Fez1964

I have to thank y'all for adding this thread. It is one of my favorites on this forum. Now, everytime I step into this HEB, I note what songs they are playing and chuckle down the aisles looking at the demographics who shop at this store. It does not add up. I will bust out laughing if I hear the obscure 80s tune, Down in the Park by Gary Numan or How Soon is Now by the Smiths. Some may have an issue with background music but for me it works. I am drawn to this store because of the music.

I believe the church you are referring to is called Broadway Baptist. The church has had an impact in the community for decades. They had a school there and I am not too sure if it is still open.

On a lighter side, the hurricane gave me an opportunity to see something that I haven't seen in decades within the city limits of Houston: Fireflies. On two separate nights during our blackout, I saw two fireflies fluttering around our driveway in southeast Houston. It was my understanding that these insects were scarce in Houston. Perhaps there are more present but cannot see them with all the lighting we have in the city. As a kid growing up in Houston during the 70s, I would often see fireflies and catch them in a jar.

The Magnolia Park Historical Preservation Association (MPHPA) continues to meet monthly in our efforts to secure Texas Historical Commission markers for the community of Magnolia Park in southeast Houston. If everything goes as planned, the markers should be unveiled to the public in October of 2009 with a community-wide celebration. Click on this link, http://www.magparkhou.com/ and scroll down the page for meeting dates of the MPHPA. We are in a fundraising stage at this point.

The Magnolia Park Historical Preservation Association (MPHPA) continues to meet monthly in our efforts to secure Texas Historical Commission markers for the community. If everything goes as planned, the markers should be unveiled to the public in October of 2009 with a community-wide celebration. Click on this link, http://www.magparkhou.com/ and scroll down the page for meeting dates of the MPHPA. We are in a fundraising stage at this point.

In 1975, there was a movie called, A Boy and His Dog, a low-budget science fiction and dark comedy flick starring a young Don Johnson of Miami Vice fame. Over the years, it has developed a cult following. To this day, it has one of the most wickedest ending I have ever seen in a movie. Some producer out there should remake this movie. With the right production, it would do well.

Vertigo, I laughed out loud when you called Blockbuster, "Ballbuster." I take it that you do not like the establishment.

Yes, being that the Magnolia Park area is predominantly Hispanic and traditionally, Mexican-Americans have voted as Democrats, I would be surprised to see the Republicans install a campaign office in the area.

Yes, the proposed J. R. Harris Park will be on the west side of Broadway Blvd. If I remember correctly, the Broadway theater was located on the east side of the boulevard where 225 ends. I would say that the park will be several acres large with its most western point within a 100 feet from the cemetery.

It just so happens that the area where 225 ends into Broadway does have historical significance. The open, undeveloped space where persons would learn how to drive off of Broadway is being developed into a park area named after John Harris. Not far from the proposed J. R. Harris Park and just off of Lawndale is the Harrisburg-Jackson cemetery, perhaps Houston's oldest surviving African-American graveyard which dates back to before 1864. The cemetery has a Texas Historical Commission marker on the grounds and would most likely be encroached upon if Highway 225 had gone into the East End.

As we prepare to recognize the centennial in 2009 for the community of Magnolia Park, I have come in possession of census records of the community for 1920 and 1930. If you have roots in Magnolia Park during the 1920s and 1930s, contact me through a private email and perhaps I can share with you some family history. Census records can be a hit or miss and often offer some invaluable and interesting information. Magnolia Park roughly extended from 65th Street to 80th Street and was bordered by the ship channel and Harrisburg Boulevard.

This stretch of Broadway Street that you are referring to was the main street for the town of Harrisburg, Texas. Growing up in that area during the 60s and 70s, I remember that there was also a post office there too. The vacant lot next to the underpass was the site of the Milby mansion. I understand that this mansion was razed in the late 1950s. During the 70s, I remember that there was a Texas historical marker placed there for the Milby mansion but it has since disappeared. Anyone know of its whereabouts?

The headquarters of the Houston Parks & Recreation Department addressed at 2999 S. Wayside also served as the interim main offices for NASA during the Mercury project of the early 1960s. Currently, the building is being renovated.

I graduated from Mt. Carmel in 1983 and can say that the education I received from there made me a more rounded person. From this education, I had the interest to go to college and receive a bachelor's degree. I would not be who I am today if it were not for Mt. Carmel. As a Hispanic from a blue collar family from the East End, Mt. Carmel provided me an alternative education not offered in my zoned school district. And I am not the only one. Many other Hispanic families similar to my background realized the importance of Catholic education. These families would rather spend their incomes on tuition costs for their kids' education than upgrading their lifestyles and move out from the inner-city into the suburbs. Our families had different priorities. Years ago, there was rumors that Mt. Carmel might move to a different location, a site more centrally located along I-45 in southeast Houston. Here is a website dedicated to saving this unique school: http://www.savemtcarmel.org/

Central Park was a subdivision of the municipality of Magnolia Park.

