Vertigo58

The horrible "look" of 1960 is what fuels the doubt about wanting to live there. The zoning or "lack of" is what let the magnificently ugly crammed shopping strips, signs, billboards, and even worse the ditches that lineit for miles. It is even worse at night, most big intersections do not even have readable signs if at all. It was very embarassing to bring clients from out of state to that area but we had to becasue of the nearby airport. 1960 began ugly and the cancer only spread more and more and more. While working weekends at the FEMA recovery center,we always had to ask each person where they were moved to and 90% said 1960 areas hoods. Truth.

I know, but you know how some just pulverize a simple discussion. The article is quite correct...oops guess thats what lit the fuse now. Oh well, it's Friday siesta time...oops! That's offensive to say too...

1960 & 45 Frwy. Sunnyside Nabes around the waterfront / ship channel TSU area ie; Scott street, Cullen ...must see at night if you dare.

You are referring to the very Near Northside as it is/was known. Coincidence, we still know a family that has had the same home for over 60 plus years on Chapman & Lorraine The home they have lived in is of Queen Anne style with a high pitched roof, big front porch, tall interiors and it still has most of the original detail. In fact if you drive very slowly around all of this nabe you will find numerous similar homes complete with gingerbread ornamentation. Many have been remuddled beyond recognition but if you observe or imagine the years of remodeling you can see that it is hiding underneath. See topic under Other Neighborhoods (Northside) where we or I urged people to try to save these relics before development plows them under for eternity. Hopefully someone else can provide the source for the Chapman name. PS, please urge these very friends of yours to start on Haif. This is a very historical area that has been ignored for decades. My dad grew up on Terry Street near Hay's Street from around late 1930's to early 1950's. Most of the old timers will tell you it was once a very clean and quiet area. The area then was mostly non Hispanic too. Good luck and welcome aboard! Here is a mapquest of the somewhat heart of the "Northside" as it was always known at least while I was growing up here in the city. We never called it Ward period, just Northside.

In all seriousness, it would be awesome if the huge cross fell over and crushed a couple of these nasty billboards. Divine intervention? Would make great headlines, etc. and your right too Lock. and someone was correct above somewhere that the $ should be spent on much more sensible structures to help the less fortunate.

It's in today's Chron. The scaled model/image seems absolutely absurd. Yes, we are aware of all the adult billboards along 45 but this "grandiose" structure wont stop it them. While I don't hope a storm topples this thing, it's bound to have serious strutural errors/faults and collapse or sink. (why do I mentally picture lightning striking it often) We may as well build a modern day Tower of Babel so we can climb up (or take an escalator) to the "Pearly Gates".

It did seems like thousands especially on weekends. What it was is that there were so many party goer's and curious drivers slowing to try to make sense of what was going on all around and to try to figure out what they were witnessing. Cars were mostly at a stand still by the time you got to The Tower Theater all the way to where Westheimer turns into Elgin. This is where most party animals would make a turn back and start all over again. That Chicken Coop place was smack on the strip so it was quite unavoidable! How could you not notice? They would place 2-3 barstools outside of the entrance and place a few queens to check ID's as people entered. Some of them normally would smile and just wave back or blow kisses at drivers to freak em out! It would just kill the crowds! Most of the drag's were dressed as their fav idols ala Marilyn Monroe, Tina Turner, Rupaul, even an older one as Baby Jane Hudson! When I mentioned all kinds of people it was everything from hippies, dwarfs, beatniks, belly dancers, Wonder Woman?, nuns, peeping Tom's, porno star's, misfits, and probably wildlife! It certainly rivaled the French Quarter or as we always thought of it as Houston's own version of Hollywood Blvd or Venice Beach!

Here we go again.... Stormy weather is a brewing

Imagine there was a time when that area was safe enough to drive in park and enjoy eating without being hassled? I only knew the Stephen's Drive (formerly Prince's?) which I assumed but never knew. Only knew as Stephen's and I for one never knew there was a Drive In rival? across that very section of Wayside. Veeeeery interesting to know. You all having me thinking of a burger/fries basket now.

Oh you mean like in Sharpstown Mall kind of stores. Don't think so, not here, not in a million years or so.

This is very true! That is why everyone appreciated the fine eating at Prince's. Just as the slogan said "Fit For A King". Phrases like "World famous Deep Fried Shrimp" may have been a little bit of over-advertising but heck it was delicious! In fact they even cooked "Southern Style Fried Chicken" in a basket. I vaguely remember one summer day as we were heading back from the beach the family stopped at a Drive In eatery where they had outside tables to eat, so you could either eat in the car or sit outside with other families and junk. I just remember biting into the great chicken and feeling the outside breezes going by. Very dream like now. Ok now you all have me craving some of that good old fashioned fast food. What about the Coca Cola & Root Beer Float's, Sundae's & Banana Splits they were famous for?

