cowboybud

I remember Mountain Park well, but it wasn't at 6-10/ I-10, it was at 6-10 and 59 - across 6-10 from the old Houston Post building. I think I went a couple of times from 2nd-4th grade (early-mid 80's). I remember that the hill at that time was not ice, but that you went down either in bags or dry sled like things (it's hazy as it's been a long time). I just remember going down the hill fast. I also remember the ball pit now that you mention it and I remember doing cool crafts there. I think I went on a field trip and for a birthday party during those years. I'm not sure when it closed, but I know the hill was there for quite awhile - maybe used for something else later on. So, yes there are others that remember that place - you are not alone.

There was a small ampitheatre there for a while; kind of a mini-Woodlands, except with reserved seating in the back and the lawn/moshpit up front.

As a side note does anywone remember which UHF station began broadcasting Texas Ranger baseball games in Houston in the early 70s (it wasn't 16 I don't think)? For several years you had a nightly Rangers baseball game on TV in Houston and about only about one Astro game per month televised on Sundays!

I believe it was Channel 39 that did the Rangers games in the 1970s. I don't remember ever seeing any night games, seems as if they were only weekend day games.

Channel 2 did the Astros games in the early and mid 1970s and they might show at most at game or two a week and only road games. Usually it was the weekends with an occasional weeknight game in the summer. I remember watching a weeknight 1975 Astros-Braves game (back when the Braves had Hank Aaron and that cool uniform with the stylized feather on the sleeves). There might have been 300 people in the stands.

Channel 39 had Rangers games well into the 80s, usually either a late west coast game, or on weekends. Gaylord Broadcasting owned Ch. 39, and the Rangers, and Channel 11 in DFW who originated the game broadcasts (occasionally someone at channel 39 would fall asleep at the controls and let a station ID for KTVT slip through).

There was a Furr's on I-45 between West Rd. and Aldine Bender for years, it finally closed a few years ago (it was the last major tenant in a mostly vacant strip center).

Where is/was this?

I wanna say Holcombe at Main. Near the old Oilers practice field (unless I'm thinking of something else).

Friday Nights at the Coliseum. I lived in First Ward and my dad would take us there every friday to see the matches.

DO NOT....THROW ANYTHING....INSIDETHESAMHOUSTONCOLISEUM....YOUWILLBEARRESTED.

Good times.

3. Is there any documentation that could indicate which performers played there?

The Beatles' only Houston performances were at the Coliseum.

According to the book Elvis in Texas, Elvis played the Coliseum for two shows (matinee and evening, commonplace in those days), 10/13/56.

The old General Cinema theme! If ever there were a piece of music permanently imprinted on my brain, that's it. I spent many happy hours in the Northline General Cinema (recently razed after having been closed for many years) when I was a kid, starting from the very first movie I ever saw there at the ripe old age of 4, ICE STATION ZEBRA.

General Cinema had several theaters in Houston over the years - off the top of my head, the Meyerland, Gulfgate, and Northline ones, then later the Galleria ones inside the mall. I'm sure there were others, but I don't have a list at hand right now. Long after the original Meyerland GC closed, the new one was built. It was the last GC theater in Houston, and changed ownership several more times before finally closing to make room for the center's further expansion a few years ago. It wasn't as popular as some other multiplexes because it didn't have stadium seating, but it had a tremendous sound system and the projection was always perfect. When it closed, I drove over there to take some pictures of the marquee and the building, only to be spotted by a roving security guard and asked to leave the property.

All the General Cinemas that I'd been to (Greenspoint, Willowbrook, Northline, original Meyerland) all had the same red and blue color scheme and the same red and white seats. At some point in the 90s, they did come up a new version of their "coming atrractions" that was more orchestral and less 70s/cheesy.

I ate once at that Shakey's and it was on Crosstimbers, not Cavalcade (easily mistaken, done it myself).

Speaking of pizza places, I came across an ad from 1974 for Straw Hat Pizza. Ate at the one on Airline at West Road.

Was this in the Safeway/Eckerd's center? I don't remember it, must not have been around long.

