MORE than I could have hoped for. They should be commended for their efforts and I'll just learn to be patient and wait for the final results. They have my deepest admiration.

We made our bi-weekly drive-by of 215 Westmoreland and although the scaffolding is still up, the paint job is really lagging. Even in twilight, you can see the old rotting wood bleeding through. Perhaps there's another coat of that flat white paint to be applied. And the upper railings on the second story are missing. I'm sure it's better than nothing but what a half-azzed job! My husband and I fantasize about restoring it and what we'd do. That home is screaming to be saved. I'll make it my first project after I win the Lottery! We'll have a HAIF party there.

Wasn't Armandos the Mexican place on Louisiana near the Pierce Elevated and then at Mercado?

Uncle Tais on Post Oak I remember thinking was way overrated.

WOW Marmer! Thanks for the memories. I loved reading the Hebert's Ritz and San Jacinto Inn menus, what a flashback since I used to frequent both of those places.

Subdude: Armando's was on South Shepherd right by San Felipe (east side of Shepherd, next to a Taco Bell that's still there). It was started by Armando Palacios from Harlingen and has reopened as a more upscale restaurant now on Westheimer in River Oaks (at Kirby). Armando's original menu was unbeatable, homestyle Mexican food.

Does anyone remember Leo's Mexican Restaurant on S. Shepherd? It was a small white building with a long green awning almost out to the street. It was fave of ZZ Topp as their photos were all over the walls. I think it was torn down in the mid-80's. Anyone know anything or remember this place?

You could buy Ecstasy at Mary's in the back. Purely anecdotal knowledge.......

Hi everyone! My husband and I drove by the Alamo Plaza Motor Hotel around 9 p.m. Saturday night (Aug. 23) and even though it was fairly dark, it looks like that 'developer' sign regarding a future multi-family residential project was gone and in its place was a sign with weekly rates posted for 'efficiency apartments.' It was too dark for me to read the rates. We drove through the circular drive and it hit me then that the big developer sign is gone. Thought you might want to know.

Anyone got any details on what's happened?

Can't help wanting to say "thank you, thank you!" each time someone signs... but I'll try to keep it to PM's from now on.

Signed, sealed and delivered. No thanks necessary.

My understanding, from a close source, is that the guy in the house just to the west simply paid to have a coat of paint thrown on it, because he was "tired of looking at it like that".

It makes me ill even to think about it, but I would say that there is a 90% chance the home will be knocked down within a couple years and replaced with townhomes. The lot is simply too big. Reckless townhome development in that neighborhood has really accelerated in the past year.

Well that makes more sense now because the owners have said (indirectly quoted) they don't have the money to paint it. According to them it would cost over $1 million to get it repainted and refurbished to original condition, and that, of course, does not include the interior. If it's the homeowner to their west, then it must be the resident in that huge, red brick home with the old awnings. I sensed it was a 'band-aid' kind of job from what I observed.

And I'll chain myself to one of those pillars before they tear it down! They'll have to remove me kicking and screaming.

and seriously when this place is complete someone should alert the local historical society or preservation org to be in attendance, I will get media coverage anything! This is something Houston needs to be proud of.

Since I am partner in a small ad and PR agency, that's right up my alley! It might give me an excuse to contact the owners and ask permission to get media coverage as well as a tour..... And for some reason, my kitty avatar is not showing today nor is anyone else's.

Now I've just remembered something else from my days in Houston over 40 years ago. I recall us stopping by a convenience store chain called "U-Tote-Um." The sign was an indian totem pole. Does anyone else out there remember those stores?

Chet Cuccia

Do I remember U-Tote-Em? I WORKED at a UT in College Station when I was a sophomore at Texas A & M. It was directly across from campus (still there) near the intersection of Texas Ave. and Hwy. 6. I had the graveyard shift from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. If I didn't have to study, I'd go to work drunk straight from the club(s). What a life!

I actually ate some of that Regal Food Service crap food from the refrigerators, like bean burritos and pimento cheese sandwiches (safest choices). During finals, my study group would meet there and we'd drink beer, smoke cigs and study all night. I was so good that I was asked to work at a second UT in Bryan. I guess the bar was set pretty low back then........

I'm not sure there's going to be a complete restoration. As it is, it looks like it needs another coat of paint! $$$

Honestly, I've thought the same thing. I have not seen contractor signs in the yard and we drove by it last weekend so they must be recent. But the paint job seems somewhat unfinished and lackluster, as though they could only apply one coat. And much of the upper railings are still missing. The porte cochere is still a mess.

