Vertigo58

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!"

I remember a castle-like house in Sagemont when I was a kid. It was between Hughes and 45 off of Old South Belt. I need to go back and see if it is still there.

The Lego Pic really cracked me up!

I think this house is at least original! Better than a lot of the new stuff we see around.

Jason

Talk about desperate living!

Appears as if Ed Wood filmed one of his classic cult films there. It would be a great backdrop for the Renaissance Festival. Places some wenches in the windows with beer mugs in hand calling out to prospective lovers! It also looks like a movie set from the old MGM studio lot. Maybe theres a fire-breathing dragon out back somewhere? Lets see a mote would be a great added amenity. Alligators could be guarding the place.

I still have my old lego's blocks I should create one just like it and mail to them! Now we might find a Lincoln-Logs type home soon.

The nice thing about Gulfgate is that you have Lowes as an alternative, which is the only place I go now. Everything seems fine there, but I've never had any large orders to place, just $20-$50 constantly. And no one waves at the car looking for work like they sometimes do at Home Depot. Not a big deal but somehow Lowes manages to keep their parking lot free from that.

I was discussing most of the thread about Home Depot with a friend this weekend. I needed supplies saw a huge mob blocking the lumber exit so we just left. Just like the person said earlier that place is so unorganized and takes forever just for the manager to open the door, etc. Most of the customers in line just stand there gazing into the sky as if in a daze. Kind of like they are used to being treated like moronic sheep. No one even bothers to question why there is only 1 clerk at the register.

We fled to Lowe's I was in and out of there within 10 minutes. I picked up several large pieces of plywood. Had it been H Depot we would have stood in that pathetic line for a loooong time.

The most menacing thing about that Woodridge Home Depot is the male hustlers loitering in front. Call them laborers or whatever but when $ is scarce people resort to scary behavior. It really looks like a scene from Midnight Cowboy. One even looked like Rat's Rizzo! Quite scary when you are getting into your car and you turn around and 1 or 2 of them are standing next to you soliciting. They could as easily rob or stab you. I see them approaching mothers with kid's. Long term fright for children. So Lowe's is the best way to go, not so traumatic.

I always go to Lowes. HD only if I got a gift card or something. I also like the True Value/Ace place (I forget which it is) on Telephone. I've surprised myself many times finding what I wanted at a reasonable price. And I can get in and get out.

I'll have to try the food-a-rama. Rob has been there before because the firefighters shop there. But I have never ventured in. I haven't stepped inside the Gulfgate HEB in probably a year. The last 2 trips before that I walked out and left my basket in disgust. Disorganized, no self checkout and people with a basket full of items clogging up the only open express checkout lane. I'll never understand the layout they choose for their stores either.

My point exactly! I have left my full basket at least twice and had to mentally have to "psych" myself at the entrance into walking in (only out of desperation do I go in there) (HEB Gulfgate). The Food-a-Rama everyone is speaking of is near Glenbrook area next to those old train tracks. this is a real hit a miss store too. My last experiences there were very unpleasant. If we think back 6-8 years ago it was great, still had that old fashioned "we care about the customer atmosphere" and yes there was pleasant elevator music "lightly" playing in the background.

Back to present; when I asked for certain items the clerks couldn't understand English so I had to do a hidden treasure search. The beer joint music was blaring above with tons of hooting & hollering, "Ariba, ariba, andaleee". Hardly enough of the most commonly ordered items not available but there were tons of tortillas, etc.

Getting to the counter the attendant had her hair all wet (pathetic) a ton of bozo-the-clown make-up, never greeted me but kept her focus on the sacker as they talked about last nights American Idol and how she should be on it, then her cell phone rang which she promptly answered and got glued to. I really thought I was on Candid-Camera. Basically, I was tuned out from her radar. She amazingly placed my change on the counter (not in my hand). No Thank you, nothing, more like get lost so I can resume my gangsta-conversation. So in case you have never been to East LA, there it is! Food-a-rama or barrio- rama. Needs to go unless a MAJOR overhaul is done, doubt seriously.

