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The Underwood st. House is still standing, right?

Whoa... Just saw the Underwood House pics. I love that design so much. The details are still intact...low profile, long stairs, light fixtures (some recessed), landscape ornamental lights, possibly original landscape design plants ( ex. Sago palms). At least with neglect, there is hope of rejuvenation, unlike extensive, inappropriate remodeling or selling for lot value. Thanks for sharing photos Flat Four.

The Carrousel horse from the vintage twirling carousel sign is on EBay, starting bid 649.00. Approx. 1day. 20 hrs. Left. Looks familiar. Wait a minute... How many horses were there, originally, on that sign? I don't know.

I know there are those who can't stand anything old. I can understand that viewpoint. But I'm not one of them. I would like to see some of the buildings remain, for people, and future artists in particular, to experience the actual architectural works. Some things you just can't get from a sketch, blueprint, or photograph... At a young age, I sensed the darkness of a Victorian mansion (East End), the simplicity of a bungalow, the sleek, yet ornate details of the original Sears Bldg., the heavy, yet airy, multi-tiered feel of Brutalism (HISD bldg.), the exquisite landscape design and refinement of the Prudential Bldg. (fountains, light stone with contrasting bronze or copper details - interior). These experiences impress. I can still remember the color of the pool, looking down from an office view, many stories above it. I was no more than six, at the time. In my eyes, the Prudential has always been a prime example of perfect space planning, where everything came together, beautifully. I'm sure that though the years, the urban landscape of the bldg. was compromised, chopped up, thrown off balance. In other words, the architect's vision was destroyed. I wonder about the materials in these older buildings... What did they use? Is it something we don't have available anymore? I know it wasn't all good, and they can't all be saved...Lead paint, asbestos, to name a few problems. But the quality materials in some older buildings is/ was extremely high. Hopefully, the irreplaceable pieces are recognized and salvaged. As for our health, IMO, we have seemed to swap some issues for others. I respect architectural examples from all eras, including the most recent. I believe there can be a balance of old and new structures. I have grown up in this bayou city. It has inspired my love of architecture. But I have to wonder at what cost do we destroy our past. I cannot fathom how such a great Fine Arts community can disregard architectural preservation. It disturbs my soul.

So what's going on with the botanical garden? First I've heard of it.... Never mind, just read the long post about it. I don't care one way or the other, I just don't want more concrete parking lots on previous green space. Idylwood and it's surrounding area is very unique to Houston, and it's integrity needs to be preserved. Glenbrook's, as well. Just glad there has always been a strong civic association to protect Idylwood and one for Houston Country Club Place.

Some of the research mentioned the lack of actual legal paperwork, in the form of land deeds, agreements, etc. Some early agreements were verbal, or not well documented due to the acting parties illiteracy. This may explain why some graves could not be located. Nice to hear your stories of the land, Michelle. There are not many of the old homes left. I drove through the area a while ago. I've not seen any paperwork of graves ever being moved. Makes you wonder. I've noticed many early Houston cemeteries were located near the bayous. Some graves have been lost to the deterioration of banks, floods. The apartments could actually suffer from unstable foundations, due to the sloping, shoddy design.

The earlier flood photo has Henke & Pillot - Largest Grocer's (poss. address - 302 Milam in 1925) and Ship Channel Drug Co. I have viewed some photos of both floods. Second one got the city's attention, in a big way. It prompted Sears to build the S. Main St. store. Thanks for sharing the photos.

Do a search in HAIF for "cemetery in Riverside Terrace" in Historic Houston section. You will find much discussion about the name and family Kuhlman. Some creeks, etc. get their names from previous/ original owners of the land. Looks like this guy owned quite a few acres at one time. Harris County block books show quite a few maps of developed land under his name, named Tierwester. Guess he or his descendants sold quite a bit of it.

Not sure, as mine never did. Maybe they didn't like the industrial expansion. The area of Magnolia Park was initially very wooded and park-like. Perhaps they just wanted a bigger house.