Inspired by the efforts of Magnolia Park to get a Texas historical marker for the community, the Catholic church of Immaculate Conception has also shown interest in obtaining a historical marker as it nears its centennial anniversary in 2011. Founded by Oblate Catholic priests in 1911, Immaculate Conception addressed at 7250 Harrisburg is perhaps Magnolia Park's oldest surviving institution. The church's influence goes beyond Magnolia Park. Immaculate Conception founded Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic church at 2405 Navigation in 1912. Then in the late 1910s, a priest from Immaculate Conception was visiting the newly developed Park Place community to conduct Mass for Catholics residing there. From this missionary effort, St. Christopher Catholic Church at 8150 Park Place Boulevard was organized in 1922. It is my understanding that Immaculate Conception also had an influence in organizing Our Queen of Peace Catholic Church located at 3011 Telephone Road. The first church building used by Queen of Peace in 1942 was transferred from the property of Immaculate Conception. As I survey the Queen of Peace parish, I notice that there is a second smaller building on Telephone Road which resembles a church. Perhaps someone out there can collaborate this history. And as the history of Immaculate Conception continues to be researched, other interesting aspects of the church may be uncovered. Stay tuned.

Actually, the address is 6328 Brookside and the Registered Texas Historical Marker you are referring to is titled the Angelo and Lillian Minella House. This is how the inscription on the marker reads: By 1946, Angelo and Lillian Minella had moved to Houston, where Angelo operated a plumbing and heating supply company. The couple hired architect Allen R. Williams, Jr. to design this residence, finished in 1950. It was one of several "Century Built Homes" designed by Williams, who developed a standardized, all-masonry plan used in various iterations by other Houston families. Built of concrete tiles, the home features a complex roofline, dominant brick chimney and planter boxes, and the clean, asymmetrical lines typical of mid-20th century Ranch style houses. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 2006

In my research, the old City Hall building of Magnolia Park at 7301 Avenue F served as Voting precinct #64 for the area before the precinct was moved to the YWCA building on Navigation. Can anyone provide information on this?

I don't have a photo, but a new building has been installed where the old structure stood. I attended Blessed Sacrament in the late 1970s and remember the old building. The top story was a spacious social hall with a stage. We would have our pep raillies, stage events and school dances there. The street level was where my sixth, seventh and eighth grades classes were held.

I believe the visitor center in downtown still may have copies. If not, drop me a private email and I can give you my address.

I am also a graduate of Mount Carmel High and I too, have self-published a book dealing with local history called Kotton, Port, Rail Center: A History of Early Radio in Houston. The book covers the primitive inception of radio in our city and how it evolved into Houston radio broadcasting scene during the 1920s. I see that you have created a website for your book. I need to do the same. Good luck on your book!

Wonderful photos and good luck with the website! The photos showing De Zavala school students of the 1930s are cool. In one of your photos, I see Jesse Jones and Franklin Delano Roosevelt in what appears to be a parade. I assume this was taken in Magnolia but do not know of the details. Can someone provide information on this photo? Also, the photos of the baseball teams show that they played in some kind of stadium. Was this stadium located in Magnolia?

Listed below are some of Magnolia's surviving community landmarks that were established before 1930. These landmarks will be referenced in the written narrative that will support the proposed Texas historical marker. I have included brief histories and sources. I would appreciate any additional information and comments on these landmarks. Immaculate Conception - Located at 7250 Harrisburg, this Catholic church was established in 1911. (Sources: the Archdiocese Galveston-Houston website and Sanborn Fire Insurance maps of Magnolia Park) Hidalgo Park - Addressed at 7000 Avenue Q, this city park was established in 1927 shortly after Houston annexed Magnolia Park in 1926. I understand that this park was an important focal point for the community during the first half of the 20th century. (Source: City of Houston Parks Dept. website) Franklin Elementary School - Located at 7101 Canal, this school was established as early as 1913 and was named the Magnolia Park Public School. (Source: HISD website and the 1925 Sanborn Fire Insurance map of Magnolia Park) Immaculate Heart of Mary - Catholic church addressed at 7250 Avenue K and established in 1926. Before 1925, the site had what was called a "Presbyterian Mexican Church." By 1929, Immaculate Heart of Mary also had a school on the grounds. It is my understanding that this church was established as a mission to Magnolia's Mexican-American community from Immaculate Conception. (Sources: the Archdiocese Galveston-Houston website and the 1929 Sanborn Fire Insurance map of the area) Lorenzo De Zavala school and city park - School was started as early as 1920 to serve Magnolia's Mexican-American community and was originally addressed at the corner of 75th St. and Avenue H. The park was established in 1945. (Sources: HISD website, City of Houston Park Dept. website and Sanborn Fire Insurance maps of Magnolia Park) American Legion Hall - Addressed at 7547 Avenue C, this social hall was established between 1925 and 1929. (Sources: Sanborn Fire Insurance maps of the area) Sociedad Mutualista Benito Juarez building - Originally a theater for live peformances and movies before 1925, this building located at 7320 Navigation became a social hall for this mutual aid society in 1928. (Sources: the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance website and Sanborn Fire Insurance maps of the area)

This is a call to all parties interested in preserving the Harrisburg-Jackson cemetery located in southeast Houston near Milby High School. To keep this cemetery landscaped, a group needs to be formed to raise funds. I know a few folks who have expressed interest but we need to get together to concentrate our efforts. No one legally owns the cemetery and the City of Houston will not provide maintenance. Believe me, I have involved with the project since the late 1990s and assisted with the Texas Historical Marker you see on the grounds. Some big-hearted person has recently gone into the grounds to landscape the front portion of the cemetery. But I know that they will soon need help before the growing season starts again. While the grass is cut is an ideal time to form a concerned group, raise funds, and start paying someone to perpetually maintain the grounds. My estimation is that it would take a few thousand dollars annually to maintain the cemetery. For a concerned group of a few persons, raising a few thousand dollars each year should not be that difficult. Contact me if you are interested or have ideas.