Hey Vertigo, I'll be happy to buy the champagne at its final unveiling if I could just get a tour of the place!

how about any knowledge on these two things, and i am going back to the mid 60s here, so a lot of you may have no idea what i am asking about. but....

there was a local line of soft drinks - cream soda, rootbeer, fruit sodas - was the name - golden times or something like that? not around anymore that i can tell. anyone know the story?

also, what happened to pearl and lone star beer?

and lastly, at the holiday period, Bordens would put out the VERY best eggnog ever. so so so thick, and a quart cardboard carton would cost 99 cents - truly expensive for those days. i would buy it after work late at night at a place open 24 hrs at the northwest corner of woodhead and richmond. we called it freaky foods, because the night people would be in there. it may actually have been called the richwood market, but it was freaky foods to all of us. freaky foods no longer is there. but please tell me that bordens still does this great eggnog during the holidays.

incidentally, the house of pies on kirby. i remember when it opened in early 1970. those pies were so good and 1.95 in price. banana cream was the favorite, but the black bottom, german chocolate, and butterscotch were great. and as i said, 1.95 for one of those pies.

ding

OMG Ding! That's the first time I've heard of anyone mentioning 'Freaky Foods' on HAIF and YES INDEED, it was a freaky place to shop. Most of the items on the old, rickety wooden shelves were DUSTY and expired; many of the can labels were faded. It was mostly a cigarettes, beer and wine kind of place. My future husband and I stood in line with many a transvestite (including Liza with a Z and Dr. Spock) to buy our Stouffer's frozen entrees, the safest food there. One evening we actually bought a wino his bottle after 5 minutes of watching his shaking hands pull penny after penny out of his filthy pants pocket. We were fairly poor back then so it was a big sacrifice for us. Yes, we contributed to his problem and no, rehabilitation didn't seem to be in his future. (We lived around the block on Colquitt and often walked to FF).

It was formally named Richwood Food Market and it is actually still there. They put aluminum siding on it and it's now a Texaco convenience store, same spot.

Borden's still makes a killer egg nog (but I think Schepp's is richer) and the House of Pies is now the House of Guys.

Hope this catches you up a bit. Welcome home!

Schwinn! Did you put that together? NICE WORK MAN (whoever did it!)!!

Whoever put that together had a lot of nice reference photos to work with.

My hat is off to you/them.

Dis

Allow me to echo that compliment, really NICE work, exceptional. I've watched it a couple of times already. You're a regular Scorsese, no kidding.

And has anyone mentioned the San Jacinto Inn, with their picnic tables, all-you-could-eat seafood (family-style) and their homemade biscuits?!?! Not to mention a great view of the San Jacinto Monument.

Does anyone remember Margo's LaMode? I had a credit card from that store! It was semi-upscale and in larger malls.

Does anyone remember a restaurant in The Galleria called "Shucker's", at least I think that's what it was called. The all you could eat boiled shrimpfor $5.99 was awesome, but you had to peel'em yourself. It was a nice little "sportsbar" type of place.

As far as I know, it's still there. I believe I've had oysters there in the past year.

Restaurants I miss:

Los Troncos (built in/around a huge tree)

Rice Hotel Coffee Shop and the downstairs cafeteria

Pier 21 near Braeswood and Fannin

The Red Lion on S. Main, north of Braeswood

Kaphan's

The Polyasian on S. Main, south of Braeswood

Alfred's on Stella Link

Trader Vic's on Gessner, near Westheimer

Wow Albert, I was just thinking about Los Troncos! But I thought it was called The Treehouse and it was located on Westheimer? My dad took me there for my birthday while I was still at A & M. We literally had to crawl up into a wooden booth that was elevated above the floor as were the other booths. Do you think this is the same restaurant?

That w i d e front entry way is what starts the drama and allure of the house. I see Edwardian society getting out of horse drawn carriages then onto these steps stopping & chatting or commenting on the flowered gardens then going in for tea. There was once a time in our city.

Imagine a child having a recital and the sounds of the upright piano echoing out into the porch and ladies fanning themselves on a cool brisk evening. A formal garden party with local notables mingling.

The beautiful kitty in your avatar should be resting right in the center of the doorway.

I couldn't agree more about the entry, it IS stunning. I've often imagined what it would have been like to sit on that porch on a hot summer day or in the evening and watch the street activity. That wrapped porch is so deep and sheltered, you could practically live on it. The glass in the front door looks original to me and I'd love to see where the stairs are. I wonder if it's a simple staircase or a sweeping, more dramatic staircase that leads upstairs. And I've had the same mental images of early 1900's Houston society arriving there for a party or event. I understand the house was rented out for a number of years before the current owners bought it in the 80s.

