Vertigo58

It's surprising that the row of apts (on stilts) near the north side of Howard are still there. These are the ones right behind the once was a barbecue place right on the RR tracks.

PS, that barbecue was soooo delicious all you had to do was pull over order, get to go or eat on the wooden picnic tables. Now under new management I think.

I simply couldn't resist the temptation.

Here is the trailer to one of the most successful blockbuster films ever shown at the Tower circa 1974-75. As mentioned on related Tower Theater topics, we kids used to even ride the bus to the theater just to see this epic. The lines/crowds wrapped around the block in both directions. Even more amazing in the evenings! We must have seen it at least 15 plus times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOg6KkoM_cs

Historicaerials.com shows that the Windmill Lakes sandpits (between Kingspoint and Almeda-Genoa) were started sometime between 1957 and 1964.

The apartments were built sometime after 1981 (but not long after, from my memory.)

Even without looking at the historic aerials, there are a couple of indications that the lakes weren't dug just for the apartments: first, the apartments were built before storm water detention was required, and second, the sheer size of the lakes compared to the size of the apartments. The economics aren't there to dig lakes of that size without some kind of serious revenue or other benefit to compensate. Lakes are pretty, but there's not enough of a financial premium from renters to justify the expense.

In any event, I don't believe sandpits are ever filled with anything other than groundwater or possibly trash (landfills).

Do you recalll ever seeing some people jet skiing in it? I could swear I saw some frolicking about. Windmill Lakes was known for having mostly single's then early 80's.

I wonder what became of the other sand pits off Mykawa?

I grew up in Beverly Hills, and recall an apartment complex being built in the early 80's (?) called the Windmills (?) that was built around a lake. First time I'd ever seen something like that. Seemed pretty damned innovative at the time, even to an 8-year old.

My parents told me that the lake was an old sandpit. I wonder if it's the same one.

I believe this was off of Almeda-Genoa near Rowlett.

That would be Windmill Lakes. That was a very innovative, state of the arts new complex that Houston was very proud of in its hey day. We "young-uns" would pass by and be amazed at what new design our city was in store for. Mostly young professionals resided there (imagine that now) I cannot think of the developer that has now enveloped the area but all of that was wooded I mean wooded. We wonder why the area floods so badly now Doyyyy.

I honestly do not believe it was a sand pit ever. That was a manmade built lake strickly for Windmill Lakes. Unless I am corrected by someone. We still know good old family friends that live at end of Radio Rd/street near by and they would know.

There used to be a huge sandpit/lake just outside the Beverly Hills subdivision (off Kingspoint). I remember that there were frequent drownings there in the late 1960's, early 1970's. I'm just wondering if they ever filled that hazard up.

Whoah! You are the first person to bring up Houston's old sand pits! Should get an award!

We used to pile in the gang and head to the one out by or off Mykawa Rd somewhere? It may have been even further out by Almeda Road good Lord I can't even remember. This was in early 80's though. There was always a big mix of assorted crowds, mostly hippies hanging on to the 60's flower power era, motorcycle gangs ie; Bandido's, Hell's Angel's and more, even nudists on ocassion! What!

Seldom did you ever see cops around these places at least not where we went. Some of the pits had a middle island where you could swim out to them. People used to take loads of brew and the scent or aroma of Wacky weed always filtered about.

I assume most have been filled in since those days. This topic should go to Houston History ....really.

We never thought of taking a camera either but I am sure some out there have some hidden in the archives.

Like my old 80's party hat used to read...Party til ya Puke!

That was a great response up above!

However, try speaking to former Madison High School alumni and I bet that have so much more info than the rest of us other other neighborhood pals.

My 1st girlfriend & her school mates would have all the inside skinny on such knowledge. Astroworld was in their backyards.

This years them was a tribute to Las Vegas. It was surreal!

http://www.fiestaflambeau.org/Photos.htm

Starts around 8:00PM to ?

Go early for best parking!

The recent Craig's List murder comes to mind.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30314735/

and here is another superfreak:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBSX6ieoMy0...feature=related

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscr...cle_1467313.php

Online stalking is on the rise big time as well.

Thanks for the pictures! My grandfather designed this building so I'm glad to see it's still standing. I hope to go by and see it when I get to Houston later this month. Thanks again!

Best to hurry, could be gone any day.

I wonder if they removed the huge glass cabinets loaded with trophys as soon as you enter in the vestibule area? maybe had to dismantle or were built in. I have to see my pics from 2 years ago. We always had the silent auction tables directly in front of them.