Preferences§1234567890-=Backspace Tabqwertyuiop[] Return capslockasdfghjkl;'\ shift`zxcvbnm,./shift English Deutsch Español Français Italiano Português Русский altalt PreferencesQuestion: why can't I reply to HAIF without getting this long list of letters and commands? strange...started after I got a new laptop. Boo. Example: see my comment in Clear Lake Theater. THNX.

I don't know anything about the Clear Lake theater location. But I do know that the AMC - Cinema at Baybrook Mall looked just like the earlier, larger locations, Meyerland, Gulfgate, Northline. Had star patterned, linoleum walls and sixties style mini white tiles with an occasional splash of color, orange, turquoise, etc. in the restrooms and that scarlet carpet in the lobby. Trademark look. Thought it was so fancy.

HPMatt ~ Very interesting information about JP Morgan and Indianola. My grandmother's relatives landed in Indianola, from Germany. She attended Milby HS, knew the Milby daughter. Welcome to HAIF.

Daisy Lauretta Smith wrote a paper on the history of Harrisburg quite a while ago. I believe It was published by Chas. H. Milby High School in 1981. Im sure HMRC has a copy.

The design called for the sculpting of those hills, to create the different levels of Gulfgate. I find it fascinating. I remember a flag pole at the top of that hill, by Joske's.

Seems the cloudy day and/ or possible photo filter have distorted the color of Memorial City mall. I pass it frequently. Don't recall that deep yellow. I'm thinking its a cream w/ slight yellow tint. Triton, have you used the search feature within this forum? Might help with that amusement park photo search.

do a search for Mall Hall of Fame and specifically Gulfgate for a layout, all floors. not the one I was talking about, but it does mention an auditorium, bottom floor. ...

I've studied Gulfgate's design quite extensively. It's predecessor was Northgate in Seattle. Maybe that's where the multi-level idea came from. Gulfgate fascinated me, as a kid, and still does. Never seen any mall quite like it. I ran across a blueprint online once. Have never been able to find it again. It would have shown the room you vaguely remember, probably. I do recall a banquet/ convention type hall somewhere in it's design, on a lower level. I personally remember some type of office doors on the west side of the south wing. I'll look again for those drawings.

I just wonder where all those quality materials from the Prudential Bldg. went. Reclaim, Recycle, Sustain...well, It was a beautiful landscape layout.

I've used the Portal to Texas History for quite a while. It's a great site for research. Hadn't seen this, though. Thanks!

I was shocked at Memorial Park's appearance. Maybe more than some people due to the fact that I hardly ever pass by the Galleria. I couldn't believe it. My heart sunk. A drought after the last hurricane took it's toll. I feel the same way when traveling down the Gulf Freeway. Winter time makes everything look desolate, as well. Hopefully, we wll see a lot of rain this Spring.

At some point the Pasadena store was remodeled to look like the Almeda and Northwest Malls. I can't remember ever seeing the Pasadena Foley's with that sculpted entrance awning (It was redone late 60's or early 70's, I'm guessing).It reminds me of the rippled Sage covered walkway, at SE location - I45S @ Winkler. That's a nice collection of Foley's store designs.

Attn: Meadowbrook people ~ FYI - There is an open group on Facebook called "Meadowbrook Neighborhood Houston Texas 77017" that includes resident's memories of the area, photos, including one b/w shot of the east side arch, near OGR and an inter-urban station platform. Note: you need to send a friend request to view the photos.

Happy Historian ~ I passed by that spot many times in the 1970's...I remember the horse stables. The yacht may have caught my eye, as well. I can't recall. What a shame. It was a beauty, at one time. Ive seen a photo. My stepfather went to school with Ralph Wallace, in the late 1960's. RW grew up in GV, went on to become a state representative. I got to tour his childhood home, with nice sunroom in back.

Thanks Chauncey...interesting, about the depression, good theory. Brunsville sounds German to me. My German grandfather, along with many others, settled in the East End, hence German Street, later renamed Canal St., Engelke neighborhood., etc. Many Germans moved away from the EE, later, I've read. And welcome to HAIF.

Oh yeah...there is an old Jack in the Box on the west side of the property.