My favorite was the Cyclone Anaya's that was on Durham at Center (Washington). I know they have opened a new one on Woodway and now even one on Durham, but they will never compare to the one I use to visit on a regular basis. I can remember getting out of the car in the cruddy parking lot in back and smelling the meat cooking. My favorite was the Tacos el Carbon they served with Black Beans. And the Top Shelf Margarita.... one would make you wobble a bit and two could put you down. So Chuy, if you are reading this...we don't want a fancy place, we just want the good food and drinks that use to be. And Rico, I liked the salsa that your dad use to make.

Yes, Chuy and Rico, I hope you've gotten your tacos al carbon together since you stiffed the ad agency I was working for (1982) for all your billboards, matchbook covers and menus when you tried to open your first restaurant together in Katy. Great location for authentic Mexican cuisine! No wonder it failed. But at least you kept your gold nugget chains and avocado green Mercedes convertible.

We just worship that home! Houston history if ever there was!

Everything about it just is cool even the yards. Once completed it would be perfect for a movie location. Imagine a turn of the century ball of Houston aristocracy milling about, etc. This whole block and neighboring homes are fantastico! Belle fortuna!

Hi Vertigo! I think you nailed it when you said "worship." I fall into that category. There is a sense of history I cannot describe, a feeling that comes over me when I drive by that home. It's the architecture, the horse ties, the front door, the columns with the pineapple tops (a symbol of affluence back then), the yards, everything about it is so compelling to me. Sometimes my husband and I just park across the street along the curb and stare at it imagining what life was like back then. At night, the attic room is always lit, sometimes with a jack-o-lantern in the window....I'd LOVE to see what (or who?) is up there! I think it would be amazing to see the interior, the room layouts, fireplaces, kitchen and baths, EVERYTHING!

I have been told that the pool was used in some indie movie back in the 80s (My Best Friend is a Vampire), but when I watched the movie (which was awful) the pool and mansion scenes looked nothing like Westmoreland and more like a movie set, so I doubt it was used.

Just for you, marketingwiz....

Excerpts from an '80's menu...

There is more on Hebert's near the beginning of this thread where I posted a 1941 menu.

THANK YOU '57! Unfortunately nothing is showing up on your post so I'll search for your 1941 menu of Hebert's. Nice to know someone else remembers it.

Anyone remember Zappos sandwich shop in Bellaire?

My husband grew up in Bellaire at the corner of Maple and Rice and he LOVED Zappo's. When we first started dating in 1980, that's the first place we went out to eat together. It was his favorite place. AND, he used to bus tables at Herfy's Steakhouse in Bellaire.

Does anyone remember Hebert's Steakhouse near downtown? It was a restaurant in an old, 2-story frame house with the best steaks and shrimp cocktail with their signature (and killer!) remoulade sauce. Their neon sign had a bear on it and it read "A Bear's" so people would know how to pronounce their name. I went on many a date there, including with my husband. As I recall, the restaurant burned down in the 80's (?) and was never rebuilt.

Thought there would be more interest.

Maybe this thread should be merged with this one?

Hey there! Thanks for remembering my original thread. Yes, I've seen the activity and I'm absolutely thrilled. I'd love to know if the owners are doing the renovation or if it's being handled by some kind of historical preservation society. Either way, I cannot believe it's finally happening. I would pay those people to walk through that house. It's like a moment stood still in Houston 1905 and is forever captured. Look at those original horse ties at the front on the street.

I think I saw one of the owners speaking with a painter on the sidewalk but I didn't have the nerve to ask if I could see the house. I'm sure they'd say 'no' from what I've heard. And my husband's convinced that someone would chase me around with a chainsaw if I got in..........

Actually, I'd almost be willing to take that chance! Anyone got any inside scoop on the Westmoreland renovation?????

Who remember the "Tiddy's" store in Pasadena?

It was 'Tiddies,' Mid, and I still have Tiddies' koozies with big breasts silk-screened on them in white. There was nothing like Tiddies, and I also made a pilgrimage to the Tiddies' factory, such that it was.........

Do any of you fellow architecture junkies know anything about that house on I-45 N (Heights area) just south of the Houston Ave./N. Main exit, that's elevated like a tower with a huge weather-vane (I think) on the roof? It kind of a baby-puke yellow structure, square, looks like it's made out of metal. I know that house has been there more than 20 years but I know nothing about it. Do you? Or has there been a previous discussion thread I could follow? I know someone out there knows! You guys know everything. I love HAIF.