At long last I've finished my history of the Aldine Mustangs football team. If you would like a pdf, PM me or send your request to aldinefootball@sbcglobal.net.

I have two versions available. The comprehensive version contains the scores and standings from 1936 to 2006, as well as a timeline of the history of the current Aldine High School/Airline Drive area. It's a large file (6.5 MB), so if you're on dialup and want this, you might want to consider using a file-sharing service such as yousendit.com.

There's also a 1 MB football-only version.

Either of these are free for the asking and I'm only too happy to share the fruits of my research with anyone interested.

I had a chance to go through some of the stuff today....wow. Excellent job, Mark. Brought back a lot of memories. I graduated in '85, so we've probably crossed paths a few times back in the day.

Not to offend those tired of hearing about Willams/Bush/Young, but the Saints earlier today clinched a playoff spot (even though they lost). The Titans won today and are 7-7, and their playoff hopes are very much alive since they beat the Jaguars.

They would have to win out (at Buffalo and at home vs. New England), and several other scenarios would have to play out for the Titans to make it in. It was too little, too late for 'em this year.

The Saints did clinch the NFC South today due to Carolina losing. Who else clinched a playoff spot today? >

With all the so called experts saying Houston appears to be the perfect whipping boy for the Pats. I am getting a funny feeling there may be an upset in Gillette Stadium. Mark my words, it will not be a blowout by the Pats, they may even get their hat brought to them!

I agree, the 33 point margin was much closer than I expected. Solid effort by the Texans. I'm told they're already working on David Carr's bust in Canton.

If you think the Texans will reach .500, you should get your head out of Uranus.

pwned

Let's see, winning championships you say...?

Rockets 2 NBA championships

Mavs 0

Correct. Although those two years just happened to be the years that M. Jordan was doing his baseball thing. Just stating a fact.

Astros 1 NL championship

Rangers 0 AL championships

Well, if you count league/conference championships, the Cowboys have 8 NFC championships. And if you go to the World Series and get swept, does it really count?

Texans 0 championships in 4 years

Cowboys 5 championships in 45 years

Plus, 30-odd Oiler seasons with no championships.

Houston Aeros 1 IHL, 1 AHL

Dallas Stars 1 NHL championship

Minor league. Who can forget those thrilling games against Manitoba and Grand Rapids?

Houston Dynamo 1 MLS championship

FC Dallas 0 MLS championships

Soccer only counts as a sport in Mexico and Katy.

Houston Comets 4 WNBA championships

Dallas 0 <no WNBA team>

WNBA

Other than the Cowboys, it seems we lead in all categories (10 vs. 6). Give us 45 years and we'll talk again.

In 45 years, I'll be dead and the Texans will still suck.

Include only actual championships and take away soccer, minor league sports and the WNBA and it's Metroplex 6, Gallery Furnitureplex 2.

You can host em',we'll play in em'.

Indeed. All anyone remembers about SB38 was Janet Jackson's boob.

HOW 'BOUT DEM COWBOYS?!!!!!!!!!!!!

o.k., in an effort to keep my post on topic. . .did the Oilers ever played on Thanksgiving day?

BUT, before you answer. . . HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS?!!!!!!!!!

Hell yeah! If we beat the Giants, I think we can go all the way. Romo is awesome. >

34-6

In case you forgot.

That's sad. I remember it being a lot bigger when I was a kid.

Yeah, it was before mine too. I looked it up at the public library as part of my research on the football team.

Hey, just wondering...was last night's 50-0 loss the worst in Aldine history? I don't remember them taking a beating like that in my lifetime.

I do remember one on Bingle near Longpoint (next to the Dairy Queen) near where my grandmother lived. I haven't been around there in years, so I don't know what's there now.

There was a Food Lion in Sugar Land on the corner of Eldridge & Jess Pirtle. I think it's Gerlands now but could be wrong about that.

There was also one on W. Airport west of Kirkwood that turned into a school or something like that.

I work in this area...the former Food Lion on Eldridge is now a Food Town.

I grew up in Greenridge North and went to Aldine High School (woulda been cooler to go to "Alamo High", though).

Great stuff! Hard to believe that area really was just "cow pasture".