The map from isuredid sure did help in locating a couple of old pictures that show some of the old Grant's that was sandwiched in between Woolworth's and Burt's/Penney's on Main St. These are from the Bailey collection. They are dated 1939, so changes had probably been made from then to others' more recent memories of it.

The soda fountain at Grant's

Unbelievable photo's!

Thank you so much for sharing. I am so glad my mom took us there around Christmas to have our photo taken with Santa. Over our heads is a glittery sign that read "Merry Christmas" and 1965 in small letters underneath. I still recall being nervous and a little scared of course but clearly recall focusing on my mom in front of the crowd waving & saying "smile" There were also many excitied children and their mom's who most had those tall beehive & bouffant hairdoes. Many of the men wore suits & hat's It was sooooo cooool! Very mod 60's for sure.

Even though not part of the mall you can't talk about the Gulfgate and General Cinema area with out mentioning the Carousel Motel. The sign on the freeway side had a carousel that turned on top of it. It was nice in it's prime and then in the early 80s got a bad reputation as haven for prostitutes and drug addicts. In the mid 70s I hung out at the Carousel Club. It was a round night club at the top of the main tower on the 610 side. They had a live band, it was before the disco era. It was finally demolished sometime in the late 80s. I can't remember when, just one day I noticed it was gone.

joe

I recall it had a Carousel theme throughout too. Seemed big must have been built during the 1950's or early 60's maybe because it was in a perfect location for tourists visiting the city because of the new Astrodome, etc? We would go there with groups of friends in the very early 80's to hear the country/rock bands ie: 38 Special type of music and for the very inexpensive brew & free buffet. Rare for it's day in that area. I think it had several pool tables too. That was the days when bars were allowed to advertise "Drink & Drown night" and "Beach Party Blow-Out!" Not to be seen again.

I worked at the Gulfgate Cinema a couple of summers in 70 thru 73. I was working there when M.A.S.H. premiered, also Dirty Harry and McQ.. We traded movie passes for food at the deli by the Weingartens I think it was called Mises'. Later I worked for Joskes at the Post Oak store in the early 80s but would fill in for the Credit Manager at the Gulfgate store when she would go on vacation. My senior ring came from the Zales there. A friend of mine drove a 64 Dart and he would drive it through the tunnel under the mall at night. Ahh memories of our youth.

joe

Fast forward from my original Gulfgate Cinema thread 1972. When the theater had midnight movies in the early 80's thats when it started it real decline. Reason I say is we were with several rows of friends & other local hippies watching Neil Young's "Rust Never Sleeps" when we heard a muffled pop. Didn't think much of it until we saw the exit door swing open as someone fled. Apparently that person didn't like the other one so he shot em! That was to be my LAST time there. It closed shortly after. Quite a contrast from the innocent days. They carried the poor guy to the lobby in a pool of blood in front of the concession stand. We were just stunned. Never got to see the end of the cool film either. Just went ahead and bought the album.

In regards to the Home Depot at Gulfgate I sorta know one of the semi dept managers there. Great guy, great service which you are right is rare but he is also a bit older and an anglo if that has anything to do with it. But anyhow he was telling me of all the problems the store had with the senior Managers. Apparently Home Depot sent in an out of town fix it squad to get the place back in shape. Frankly I have not seen any difference so not sure if it's working or not. This coming from a guy who spends many thousands of dollars at that Home Depot in the past three years. Just spent over $3,000 in the past two weeks there.

Oh yes it also pisses me off when they have to call for the MOD (manager on duty) to open the large overhead door so that the forklift can load up your truck. The MOD has wasted more of my time at that store then anyone else and they aren't friendly.

Scharpe St Guy

My point exactly,

Another reason I drive clear to Fuqua or Pasadena H depots, those are so much better prepared and do it by the book. The way it should be. At least they are professional and courteous. Dont have to beg for assistance.

Companies especially the ones that deal directly with the public have always had good training programs. Basically, when you have a good leader the others perform much better. A good manager makes certain that the workers use basic Yes sirs and yes mam's, please and thank you's.

