Fez1964

I'm convinced the new manager looks sort of like this. Here he is taking a smoke break.

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.

Isn't there a field near those sleazy bars and of all things a church? That church has always seemed very mysterious. I am certain it is still open but not sure what denomination or even more interesting year built and pics.

More trivia: One of those bars was called the Popcorn Lounge around 1979.

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.

I second that, Way to go, Fez! I hope the marker gets approved. The East End needs this kind of recognition.

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.

I am going to go by the best of my memory of other films popular at that time (& at the same theater) and here goes...

The Longest Yard

The Man with the Golden Gun

The Goodbye Girl

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Gumball Rally

Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Smokey & The Bandit

The Exorcist - reissued

Car Wash

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.

The closing should have ziltch, nada to do with Metro rail. Last I heard it was cancelled to go down harrisburg. Blockbuster is just outdated not only by name but by today's technology in entertainment especially for the younger set of which the industry is always targeting anyway.

Just a little background when that specific BallBuster (hee, hee) opened it was really nice and modern, little by little it went downhill. Got to the point where almost all films were not in English which "excluded' any bilingual or English only households. Once again stats assumed everyone around here did not speak English hence sales dropped and well who cares right?

Sayonara senor ballbusters!

Vertigo,

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

This is kind of Magnolia related:

New East End Campaign Office Opening!

Hon. Gene Green. Hon. Sylvia Garcia. Hon. Mario Gallegos. Hon. Rick Noriega. Hon. Jessica Farrar. Hon. Ana Hernandez. Hon. Adrian Garcia. Hon. Carol Alvarado. These are local Democrats that we can be proud of, and 2008 is the year that they will make a difference for all Texans. We need your help in making sure our local candidates become the elected leaders we need. Please join us and many of our candidates this Saturday, July 26th, from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, at 201 Broadway as we open the doors to our new East End Campaign Office for the Harris County Democratic Party's Coordinated Campaign.

We will be serving hot dogs and cold drinks as we welcome you to your local Democratic headquarters. An exciting program featuring master of ceremonies Constable Victor Trevino, other elected officials, raffle drawings every 15 minutes, and a special guest from the two-time MLS Champions Houston Dynamo will kick off promptly at 11:00 am. We know many of our neighbors volunteered at this location for Senator Hillary Clinton, and we hope you will come back to support our Democrats up and down the ballot once more. The energy in our March Primary was unprecedented, and we need it again to make sure that Democrats win all over the state and in our community. The Republicans in Harris County have proven they will do whatever it takes to hold on to their offices, and it will take all of our effort to restore integrity and accountability to our public officials.

We now need your help to fill up our office, not only with yourselves on Saturday, but with your time, your talent, and any of the following items:

• Refrigerator
  
• Rolling desk chairs
  
• Office Supplies
  
• Kitchen & Restroom Supplies
  

Again, we hope you will join us, your candidates, and your public officials this weekend for the fun and festivities at our new East End Campaign Office, so we can build momentum to Turn Texas Blue.See you there!

Marina N. Hernandez-Quiroz

East End Field Organizer

713 926-1334

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.

I would think it would be on the west lot across Broadway Blvd. from the theater location. It's actually a pretty large lot. It's closer to the cemetary. GoogleEarth would show you a good image. Can you verify, Fez?

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.

In all honesty, I wish they would go ahead and finish what they started 38 or so years ago, build a frwy straight into the East End. Majority of the old businesses and old homes around that area are not worth saving. They are not of any historical significance unless people consider beer dives mounments. This new Spur could enter right into Lawndale and split like they did over around U of H. I will strike up the band to commence the grand opening of this imaginary new Frwy.

PS, be sure to read the first post on this topic. Like a scene from "High Plains Drifter".lol

Tumbleweed rolling around, etc.

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.

In 2009, the area in Houston's East End known as Magnolia Park or Magnolia, as we know it today, will complete 100 years of existence when it was declared a municipality in 1909. I have heard that there are celebrations in the works to honor the centennial. It has been suggested that Magnolia Park receive a Texas historical marker to honor the community.

I am a member of the Harris County Historical Commission which oversees the county's historical marker program. I have completed historical marker projects for a few subjects including the historic Harrisburg-Jackson cemetery located off of Bowie St. and Lawndale St. near Milby High School.

