Highrise Tower

wow!! I never knew there were two different Woolworth's in downtown! The original F.W. Woolworth Co. 5-10 and 15 Cent Store was located at 920 Main Street. This building was designed by architect Alfred C. Finn. The other building at 613 Main Street was designed by Kenneth Franzheim. Almost every city and town of any size or importance in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century had a Woolworth’s Department Store. Houston’s downtown branch was located at 920 Main Street. The photo can be dated to 1917–1918, because during that time architect Alfred C. Finn maintained an office, visible on the left side of the second floor, in the Woolworth Building. When Woolworth store chain founder Frank W. Woolworth died in 1919, there were over one thousand Woolworth stores in the United States alone.

Alfred C. Finn renderings and some interior photos. The architect titled this as Exposition and Convention Hall.

Rendering of the Contemporary Arts Museum, ca. 1948, by the firm of MacKie & Kamrath. This simple, but modernistic A-frame structure was designed as the first gallery and exhibition space for Houston’s Contemporary Arts Association, founded in 1948. Eventually, this building, located at 502 Dallas, became too small for the needs of the CAM, and it moved to its present, more spacious location on the northwest corner of Montrose and Bissonnet in 1972.

The classically elegant Miller Memorial Theater, located in Hermann Park, was designed by William Ward Watkin in 1921. The theater was demolished beginning in 1967 to make way for the present Miller Outdoor Theater, completed in 1969. The only remnants of Watkin’s original theater are the columns, which flanked both sides of the proscenium. The columns were moved in 1968 to help create the Mecom-Rockwell Fountain and Colonnade at the north end of Hermann Park near the ZaZa Hotel.

Rendering of the South End Christian Church designed in 1922 by Alfred Finn. The imposing neoclassical edifice stood at 4000 Main Street and was constructed at a time when the South End was populated by many of Houston’s more affluent citizens. The Pastor was Dr. A.E. Ewell

Do we have an address for this building? It wasn't the Sam Houston Coliseum was it? That building was located at 801 Bagby. The internet has both buildings at the same location. I forgot this was designed by architect Kenneth Franzheim.

Looks like the City Auditorium was designed by architect Alfred C. Finn. I believe this was located on Main Street. Does anyone have an address? One website has an address of 615 Louisiana, where the current Jones Hall is located. Can we get a confirmation of the address and location?

Could this have been the manufacturing plant of Black, Sivalls & Bryson located at 9901 South Main Street? Found this on the 1950 Sanborn map. BSB designs and builds world-class process equipment systems and plants for the oil and gas, chemical and refining industries. From my knowledge, in the 1950s, there were the following manufacturing plants located in the South Main/Willowbend area. There is probably a few more. Black, Sivalls & Bryson (9901 South Main Street) Brochsteins (10002 South Main Street) Smith Monument Company (10001 South Main Street) Waukesha Pearce (12320 South Main Street)

A few articles I found. From the newspaper Southwestern Times dated August 5, 1948: New Plastics Plant Planned In Section Construction will begin soon on a $1,000,000 plastics plant at the intersection of Post Oak Road and the S.A. and A.P. railroad tracks, just north of the Bellaire city limits, according to J.B. Dannenbaum, consulting engineer. Designed for a 16-acre site, the plant will house the Wright Manufacturing Company. An office building, a factory, and a plant facilities will be contained in approximately 130,000 square feet of floor space. Mr. Dannenbaum stated that 300 persons would be employed at the company for the purpose of manufacturing rubber tile and plastics products. Paved roads and parking spaces, as well as a railroad spur track, are included among the appurtenances on the plans. From the newspaper Southwestern Times dated March 3, 1949: Plastics Plant Will Open In Southwestern Section This April Football Cleat and Rubber Floor Tile To Be Among Items Made The Southwestern section bids fair to become the football cleat capitol of the world, among other things, with the opening sometime in April of the $2,000,000 Wright Manufacturing Company plant. Located on the southeast corner of the intersection of Post Oak Road and the S.A. and A.P. railroad tracks, the plant will specialize in rubber floor tile, offering in addition an assortment of other item including plastic teacups, motor bearings, sink strainers, or for that matter “anything in plastics,” as President Thomas F. Millane has phrased it. More than 125,000 square feet of floor space is represent in the architect’s sketch above the Wright Manufacturing Company plant, which is now nearing completion at the intersection of Post Oak Road and the S.A. and A.P. tracks at the northern fringe of Bellaire. The office building at the front has an area of 7000 feet, while the factory at the rear contains 116,000 square feet. The plastics firm, one of the largest manufactures of rubber tile flooring in the country with plants in Milwaukee and Racine, Wisconsin, has scheduled an April opening.