Great (graphic) pup description. I always loved the way some developers build the garage at an angle facing away (sideways) from street views. Perfect! You can have the door open and have privacy from curious on lookers. Never let your guard down though of course, but these sideway deals are awesome. Cujo's are a great addtion as well.

After giving it some thought and by recent events, this may be a good place for a school after all. The constant stream of traffic will highten the need for new developement, especially of retail and food establishments along Lawndale (way overdue). The bright lighting will also hopefully discourage the bad element that hangs out at the car wash across the street. There is a glimmer of hope.

Nostalgia: Wuthering Heights Tara Bedford Falls Peyton Place Future: Xanadu Thunderdome Waterworld Planet X Ethnic: Little Tijuana Nuevo Leon II Coochie coochie We No need No Stinking Badges Ritzy$: East End Oaks East End Hills Marta's Vineyard East End Manor's or Gable's Disclaimer:The following comments are not those nessesarily reflective of this news station. Any similarities/resemblance to any actual living or dead nabe/hood is purely coincidental.Void where prohibited.

Same here, I just get the urge to pull over, get out and push really hard until that ugly tower flops over. Maybe next storm? This reminds me of a certain Thrill Kill Cult or Front 242 song they always played at #'s. Hallelujah! This may be one of them... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhmj2K8QsGs

So true! The fun part was pulling up in a different area drive in and seeing others kids from other nabes/high schools hanging out. Showing off your car was a major part of the ritual too. I still remember it was always courteous to simply turn your head lights on & off to get the carhops attention, honking wasn't only rude it was embarassing. It's the outdoor juke box I still miss. PS, everytime I see a rerun of American Graffiti it makes me want to get in the car and look for a Prince's for a Seafood Basket.

I haven't grinned like that in years! Bernie hmmm. Scanning is a pain, gotta find in old albums, take to have scanned, then place on Photobucket then place here. Really thinking of just having a meet and passing around the albums and make it easier on me any way. Here is a hint, we were with some guys and gals dressed up in Halloween attire, found others strolling around and one was a "flasher" he opened his coat and out popped an "expletive" extra in length, was fake of course but considered shocking even for then. He had wrapped a long hose with whatever and was acting a dream I guess. We snapped a photo of our own Charlie Chaplin double hitting his cane on the dudes tally-wacker. Its was a riot. Should have been on Life Magazine I bet. Further down towards Numbers club there were about 15 big cheerleaders doing kicks with pom poms etc, upon further observation it was a bunch of dudes with 4 o'clock shadow and all. Funny days.

In order by decade: 1. Weekend Family excursions to Galvez and being able to drive the car (1960 Chevy Impala) down the concrete ramp (scary) onto Stewart Beach then jumping out and running into the crashing waves. 2. Driving down almost every weekend as a teen with the gang in too many junk cars to remember. 3. Big "Beach Party Blow Out" and "Battle of the Band's" promotional summer parties in early 80's. This is when the Beach Pavilion (Appfel Park) was new and The Beach Hut Club had Hawaiin Tropic Girls bikini contests, (Hurricane Alicia swept that party place into Galveston party folklore forever). 4. Going through Tropical Blend suntan lotion like it was going out of style. PS, this was a great topic brought back very carefree, pleasant and fun days.

Especially in the lower Westheimer section. Ja! The end was nearing for all of these weekend shenanigan's as drugs, violence and public intoxication became a serious issue. Specific people were being targeted by hate groups and the like. It really was a weekend circus. Everything from bible thumping mega phone preachers to biker gangs became the norm. Like they say all good things come to an end!

Just think how many more there are like him on the internet. Creepy.

Maybe finnagle around the MD Anderson Cancer Center website or Cancer related sites? I would before shelling out $30 bucks. Just a thought. For now avoid the searing sun though.

Just an FYI: Erik is nephew of Mike Barajas, not son.

by the 70's those apts were mostly airline personnel and well kept up. They are discussed in length under Glenbrook Valley or similar topic? Sadly by late 70's that whole area went downhill and is major crack/AMW area to this day. Big embarassment for our city. Mayor?

That is why it is imperative that everyone learn to swim at a very early age. We were very fortunate that YMCA used to have free lessons when we were growing up in Houston. Even people that learn to swim can be drowned by non-swimmers when panic kicks in. Life Guard lessons are another addtional course I can strongly encourage.

Ditto, and thank original poster for alerting the public... period. You all could have saved more lives just by telling of this unfortunate event. Thats what really matters.