NenaE

I have added pics to the last post. #1 is an underground exit from the south end of gulfgate (by theater bridge) #2 looking across at cinema (anyone know what that type of tree is?) juniper? bonsai? #3 I-45 side shot

Thank you Marmer, knew the white house was significant! I am a new member of Rice Design Alliance (RDA), along with HAIF, and can't wait to get ahold of the old Cite articles to read. (believe I can find them in the Rice library).

Someone thinks that white one is important. They gave it a marker. I can appreciate the design aspects, but it is not particularly my favorite. (The story is interesting). The gray one is a fav of mine, but doesn't have a marker. I wanted to show how nicely kept some of these homes are. The gray house has wonderful landscaping, reminiscent of its time.

From Fez1964: "Actually, the address is 6328 Brookside and the Registered Texas Historical Marker you are referring to is titled the Angelo and Lillian Minella House. This is how the inscription on the marker reads:" I've added pics: 6328 Brookside

Here is a photo of Kiddie Wonderland right before it closed down (located on South Main, right by Med. Center, Prudential Bldg. and Shamrock Hilton). Heard a story of Candace Bergen's dad taking her there whenever he was at the Shamrock.

That slogan brought back some memories. It's sad to think that a business that's been there "forever", as long as I can remember, would do this...just because it's the East End doesn't mean you have to make it nasty. Another brownfield to clean up... My great-grandmother chose this side of town to live in (when Houston was just starting to grow alot -1920's maybe). She loved it. They are "suspected"...we'll soon see.

Just curious, did you get any pics?

Yeh, wasn't sure where to put this message. I have some pics of the old Gulfgate right before they tore it down. Was sad about that, but can understand about the asbestos. Many memories of it growning up. Interesting architecture, how they constructed the whole area on a slope. (maybe it was man-made),piped plum creek under it, granite rocks on one side, by Joskes. The area where the Cinema was, in the original plans was going to be a medical facility (clinics, I believe). Didn't pan out. The fountains were probably placed where the square gardens in the original outdoor mall design would have been. Will post those pics soon.

Here is a nice link, picture of the fountains that were in Gulfgate Shopping City. http://mallsofamerica.blogspot.com/2006/08...ing-center.html I've read a lot about Gulfgate on HAIF, but don't recall anyone talking about them. It's one of the things I remember most. They were huge, beautiful, water shot high into the air,base was maybe concrete, had pretty (turquoise?) tile work inside. They stood very tall, as I remember barely being able to see over the top of them (maybe a child-safety feature, I was about 6 yrs. old). There were several of them, identical to the one in the link, positioned on each wing of the mall. There was also a different "tin" type fountain in the center "courtyard", where all the wings met up. You could throw coins in it. It was lower at the base, had multi-round levels where the water flowed down. I remember, for a big place, after the mall was enclosed, the walkways were always cool. Think the fountains played a part in this. I remember the sound of the water was very pleasing. PS the white benches (in the pic) were scary to me, looked like an alligator, or monster with it's mouth open...funny what you remember.

Park Place/Broadway/I-45 circle is talked about here, at that Freeway site musicman & gnu mention. Everyone should check it out, it really has some interesting info. and pics... Electric Railway Viaduct (around U. of H.) p.146 Broadway circle p.147 Gulfgate Shopping City (good aerial shot in color) p.156 link: http://www.oscarmail.net/houstonfreeways/e...eeway_72ppi.pdf on the gulfgate pic, you can see on rt. of mall where plum creek flows, on left, where movie theater, carousel motel, & peppermint park would soon be located.

You say "listen to this..." (relaying a story about something you just learned on HAIF). You have thousands of little notes, on little scraps of paper, "all over the house" about a place you need to research. You keep a pen & notebook in the car for addresses, just in case. You take the long cut home, just to see if anything has changed.

Postcard reads: "Junction U.S. 90-A at Gulf Freeway, I-45, U.S. 75" Location,Location,Location

There is a picture of the Avalon Theater in "Near East End" topic, Vertigo58,page3,post#114.