The managers must get frustrated with the incompetance they have to deal with on a daily basis they must toss in their hats and run screaming. If you had to police and monitor an elementary-minded group of people you would head for the door too. Stats prove that employees in that store barely have a high school diploma if at all. Gotta tell you something when you see 40 something year old men stocking shelves that appear as if they just came out of TDC. (and many of them have) I used to work at The Worksource and prisons normally send their recently released to places like Home Depots for work.

Ok, now someone will get mad at me again, oh well truth is the truth. Like Popeye's says "Gotta Love it"

I was exploring Idylwood the other day, and noticed that I could hear the traffic from I-45, no matter where I was in the neighborhood. Is the noise level always like this, or is it diminished in the summer when the trees have leaves?

Speaking of Idylewood; Can anyone give an update on Sylvan street the part near that hideous mini-store with the bad gasoline @ Wayside/Sylvan? There was a confirmed truth that one of those old brick apt bldgs behind it had several ghouls using it as a morgue.

Serious! They had several refrigerated trucks freezing bodies so they could later "prepare" them for funerals, etc. We had some people keeping updates as to wether the city was able to run them out of there or put them in prison or hatever. That riff-raff is against the law not supposed to be in a residential area at all.

It was kinda scary driving along and seeing those fish freezer trucks idling there with hoses running into the apt. Surprised we didn't see Lurch standing there, "You rang"? Ughhhhh.....

Glad I live across the T border (Wayside) so I cant have nightmares thinking about it. Can't you just see Marvin Zindler kicking in the door or opening up thier trash cans to take a peek! Blimey old chap!

I think, I'm pretty sure there is one @ Lawndale and 75th. In the shopping strip where the Fiesta Grocery store is. Good Luck!!

There is a pretty decent one behind Denny's over by (cringe) Gulfgate. It is next to a Shipley Donut's and the good part is they don't DESTROY your clothes like the one across from the Eastwood Transit Center. I wouldn't send my worse enemy there! I had a brand new Tux I regret taking there. They tore the whole zipper off she said becasue they used a dryer? Your not even supposed to place this material in a freaking dryer. Of course there was no apology. They sewed it back up but the fact was they should have paid for a new pair for me. Should have got Marvin Zindler involved but I get so exausted with the customer service in our area it's as if I deserved it. I would make sure the owners wherever you go at least seem half way intelligent. Not like the imbecils where I went.

Someone needs to record this or write a book. So much history!

I also remember (not GAY, but neat) restaurant called "Harry's", the Happy Buddha, the Galleon, and Rascals.

Here's a good one for whomever can recall if there was a placed call "The Midnight Sun"? and what about

Club La'dour? I think it was a only for women place near where #'s still is (across the street).

In addition, can anyone confirm what became of all those beautiful Victorian homes as Elgin turned into lower Westheimer? I have a good feeling they met the blasted wrecking ball. AAAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Tell me they were relocated?!?!

There is a 1 1/2 story colonial back there with dormer windows, mostly hidden from the street, way back on the cul-de-sac on Hayes st. I think that is the house. It is still there. The street it is on is actually very nice.

The only house I recall being given that name on a broad scale here in Houston was a historic mansion near corner of W Gray & San Jacinto somewhere. It was always referred to as "The Witch Hat" house because it had a far-out pitched roof over an extended porch that resembled a witch's hat. I saw it many times just fading away and into a complete shambles and of course Houston demolished it what else? So much for preservation.

I just have to say this is one of the funniest things i've ever read! To say the music of Mexico is mainly about boozing, infidelity is just not true. Then to say music from Brazil/cuban, etc IS about love and affection is not true. All music genres have music about falling in and out of love. Also music brazil, cuba, etc is not all mambo, samba, etc.

ANY song whether in English or Spanish can have a latin beat.

It amazes me how easily offended some of us are getting. If you read the comment regarding the music; there is no mention of MEXICO. Time for a mental margarita everyone.

