Subdude

You know, I can appreciate that those guys are hoping that the Rising Star idea will evolve into a tradition and the Central Time Zone bellwether for New Years, and I wish them luck, but I can't help thinking that the star is a little....trite. So here's my idea: Resurrect Bubba the Neon Roach from storage, and raise him up the side of the building instead. It would look like he was scaling the wall, kind of like the neon cockroach version of King Kong. Now I can almost guarantee that using Bubba instead of a star would get us that nationwide media coverage! Happy New Year everyone!

Is this still a go? The lot was cleared, and there are a couple of piles of dirt sitting on it, but there doesn't appear to be any actual construction going on.

Looks like the site work is progressing and some of the streets have been closed off. A sign on the property refers to it as "Camden Bagby Square". I'm assuming it's another mega-apartment complex.

Sorry, now it's the Great Southwest Life building. Don't you work there? I asked someone in the management office once but they didn't know what I was talking about. I think the Mad Driver was on the front of the garage, top left. There's a spot there where it looks like it could have gone.

A relief called "The Mad Driver" is pictured in a couple of the Fuermann books. Does anyone out there know what ever became of this? If it had become a "faithful symbol" it seems odd that it would have been totally forgotten.

Well that's nice. I think tonight we should all drink a toast to our friends in the Big D. Thanks for posting!

A little gaudy maybe, but nothing wrong with that. Gives it some color. It's been that way for so long it must be kind of a landmark for the city by now.

To me the most surprising item on that list was that there were only 144 miles of paved roads! Probably most of those were in the largest cities, which means that most of the country must have had none. That's just amazing.

It kind of makes sense when you see it. There is a gigantic blank wall facing north over the bar area that they they can use as a screen and a backdrop for the star. When I was there earlier they were rigging up the hoist. I'm wondering how well the rising star idea will catch on.

Sevfiv you're a lot better at breaking and entering than I am. Tried to check it out, but security chucked me out. Here it is in better days. In addition to the air conditioning, the other amenities listed on the back are circulating ice water and combination tub and shower. Hard to imagine that's the best they could come up with.

Looks like I heard wrong. That site shows it as a toll road all the way south to Alvin. Which begs the question: who would pay to go to Alvin? It's really hard to see how traffic could ever justify this project. If it ever happens, it will probably be more in the way as a gift for developers and road construction companies.

Exactly.

A few years ago it was purchased, by the same developer as the Stowers Building. At the time they said it would probably be redeveloped into residential, but I don't think anything will come of it.

Last I heard was that the Alvin Freeway had been scaled back so that it would only extend to BW8 South. That part of town never grew to the extent that was predicted when the freeway system was planned, so the demand for the freeway hasn't been there.

There is a "Weird Texas" book out as well.

That night photo is great! My biggest complaint with the Dallas skyline is that the Bank of America building never looks quite right with a flat top.

Interesting article. Somehow I never think of dry conditions as being a problem in Houston; more the opposite.

Here. Keep it on topic so the thread doesn't have to be closed please.

I get excited about it just reading DJ's posts. I would like to see MLS suceed, but I'm leery of them overdoing it in terms of expectations, stadia, or team expansions. They can make money, but they're going to remain a niche sport for the foreseeable future. You are right they need exciting announcers and local media support.

On the old Bob Bailey site there are photos of the South Main Amusement Park. I'm guessing it was adjacent to the South Main drive-in because you can see an outdoor theater marquee in the background of some of the shots.

Did it ever go by another name? I couldn't find it on Cinematreasures or any other references.

Once again thanks for great pictures. I just drove up there the other day to check it out, but I didn't realize you could get inside. Great interior.

I would love to go to the one in Detroit, it just never has worked out. The Houston show is good for a market this size, but I always wonder if it would have more concepts etc. if it were during a different time of year. We tend to get the show cars from the previous year.

Well, if that's what it takes, what of it? It's the oldest technique in criminal justice.