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Gulfgate mall was built in 1956 and was not enclosed. Meyerland Plaza followed in 1957 and also was not enclosed. The first enclosed mall was Sharpstown in 1961. Some time in the mid 60s, Gulfgate was closed in. I remember walking around and noticing that they still had the drains in the middle of the floor of the mall areas.

There was a Sage store at the corner of the Katy Freeway and West Belt (now Beltway 8). Later it became some kind of weird flea market - very seedy. It was closed for years and I think it has finally been torn down. There was a Globe on Gessner across from Memorial City. It was torn down and Oshmans was built in the spot. I'm not sure what's there now - it may be part of Memorial City Hospital - sorry, Memorial Hermann.

My old house on Holt Street was torn down a few years ago to build one of those "McMansions." When we moved away in 1960, my dad couldn't give the house away. He rented it out for two years and finally traded it to a contractor for remodeling on our new house. I used to ride my bike to Evergreen park to swim and have picnics. In 1991, Horn Elementary had a 40 year reunion. I saw my sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Seward, and Miss Womack, the former principal.

I lived in Bellaire from 1950 to 1960 (ages 2 to 12) and went to Horn Elementary on Pine Street. One of my fondest memories was going to the Bellaire Theater on Saturday mornings. They had a kiddie matinee every Saturday. It cost a quarter to get in and popcorn was a nickel. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, they would have an all-cartoon show. My friends and I would go almost every weekend. Our mothers would take turns driving and would leave us there and pick us up later. I'm sure it was like a zoo. I remember kids running up and down the aisles. Is anyone else from Bellaire? I'd love to hear your stories.

There was also a Brittain's Broiler Burger across the street from Memorial City. They had a large, slow-moving, merry-go-round in the center. Children could sit and eat on horses with built-in trays. We used to go there in the late 60s and early 70s.

I got them from the Harris County Library. You can order them online and they will send them to your nearest branch.