I was browsing the 1950 Sanborn map when I saw a manufacturing company next door to the Pin Oak Stables located near the present day Westpark & 610/59. Anyone remember this plant? Would love to see some photos. I could have sworn me and a fellow HAIF member was talking about this last year. I was under the assumption the plant was located on South Post Oak and West Bellfort where Meyer Park Shopping Center would eventually be built. Searched and couldn't find it. Wright Manufacturing Co. made rubber tile, and I think plastics. Looks like the plant and associated buildings was built in 1949. It's possible their plastic facility was located further down South Post Oak Road. Or maybe I'm just confused.

I was browsing the newspaper Southwestern Times dated July 31, 1952 and came across an article and business advertisement for Idlewood Kennels located at South Main Street & South Post Oak Road. Idlewood Kennels Open Dog Hotel The most modern dog kennels in America will be opened formally Sunday when Idlewood Kennels, on South Main where Post Oak road ends-ends into the main thoroughfare, opens its doors to the public. The opening will be on the 49th anniversary of the original Idlewood Kennels, which were the most modern in America before the Houston edition of the famous dog hostelry was founded by Leo Schelver, son of the founder of the original Idlewood Kennels. Houston’s newest and ritziest hotel for dogs is the last word in comfort for the pampered canine. It has air conditioning, all-tile stalls with running water and individual faucets, a beauty parlor for dogs where a pooch can get anything from a manicure to the fanciest poodle-doo. The founder is Leo Schelver, of Atlanta, GA., one of the nation’s best known dog handlers. The manager is Robert Hermanson, formerly of Detroit, Mich., who majored in animal husbandry at Michigan State. You Are Cordially Invited to Our Formal Opening Sunday August 3 Located 1.7 miles south of South Main underpass, we offer the finest appointments and services in the South • Air Cooled and Air Conditioned • All Glazed Tile Walls in Each Kennel • Running Water in Each Pen • Individual 25 Foot Runs • Completely Equipped Tile Kitchen where all food is prepared • Large Completely Equipped Beauty Parlor No Sick Dogs Accepted Nationally Famous in Atlanta Since 1903 Idlewood Kennels, Inc. South Main at Post Oak Road Houston, Texas MO-0630

One Discovery Way: Unknown path: Collaborative Building: Parcel G being cleared. Great news!! Helix Park, section 1: Helix Park, section 2: Helix Park, section 3: Helix Park, section 4: A structure is forming!! Unknown Path: Two Discovery Way: Mixed-Use Garage:

2nd tower crane was going up this weekend.

Jamail Specialty Care Center getting a new logo!!

Were there rice fields near here?

This single is dedicated to the women of Iran. May you never forget your rich and incredible history, which echoes the names of countless female warriors, healers, scientists, artists, scholars, architects, politicians, innovators, pioneers, athletes, rulers, and revolutionaries. Apranik is just one of those names. Yet its mere mention, even through the most delicate of whispers

Thought it was about time to make a thread about AHC. Great multifamily developer!! https://www.allenharrisonco.com/

From the newspaper The Bellaire & Southwestern Texan dated April 19, 1972: Ron's Fried Chicken Flavored To The Bone Coupon: 1 family size order of french fires with purchase of a Family Order #5 $2.99 you get 10 large pieces of Ron's Krispy Fried Chicken plus 6 biscuits (also good on Orders #5, 6, 7, 8) Offer Good At All Ron's Fried Chicken Locations. Ron's Fried Chicken 8015 Beechnut @ SW Fwy. 772-1306 14509 S. Post Oak @ Fuqua 433-0943

I was looking at the 1950 Sanborn map and came across Smith Monument Co. located at 10001 South Main Street. Their industrial campus was located at the intersection of South Main Street at Old Main Street Road. A classic intersection for sure!! The campus had 3 buildings, including an office, pump house, and a factory building. I'll see if I can find the campus on Google Earth a bit later.