Not sure all I know is that your avatar is killer, just outrageously hilarious!

Hats off to the staff at the Park Place Post Office on Broadway.

These folks are top notch on customer service big time! Very professional and helpful and so down to earth! Truly harks back to they way Park Place used to be. We prefer using this facility any day opposed to the Lawndale local.

This is just a very popular tune that was heard in the era of Houston's Clubs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSJzxfHD_lo

Here is a great website with good pictures of the disaster aftermath.

http://www.palaciosbeacon.com/carlapixs1.html

I joined up just to try to find a picture of that flying saucer sign or complete drive inn, I remember my parents driving us kids by it all the time.In later years it was a car dealership and right across the street was a daycare with a boat in the yard , Now its serving duty as a taqueria and it's on 238 winkler rd, It was on the sw corner of galveston rd/hwy3 and Winkler drive .Here is what it looks like now on google maps. If anyone ever finds a old picture please let me know.

ex flying saucer drive in

here it is on historic aerials flying saucer drive in

The little alien driver was hilarious! We kids always wanted to climb up on top and try to pull him out and replace him with us. I am not sure when it was removed though. The links were not able to open at least for me?

I saw a photo from 1961 that shows the rose garden intact, so the arrival of the fountains can now be narrowed down to the 1961-1964 timeframe.

Now that is interesting and makes sense. One day our kindergarten class took a field trip to the museum & Hermann Park and I recall us kids going gaga as we passed those fountains so they must have been fairly new (this was in 1966). They always had that modern 60's look too.

Seperately:

If any one can divulge what year the Sam Houston statue was placed there, who created it, etc that would be great.

What a shame...that place held so much East End history. Just kills me to see so many fall.

Yes that is like OLD MAJOR East End History, however, please note that this part of town was considered very scary especially by late 70's. Although it is thought of as "historic" the area would be the worse place you might imagine. The joke then was all "the boys " are headed to "Boyd's or Chencha's" as it was known then...had become very hardcore red light district area...sorry folks but true.

Some things are best to be gone.

heh, mine was green http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...showtopic=20086

I voted once from home and once from the office. should I vote from other computers in the office too? hmmm

A million THANKS! we need more positive input from everyone!

We love ya!

It depends on the neighborhood. Some deed restrictions require architectural approval, while others only "recommend" or "encourage" it, and then some restrictions only regulate land use. If you buy in a deed-restricted neighborhood, make sure you get a copy of the deed restrictions, and read them carefully before you close.

As always, THANK YOU Dan for such a responsible and mature response to OUR GROUP of neighbors question. Please note (usual Haif Trolls) that I speak for most of my elderly neighbors that have no voice, hence we type these questions for them. There are good people in this world.

Holy Name closing by the end of this month per ABC 13 moments ago, depressing.

School opened in 1926 and Spokespersons state enrollment to date was up by 5 1/2%. This will be a bad blow to the local area for all concerned. These nabes need all the support & help they can get.

This church itself is very iconic of this immediate area.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metrop...an/6250005.html

The archdiocese decided to shutter four Catholic Schools

* Holy Name School, K-8 (Northside Village area) will flat-out close

* Our Mother of Mercy, K-8 (Fifth Ward), will merge into St. Francis of Assisi, K-8

* St. Charles Borromeo, K-5 (Northline Mall area), will merge into Seton Catholic Junior High School, 6-8

* St. Philip Neri, K-5 (Sunnyside/South Park), will merge into St. Peter the Apostle Middle School, 6-8

The Charles Borromeo school is already being housed at Seton because of Ike damage to the Borromeo campus (which is not that far from Seton).

Holy Name closing by the end of this month per ABC 13 moments ago, depressing.

Drove by yesterday and noticed that renovations are already underway.

You mean at those funky apts right? The vicious cycle will continue. Not sure how many here remember when Country Club Place had to place a brick wall at some locations so that crowd would have to go around. It was very effective...for a while, then activists bitched, wall came down, and the crime wave boomed, yes boomed. The battle rages on. CC Place has some work in store.

There's something blowing in the wind...Oy Vey.

It simply amazes me how these people get away with this type of crime, right in front of cameras, etc.

Yet once a Metro cop ticketed me for parking about 2 inches too far off a stripe on the metro park area lot. We was determined to write the ticket. See crime stoppers website & see if he matches up. You would be surprised how stupid they are.

Just wonder if anyone has ever been to this great event?

http://www.fiestaflambeau.org/

The Flambeau Parade has been called America