Born in Houston in '57 (original St. Joseph's bldg. Maternity Ward downtown), I grew up in the Gulf Frwy & Park Place area.
Random remembrances of growing up in early-to-mid 1960s in this area:
Palm Center for JC Penny, Playhouse Toys (yah!), and Walter Pyes
Globe dept. store at Gulfgate was Wal-Mart of its time (?)
Of course, original Gulfgate Mall. My dad used Gulfgate State (?) bank. Dad would take me to One's a Meal and we would sit at the counter and drink a Coke (from a Coke glass with ice). Loved looking in the hobby shop (can't recall its name), bought Este's rocket stuff there eventually. I can vaguely recall Gulfgate before it was enclosed and A/Ced.
Groceries came from Mucasey's (Lucky-7?) grocery on Broadway just north of I-45 (everyone knew Mr. Mucasey), and Weingartens on Park Place just south of I-45
Drugs/prescriptions from Lang's, next to Weingartens
Burgers/Fries/Drinks from the Chuck Wagon (window service only!) also on Broadway close to Mucasey's
Soft-serve ice cream from Tasty Freeze (?) just next door to the Chuck Wagon
Elvis and Disney Movies at the Santa Rosa (Telephone Rd.) and the Broadway (Broadway).
For birthday parties, Peppermint Park (Gulf Frwy by Gulfgate) and occasionally Kiterik (ch. 13).
Was member and attended area YMCA
Church and School at St. Christopher Catholic on Park Place
Playing at Charlton Park next to St. Christopher
I remember the Drive-In (movie) and Frito Lay factory (class field trip) in the Gulfgate area
John Whirler of the Houston Zoo on Cadet Don (and Seymore the puppet!) TV show (ch. 13 again) in the mornings
Officer Ken Garnett also on Cadet Don, eventually was injured while on duty
Larry Kane's dance show on Saturdays (ch. 13 again!)
Art Grindle advertisements ("I Want To Sell You A CAR!!!") during Tarzan movies on TV on Saturdays
Al Bell (news), Sid Lasher (weather) on ch. 11 daily TV news
Chris Chandler and Jo Ann King on ch. 2 daily 5:00 pm local TV show
The Houston Zoo, riding the miniature train at Hermann Park, and the giant locomotive on display there
I remember Astrodome/Astroworld when new and exciting!
I remember a time before loop 610 existed. We went through downtown to get to the Med. Center/dome area.
I remember car dealerships downtown. Jacobe/Pearson Lincoln/Mercury anyone? Dad bought his '65 Comet there, probably in '65
Really trippin' the mind fantastic, but thanks for the opportunity!
-Gary K
I was also born in 57 at St. Josephs, Palm Center for Ones-A- Meal, Peppermint Park. I was a ride operator at Astroworld in the Alpine Sleighs. I took sewing lessons in Gulfgate Mall.
Went to Mt Carmel Schools and Church. We lived off MLK originally South Park. My dad worked for channel 13 in Master Control so I got to be on Kiterick and Cadet Don. I remember Marvin Zindler Eyewitness News. Dialing for Dollars. I’m glad I logged on and seen your post. I lost my mom in May of 1976 and my dad 5 years later. So even though I remember things of days gone, it’s nice to know someone else does.
Palm Center Shopping Center On Griggs Rd. At MLK Blvd.
in Historic Houston
Posted
I was also born in 57 at St. Josephs, Palm Center for Ones-A- Meal, Peppermint Park. I was a ride operator at Astroworld in the Alpine Sleighs. I took sewing lessons in Gulfgate Mall.
Went to Mt Carmel Schools and Church. We lived off MLK originally South Park. My dad worked for channel 13 in Master Control so I got to be on Kiterick and Cadet Don. I remember Marvin Zindler Eyewitness News. Dialing for Dollars. I’m glad I logged on and seen your post. I lost my mom in May of 1976 and my dad 5 years later. So even though I remember things of days gone, it’s nice to know someone else does.