Born and raised in Magnolia, it would be my honor to mentor a private effort to get the community a historical marker. Are there any interested groups willing to sponsor this project?

The effort to get a marker should begin soon so that it can be unveiled for the centennial celebration.

As I think of the marker, I wonder where it should be installed in the community? Perhaps it can stand as Magnolia Park's original City Hall at Avenue F and 73rd St. Or maybe it can stand in one the area's City parks or at one of the community's entrances.

I lived on Magnolia street for a couple of months. What was on broadway before the 90's? Past the underground rr crossing near gordons(which appears to have closed.) I know a majority of the area has been leveled. The way the buildings look it appears there was a bunch of stores in the area. I had a friend that live in one of the "stores" after they closed. It was weird.

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?

One thing you and other southeast Houston history aficionados may enjoy is an article about the interim NASA buildings throughout SE Houston. It should be in the upcoming UH magazine called Houston History. The whole edition will be about NASA. I worked on the Ambox building history for the book, but was amazed at how many of the dozen or so other buildings used by NASA that are still around today. That St. Austin Center on Wayside next to Villa de Matel, a Quonset hut shaped building on the UH campus, the Robert's Carpet building on 45 feeder by Canada Dry Street, and an old two story building across from Palm Center were just a few of the buildings I have seen forever, but didn't know they were old NASA buildings too.

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.

An east end institution appears to be on the verge of closing.

Mt. Carmel

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/

unfortunately many people are not familar with the central park area and call it magnolia.

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

In 2009, the area in Houston's East End known as Magnolia Park or Magnolia, as we know it today, will complete 100 years of existence when it was declared a municipality in 1909. I have heard that there are celebrations in the works to honor the centennial. It has been suggested that Magnolia Park receive a Texas historical marker to honor the community.

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.

Hello everyone, I have searched this site for info. on the house in Country Club Place that has a historical marker. I sits at 6328 Country Club Place St. Does anyone have info. on it?

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

Thanks for your kind words and helpful suggestions. As I read your ideas, I realize that the Magnolia Park City Hall building at 7301 Avenue F should be declared a Registered Texas Historical Landmark. I will pursue this project as well.

Can someone provide me a history of the building? I understand that the City of Houston currently owns it. It looks like it is still in very good shape.

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 imagine only the church remains now? Just curious. Havent seen a photo of this church in decades.

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.

^Can you still buy it at the visitor center downtown? and a web site would be great!

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 not sure of the protocol on mentioning a book that is for sale on the forum, but, if possible, I did want to let forum members know of my southeast Houston history book that was finished being printed last month. See www.telephoneroadtexas.com for more info. It is a start in doing more to document the important and interesting people and events in often overlooked southeast Houston. I grew up in Gulf Meadows near Telephone and Fuqua and went to Mt. Carmel High School and UH. I am 34 years old and had no idea of so many interesting things that had happened in the area, most before my time. I would guess there are plenty of forum members who are also surprised at really amazing things they come across in Houston history. A lot of cool things I came across are on the website and looked at in more detail in the book. I don't know of any other southeast Houston history books so wanted to let people know that it is out there if interested. Thanks, Burton Chapman

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!

We have established a website: www.conrad-kirksey.com - We have some photos there. Maybe you know some of those individuals or can provide some information about the photo(s). We'll be adding more photos and information as time goes by.

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?

In 2009, the area in Houston's East End known as Magnolia Park or Magnolia, as we know it today, will complete 100 years of existence when it was declared a municipality in 1909. I have heard that there are celebrations in the works to honor the centennial. It has been suggested that Magnolia Park receive a Texas historical marker to honor the community.

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)

Great job on documenting Houston's historic cemeteries! I have been monitoring your efforts for years now on the website.

I would like to share some information on the Harrisburg-Jackson cemetery, an African-American cemetery located in southeast Houston at 7700 Bowie. Arguably, it may well be the oldest surviving African-American cemetery in Houston. It dates back to before 1864. When we researched the cemetery for a historical marker that stands there now, we came across a county land deed that mentions it. On May 12, 1864, the Buffalo Bayou, Brazos, and Colorado Railway Company sold 10 acres to a local rancher in Harrisburg named Prosper Laborde. The 10 acres included "a part of the grave yard."

Please post this information on your website.

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.