I am glad however that someone mentioned its best to direct the music situation right at the management, via in person & via email to the corporate offices. This always works. We have had to speak up to head offices at Home Depot (Gulfgate) because of their lousy customer service. That location has to be one of the worse in the state. Notice the high turn over rate of employees. Everyone jumps ship. There have been several confirmations of very common shoplifting there; inside jobs too. If you are lucky enough to grab an employee they always say, I'm too busy, not my dept, I just started and those are the ones that speak English. If you are a glutton for punishment and mind games and mental anguish shop in Gulfgate area. Bottom line.

Just like Rodney Dangerfield said " I don't get any respect" and he didn't even live in the hood! Wish he had though we could have hung out!

The Gulfgate Cinema across the 610 frwy was really nice, I recall seeing the "original" Poseidon Adventure there many times that marks it at about 1972. Theater very nice/clean kept up. Families would line up all the way across the bridge to the mall. Screen was shaped as a huge curve all white appeared as if you could step into heaven. This is when Cinerama & Cinemascope were the big deal way before "wide screen" was even a phrase. I worked at Wilson's Jewelers dept store directly across. Large contemporary store with quality items. Joske's Dept was at the other end. Weingarten's grocery was at west end, I recall there was a guy (that worked at checkout) that all the girls were crazy about because he had a very Rod Stewart hair style. There was a of the very convenient & inexpensive Piccadilly Cafeteria used to pack em in. One of the women's clothing store had several models that would get in the display window and act like mannequins. The crowds would gather waiting to see her move and she seldom ever did. When you least expected it she would jump at you the crowd would flip out! Great publicity for the store though. There was always a Santa of course. Then there was the now legendary Bowling Alley downstairs beneath the record store. It was huge and very mod 60's. The best part of the mall was that it was created on a huge man-made hill. Way ahead of it's time as far as innovation so if there was flooding you were always safe on this big hill. There were and always will be shoplifting and car thefts but nothing as wide spread as today. Anyway I am gald to say I knew the area in its prime. I wonder what happended to all the cool friends I made while working there. Our cigarette buts are scattered under the rubble somewhere near the old bridge (this is where most of the teens would hide out to take a puff or 2) Thats the way it was. I am sure there are many with similar endearing memories!

I shop at that HEB from time to time, the only REAL complaint about the music I have is that I would like GOOD mexican/latin music and at a lower volume. As far as the volume goes, I have that issue with other HEB's and other chains as well.

Some of the stuff that they play offends me as just being bad music. If they would just pick better latin/mexican music, I'd be okay with that.

one can only hear Mariachi music for so many times in a row!

Great response,

I actually enjoy the occasional 80's new wave stuff, brings back great memories.

An earlier response seemed on the defensive when the Spanish music was described as low class. Next time you hear it; try to listen to the lyrics (hopefully you are fluent) if not ask someone with what the singer is saying. The songs are about boozing, infidelity, cheating and so on. Seldom about love/affection. Not exactly what I would want my children to be hearing as we shop. Some time they are hooting & hollering like drunks do in cantina's. That's what was meant by a lower class of music not the fact that it is Spanish music. It would be fantastic if they kept Latin music and used sounds of Brazil/South America/Cuban ie; Samba, mambo etc. better quality sounds. Houston has never had good radio period. It would cool if they played German, Italian etc since we are considered an Intn'l city? For those that have travelled to other cities like San Jose or San Diego, Ca. those airways play so much more quality music of all types. Houston never seems to catch on. Still in the past. Sorry to hurt any ego's but it's true. Cheers!

Sharpie, you might want to contact your Super Neighborhood council, which I would think would be Eastwood. They'd have the loudest voice to get stuff like sidewalks done.

Speaking of sidewalks, had it not been for our years of asking for new sidewalks on 1400 block of Munger it never would have been done. And if you think having Mr Trevino on the next block (HPD) would do any good to assist; think again. We had to go in person to City Hall and voice our concerns to the council. Basically create a rucuss as people like Quannel X do to get it done. Being polite and using fancy words don't always work at least not for low-income areas like this. So we really have several issues, the renters will not step up to the plate because they don't care. Owner's like us either are too busy or assume someone else will "handle the problems". Wrong. Also take in perspective the culture of the area, Hispanic people have for the most part historically not been very proactive or want to "cause trouble". Then our leaders we vote for (council-people) in Eastend once they make a name for themselves usually split town and head to Austin, Tx for greener pastures!