I was browsing the newspaper The Jewish Herald-Voice dated December 20, 1973 and came across a business advertisement for Judd McIlvains El PoPo Mexican Restaurant located at 9228 Buffalo Speedway. Did anyone ever eat here? What ever happened with the family of Judd McIlvain? I wonder if there are any photos of the building, or matchbooks from the restaurant? The food looks fantastic! I don't think I've ever had Popocatepetl-style Mexican food before. I wonder how their mole is different? I know there is like 5 types of mole from different regions. Judd McIlvains El PoPo Mexican Restaurant Old Family Receipes from the Villages of Popocatepetl Carnitas*Steaks*Sopes*Chilies Rellanos* Dinner Special $1.50 includes two cheese enchiladas, beef taco, rice, beans, Doritos 9228 Buffalo Speedway "Near Astrodome" 664-2905 "Daily Luncheon Specials"

I'm trying to find information about an old hospital on Houston's west side. Is there any information about it? Looks like it was located near Bellaire and Wilcrest. After researching more, the hospital was originally called Alief General Hospital? The Alief General Hospital had an address of 11101 Bellaire Blvd. which is at the corner of Bellaire and Wilcrest. Here's an advertisement inquiring employment wanted found in the newspaper The Bellaire & Southwestern Texan dated October 6, 1976. An image of the hospital that I cropped from a photograph of a FINA Gas Station located at 11024 Bellaire Blvd.

Game-changing design for the City of Bellaire!! Unfortunately this has been scaled down to 3-stories. I really like the three retail buildings and green space. Would be a vast improvement over the giant surface lot! My only complaint is the height. Seems that Bellaire refuses to build tall. Believe you are limited to 2-stories in parts of the city. I remember how hard it was for the Chevron site on Fourace to be redeveloped. Took years of public meetings and in the end they were limited to 2 or 3 stories. Public hearing begins for proposed Methodist Hospital at site of Bellaire’s former Randall’s https://communityimpact.com/houston/bellaire-meyerland-west-university/development/2023/03/08/public-hearing-begins-for-proposed-methodist-hospital-at-site-of-bellaires-former-randalls/ Overall, the new proposed project includes three one-story retail buildings and a three-story medical office building with an attached two-story parking garage and an additional subsurface parking level on the approximately 3.19-acre site, according to the commission’s agenda packet.

I was reading the newspaper The Bellaire & Southwestern Texan dated December 11, 1968 and came across a business advertisement for The Egg House located at 11216 South Post Oak Road. What's the story with this company? It would be hard to believe, in 2023, there would be a retail store that only sold eggs. Did the sell dairy as well? Milk, cheese, or yogurt? Looks like the eggs came from Lindsey Farms. The farm, and retail headquarters was located at 11216 S. Post Oak. I know they had a smaller retail store down the block at Willowbend and South Post Oak. I believe they had a total of 7 or 8 locations across the city. I would love to hear more about this company. Information about the farms and the Lindsey family. The Talking Hen Says: "This offer is made to invite you to try our Farm Fresh Eggs" (Sold only in 3-doz. cartons) Announces: Special Offer Bring Discount Coupon For: 3 Dozen Grade "A" Large Eggs for $1 Lindsey Farm Eggs are Farm Fresh, produced on Purina Feeds, delivered direct from the farm to our tore; are best quality available, and are backed by a Money-back Guarantee. If you want quality and freshness in eggs - at economy prices - redeem this coupon at Lindsey Farms Egg House, 11216 S. Post Oak. (Look for Red & White Checkerboard Sign.)

I was reading the newspaper The Bellaire & Southwestern Texan dated January 9, 1974 and came across a business advertisement for Harlow's Honey Fluff Donuts located at 10423 South Post Oak Road. Does anyone recall this donut shop? Their donuts seem delish! Advertising "honey fluff" donuts. Looking on Google, this appears to have been located where Cue's Burgers is. wow!! Que's Burgers has been there for over 20 years? I can imagine once Harlow's Honey Fluff Donuts moved out, Que's Burgers moved in. Anyone know the story? Mention this ad for Threebee Special Buy a dozen - get three free Harlow's Honey Fluff Donuts 10423 S. Post Oak 723-7819 (Across from A.J. Foyt) World's Best Donuts

I was browsing the newspaper The Bellaire & Southwestern Texan dated December 22, 1965 and came across a business advertisement for Snowflake Donut No. 12 located At 10545 South Post Oak Rd. Does anyone recall this chain or donut stores? Or remember this particular location a long South Post Oak? Did Snowflake Donut really have 12+ locations across town? I wonder if Shipley's eventually bought them out? Their ad mentions "across from post office" does that mean there was a post office on South Post Oak near the present-day Krogers? Looks like it would have been where the infamous Meyerland Collision is located at 10532 South Post Oak. That is news to me! 6 A.M. to 10 P.M. Snowflake Donut No. 12 24 Varieties of Donuts Delicious Hot Coffee Order By Phone PA9-1838 10545 S. Post Oak Across From Post Office