I'm guessing Shangai Red's was a fire trap. Looked like it was made of all wood.

Here is it in better days, a view of the "Zodiac Club"?, 2401 Wayside. Or would that be the restaurant, there was also a coffee shop, banquet halls. I'm sad, it reminded me of the Carousel Hotel.

Have you guys seen this: http://www.cinemahouston.info/lost.htm. (I'm sure some of you have.) Has much info. and great pics. of many theaters. EastEnders, if you go to Neighborhood theaters, independents, scroll down to bottom, on the left, has the Avalon/Capri theater off Lawndale & 75th?, was next to Leonards. Never went inside that one. This site is wonderful. I love old theaters.

Yeah, that's the neighborhood I was talking about in the last post of "Meadowbrook Arches", Charleton Park, hood behind that Italian restaurant "Dante's" with the flame logo, Oyster Bar rest. next door. Lots are large, I'm guessing 1940's when most homes built there. You always find those sloping lands around the bayous. I'm pretty sure that's still Park Place.

Thanks guys, sevfiv, if that's the one I'm thinking of, it's close to the old Sears , and it once had a halloween costume shop in the front. OOOHHH...I hope it's not torn down. Is that photo recent? Thanks mariar for the info, the google earth shows no building at that address, maybe it's the one on the corner, jives with the picture,...hope so. "They" better leave it alone! and Vertigo , you never let me down, imagine someone not letting us drink! Sounds like you need to head over to Dinner Bell...yumm.yumm.

Here is the link: http://www.cleburnecafeteria.com/history.php Original location Cleburne at Fannin...interesting story. Was called "Napoleons" first.

Has anyone talked about the original location for Cleburne Cafeteria (in Bellaire now) being a speakeasy. The web page for the cafeteria talks about the old location, on Cleburne St., of course. ( I believe that would be Midtown, rt?) anyway, they said it had trap doors, etc. Is it still there?

Did a search on the Bob Bailey/ U.T. archive site, (Photos - Part 1) did not find the Granada listed. Many old theaters from that time were photographed by Mr. Bailey's studio. Maybe someone has a copy of the recently published theaters of Houston book, and can hunt in there. Nice to know some theaters are stll standing...As least for now. PS That Bailey site is priceless, shows interior shots as well of many theaters from that time period. Just found this link with a little info on the Granada: http://www.houstondeco.org/list.html

You guys (and girls) are killing me!!! on second thought, my idea was too boring, I vote for any of the funny names. (I never thought this board would be sooo entertaining! )

Thanks toulouse & musicman, that's an interesting story, toulouse..let me know if you ever get to tour it, and please keep me posted on that "river rock" house. If it really is appraised so much less, the chances of it havng a happy ending are slim. (it needs a HAIF member to adopt it).I'll try to think positive. I would love to observe how the creek, gully, or whatever it is,flows in those backyards. And how it originally was set to drain. (My favorite show on HGTV is House Detectives). About the confusion, I will try to have my coffee before reading and responding to your info. Thanks again, my notes are now more complete!

I remember suicide circle, by the florist. Not exactly a good thing to have right by the driver's license place. I got my dr.license there, the circle wasn't part of the test. You're right, there are some neat old bungalows over by the DPS. They still catch my eye when heading north on 45. So do the little 1960's apts.I went to Sunday school when I was little bitty at the Methodist church. Surprised it's still untouched. I remember the apartments down the street, (on Pk. Place)towards Old Galveston rd. on the rt.They caught my eye, even when little, because you drove "down" the drive to enter them. Has anyone mentioned the original Kolache Shoppe. Right off Park Place, north on Telephone, on left. Burger Chef, on Reveille, a quick spin on those tall orange "bar stools" was fun while dad was ordering. After much hunting and many " &%$#@ " words, I found these...

Hahaha...Well, they have Downtown & Midtown, how about "Easttown"... Why are they always wanting to change everything in this town? I'm counting on you guys for my daily , now.