There in lies the problems. I dream of the day we will see an Ice-skating Rink or Olympic sized pool, Bowling alley built around here. Kids in the area would have something to aspire for. Give it some real thought, there is hardly anything in this hood to keep kids out of trouble and focusing on College. Ok, guess you see what I mean.

Thanks Musicman,

I came very very close however not close enough. I was very disappointed when they announced they had pulled it and they opened my bid and the other bid and one of the guys told me mine was the highest. Oh well, other adventures out there but I would have loved to have been on HGTV's Rezoned!!!

Scharpe St Guy

Wow an ice cream place would be awesome!

It would also be fantastic to see an HPD station there, yes, yes, yes! Just having officers very visible all around would deter any if not all riff-raff. I feel like drawing up plans now! They would also be able to aim straight at Triangle Park (as we used to call it) just across the street. Plus they could keep constant vigil on the low-lifes that congregate at the old 7 Eleven store across Telephone Rd. Yes, the porch has already collapsed on Cage school and the cafeteria is or looks gone. I recall the halls were so low we kids could touch the ceiling with our hands. However, my 4th grade classroom on the 2nd floor had high (10 ft) ceilings. I bet the old light fixtures are still there. If you stood at the top of those high stairs you had a great view all around. As you walked in the entrance there was a huge grand staircase immediately in front of you (looked gothic/victorian) as most of the inside was. The library was on the 1st level and was so cozy becasue it once was used to store live cows, yes siree. Way before it was a school of course. When the man landed on the moon we hung our paper Apollo spacecrafts (got free in cereal boxes) on the ceilings of our classroom.

Now I am straying, but yes I hope you pursue or anyone to SAVE this treasure. I subscribe to Old House Journal and restored my home as vintage Victorian over on Sunnyland. Never been happier. The palm trees/bouganvilla I added make it look like it belongs in Cape Cod or Martha's Vineyard.

Good luck with Rufus Cage!

I don't think it's the graffitti because i see that all over town. Many are just afraid of owning an "old" house. I think many of the younger people who would like to own, just dont have the money to own and/or do a major remodel to the home. The lack of retail is pretty bad too. I think it would be irritating to have to drive more than 6 minutes to a grocery store. The convenience factor is lost when you're talking retail. as for spanish speaking establishments, that's just the character of not being part of a chain. the owners have more control and can do what the customers in the area want.

All it takes is people with guts to make something a success. Even on the East side there are success stories.

This chat board gets funny, but I think we strayed from the original subject of old structures in our area.

I forgot to mention and how could I forget! The old Prince's Drive-In restaurant at Cullen and 45! Yummmmm I can still smell the Shrimp Basket and the out-of-this-world onion rings. We used to go there so often we knew all the workers and would play the juke box. Wonder if anyone would have any photos? I was shocked one day I drove by and half the place was torn down. I immediatly stopped and picked up a big plastic (menu) sign from one of the ordering boxes. Cool! See what time does, now that that hugh Catholic Charasmatic place is next door all the families could have been eating there and the place would have bounced back! I am sure there were $ reasons for its demise not to mention the robberies & 3rd world surroundings. Surprised Finger's Furniture is still across the street. They were fortunate to have a resurgence/boom comeback due to the townhomes sprouting up all around.

No which is too bad, most of the lots are sold on the court house steps for unpaid taxes/foreclosure/etc.... Two lots down the street sold at the courthouse within the past year.

Talking to a couple of the older residents of the neighborhood they tell the story of a lady who was married to the old principal of Austin HS. Apparently the two of them bought quite a few homes in Broadmoor and rented them out but did no repairs to any of the properties that they accumulated. I tried contacting her myself but was ignored, I would need to find her name but she is older and owns a lot of land or did two years ago here in Broadmoor.

Niche,

Elgin would make sense for the LRT, hopefully it occurs and the builders start coming in, can't wait.

Scharpe St Guy

There were some people named Lorino and they owned several stores and I think a restaurant in the area. From what I heard the only remaining matriarch of the Lorino's lived at the house right next to the Metro bus transit center 1300 something Munger st. I would walk by the house everyday to ride the bus. I am almost certian she either passed away or got out of Dodge too. Her family owned blocks of homes in the Munger area. Neighbors told me its true.

There is truly something amiss as to why there hasnt been any huge condos or townhomes being placed here. What's hilarious is they are building like mad just on the other side of the freeway by 288/Elgin area. I would feel as if I am living in a prison because it is beautiful inside your condo and once you drive or (if you dare) walk away it is a living hell all around you. Homelessness, drugs, etc. Would be like a big chicken coop with wolves just waiting out side your abode. Still say its the graffitti and Spanish establishments here that scare folks away. Reality folks...

Correction the ... I was at the Flying Saucer last night and it is actually located on the site of the old Mcdonalds on Tx. The sign is on next to the attendant booth north of the St. Germain on Capital. the pictures is located on ths url

http://lh3.google.com/_vTqdpLWFWaQ/RXZci_O...1600/grants.jpg

I am stunned to hear that someone else knows about Grant's! My mom used to take me there to eat hamburgers before going to the dentist around 1966-67. The bus would stop right in front, more or less where the tile on the sidewalk says Grants. How cool! I wish I could find a photo but no such luck even on Google. Please show us all if anyone finds it. I have great memories of that place, had the best toys and the coolest Santa Claus around I do have his picture with my big brother and me. Still tripping!

1968 Dumble street had a Sinclair gas station where Valero now is. We used to fix our bike flats there. There was a U-Totem caddy corner now support beam to park/ride bridge. Dumble alone ahd several grand houses, my friend lived in a Georgian style 3 story on Munger/Dumble had tall elegant columns. I thought it resembled Scarlett O'hara's mansion now a ugy storage business.Leonard's dept store Telephone/Dumble. Too many renovations. Hamburger's 4 for a dollar at burger joint across from Austin H.S. cool outdoor seating. Another elegant huge Queen Ann/Victorian house next to post office on Lawndale. Torn down all left is those sad big palm trees. Chuck Wagon restaurant now that sleezy Stephanies beer joint. Weingarten's very, very convenient grocery on Telephone walking distance, etc. There was a hippie "head shop" as they called them corner of Fourcade/Telephone next door to my old Dr. Ballard's office. Can't forget The Italian Beef House directly under that beautiful electrified neon Coca-Cola sign Telephone/45, we actually got it on film!

That's just a short glimpse and example how Houston forgets it past. Broadmoor truly had a small town feel to it.

What the near East End really needs now is quality retail. Everyone I know gripes about having to drive to other parts of town to shop for clothing, household items, pet supplies, etc. Almeda Mall doesn't hack it. A new Kroger store would do well here. So would Target and Kohl's. We don't need more cheaply-built strip centers, convenience stores, dollar stores, rinkey-dink salons de belleza, tire repair shops. When are developers going to wake up to the fact that we're here, we're culturally diverse and we've got money to spend!

Couldn't have said it better myself.

My family and I still drive all the way to Baybrook Mall to shop and basically feel like I am in the now, not 1975. Our old area your right is overcrowded with cheaply built over night 5 & dime stores, etc. As I mentioned in another reply I roam away just to get decent customer service. The HEB at Gulfgate started out gung-ho but it was quite short lived. You are ignored most of the time and they don't even want to bag your groceries any more. I stopped at an HEB in the Clear Lake area and I thought I was in a dream. The people greeted me as I came in the door and every employee offered assistance, and I was asked to come back as I left? Haven't seen that anywhere in our area in year's, serious. I should have filmed the whole thing. It all goes back to management in these local retail stores, better training, show customers respect. The worst part is the blaring Latino radio being played as you try to shop. People that don't know Spanish don't realize that music is really a real low, low type of music you would only hear in beer joints.

Lawndale would be the best place to start placing a Whataburger, Dairy Queen, Cleaner's, Red Lobster, Malt shop (what?)

Anyone remember The Mustang Maltshop? We really do feel like we are on an island in the middle of nowhere!

No you wouldn't. I guarantee that you already know 80% of what's written in the booklet. The rest is so general that you could probably guess what they're talking about. And the bulk of printed space is comprised of photographs. Many of the photographs don't do an effective job at communicating anything other than that Hispanics live there.

Glad you included that last sentence about the assumption and generalization that its only Hispanics live here. Couldn't be farther from the truth. That title "Hispanic" can be so misconstrued as the media, tabloids, etc. do so often. My neighbors and I get so much junk mail (in Spanish) because the sender assumes if you have a Spanish last name you MUST read/write too. Pure pulp fiction. Hispanic (here in Houston) is normally viewed as low-income, unskilled, & undocumented. Now if you go to any of our sad to say grocery stores see what kind of customer service you get. The cashier can hardly work the register much less greet you. This only emphasizes the stereotype of uneducated Hispanics in our area. There has to be better ways to gather data to these developers is what I am trying to stress (not vent). There are just a hand full of originals like me that didn't flee to the burbs but decided to stick it out. We need help....Divine intervention?

I cannot believe it when I drive by that it is still there! Surprised hasn't become a cantina or taqueria like most of the eyesores near by.

I attended from 68-73 and have wonderful/dear memories of the school. I recall during fire drills we used to actually walk down those steep stairs! I was on the class room directly in that door on 2nd floor. Had fantastic views of Telephone Rd all the way to Gulf Frwy and of downtown! It had a real little neighborhood feel to it. Had a cool little play area compete with swings/slides. We played dodge ball directly under those stairs. The cafeteria served the best soup! I can still smell the aroma. Cost a nickle. We had numerous plays year round on the stage. Quite camp but fun non the less! We had some of the best outdoor festivals. I can still hear the sounds of the of the kids playing and all of the PTA parents gathering to help in the concession booths. Most of the girls looked like Marcia Brady's. It was at the height of 60's after all. It was definetely a time not to be seen again.

I was exploring Idylwood the other day, and noticed that I could hear the traffic from I-45, no matter where I was in the neighborhood. Is the noise level always like this, or is it diminished in the summer when the trees have leaves?

Correct Dan,

The leaves are gone and that is why the noise is louder, its only temp until spring. I prefer cars sounds compared to gunfire anyday. This past New Year's rapid all-night gunfire just took the cake! As long as there are renters and apartment (just passing-through) tenants we all will be under fire. Truth is majority, not saying all are from places where anything goes. I had neighbors that would carry and leave old living room couches on the front yard, set-up bar-b-cues and booze openly day after day, night after night. The cops pretty much gave up after our (neighbors) repeated calls. Got to the point where I was about to join in! When in Rome right! Thats a whole new topic of course.

but yes, freeway sounds any day, bullets no...no...

Musicman,

I too am eager to learn what is going up. I (and all of my family & area friends) are praying it is going to be something of admiration. Example: A high rise office building (miracle), expensive townhome for white-collar people (dream-on). But in all seriousness, we all wanted to do a dance around the bulldozer when it appeared as if by magic that day to tear it down. Those eyesores were so depressing to look at I normally would turn away so I would'nt get pink eye as I drove by on 45. I was a kid working at the Holiday Inn across the street and vividly recall how nice that spot was. Area was really clean and kept up and what? Everyone spoke English? Yes, there actually was once upon a time. We know that as soon as the car dealer lowered and I do mean lowered their prices so did the quality and the clientele. It has been over 3 years since the Neighboorhood Association said there was going to be a huge arch (Welcome to East End) crossing from that corner to where the old Holiday Inn once stood, nothing yet? Just talk. The reason developers/demographics and urban planners overlook the area for something really decent is they do their demographics and see what the income is and say forget it!

If this were Kingwood/Woodlands I assure there would already be an upscale venue being built as we speak. Developers assume all residents are low-income, have minimal English speaking skills and all kids are under-achievers and that crime is rampant.

This I can assure is why East End is constantly being pushed aside for progress.

Well gotta go, bullets are raining overhead again! That's a whole other topic of why police dont post signs for these losers to stop shooting their AK-47's into the Convent area.

Regards!