kayzer

Town & Country opened around 1966. I don't remember when Joske's was built, but Sakowitz opened in November of 1967. I know because I worked there from the time it opened until 1972. Behind Joske's was a mini mall containing a few stores, but the only store name I remember was The Berry Tree. There was also a store called The Mod Mart in the strip center that was on the east side of the street that runs from Kimberley to where Joske's was. It had nice gift items and I still have a glass lampshade that came from there. There was a Mini Max grocery store and SuperX drug store. There was also a James' Coney Island and Demaris Barbeque. They were both on Kimberley. The Mexican Restaurant was Casa Martinez.

As I remember, two of the anchor stores were Joske's (later Dillard's) and J.C. Penney. The Wiki link to old Mall is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_&_Country_Mall

Also, we used to go on the roof of the parking structures and watch the fireworks on July 4th.

I find it odd that nearly every highway has added at least four lanes (two in each direction) since 1978. Katy Freeway has the biggest "improvement" overall. Watch the ol' MKT right of way disappear!

Also: The Woodlands had more trees than it does now. Easy to say when EVERYTHING was REAL woods.

When I moved here in 1979, my dad bought me a street map. The key was to the left of Gessner. That was as far west as Houston went! There was literally NOTHING past Gessner! I spent my birthday that year driving up and down Highway 6 looking for Bellaire. Unbeknown to me, they didn't intersect at the time. Not funny then, but VERY funny now.

Westchase was a fun place in the late 70s-early 80s. The secretary where I worked lived at the Woodchase Apartments. They had an art moderne look, with bright blue awnings. This nod to retro in new construction back then was pretty unique (pre-Transco Tower). I thought they were the coolest apartments in town, along with the St. Louis, until the Winwood Apartments were built southwest of there.

I happened by Gessner and Westheimer the other day and was mad that they "remodeled" the Woodchase. Now it looks like another dump apartment in Houston. Dumb, dumb developers!

Speaking of firehouses, a lease listing just popped up on HAR for a former firehouse, $1900 for a 2 BR with 2 kitchens that still has the original firepoles installed at 910 Hardy.

Awww...those Victorians rock!

Thanks!

Though, the house hasn't been torn down yet, and Hakeem has cooperated with GHPA to some extent on other issues in the past - so I wouldn't assume just yet that he won't make some concession to the historical significance of this building. Even if it's just not charging a non-profit as much as he would a commercial venture for the purchase of the building.

This needs more publicity to push it over the edge. I signed it, though.

Well, whatever goes up there will most assuredly be crap.

No doubt. And sitting on the market forever. If that house had been renovated properly, it would have been snatched up. Stats don't lie.

I wish city ordinances would mandate tax breaks for houses with vintage architecture and that new construction is sympathetic and in keeping with the architecture of the neighborhood. Houston does this crap all the time, and it really fries my okra!

I recently took a class held at Spring Woods High School. I thought it was quite an interesting building, with the curved walled entrance and the courtyard in the center. Does any one know when it was built?

I'd like to hear some of your favorite schools. Pictures would be a plus!

I found out Spring Woods HS was built at the end of the mid-century mod era, in 1965. Thanks, Kelly!

Can't say that I've seen them sell in the Bend. Of all the houses listed for sale in Memorial Bend, none of the McMansions are listed as anything but "active" which means they're just sitting there. Of the 3-4 houses that are option pending or sale pending, none are McMansions.

I'm not surprised about that. When will developers learn?

Actually, I prefer the house next door. I almost thought that was the one you were talking about.

"Someone please let me know how to apply for historic designation."

Will send info to you under separate cover. Would a historic application primer be helpful for all who visit this site?

Yes! I would like to know. In many cases, this is the first step in getting a structure recognized. (Protected, of course, is another matter, I assume.)

Like many people, I aspire to own and preserve a historical building or house. If anyone could apply (and not just the owner, Homeowner's associations, or a preservation group), think of the number of houses and businesses that could be saved in Houston for future generations to admire and enjoy.

Compared to many, older cities, we have relatively few architectural footprints left in Houston, recording who we were and what we've become through our history. Our movie houses are gone, along with much of our old business district. Because our big growth spurt came after WWII, mid-century modern is as identifiable with Houston as arts & crafts is with the Midwest and Victorian with San Francisco. We have a better chance than ever to save significant homes/neighborhoods; the Federal government seems more willing than ever to work with us.

There's a cool mod east from there, next to a huge newly constructed house on the opposite side of Tosca. Even the stone walkway is really sweet. It's one of my all-time favorite Houston houses. I think it's something like "12823(?)". I really love that neighborhood.

I moved to Sugar Land when it was Sugarland, but way after segregation. I was told that the old part of town with numbered streets were the white houses and the part of town with lettered streets were for black residents. With this in mind I recall the old M.R. Wood School on Avenue F, which I thought had a very nice design. It apparently has now either been torn down or rebuild beyond recognition. I realize that it probably needed to be enlarged, but I'm sad that another of our old buildings have been lost.

Question #1: Where is the former "Sugar Land High School"? From 1950 to 1953, Ken Hall rushed for 11,232 yards for Sugar Land High School. Where is that school today?

Question#2: Are there any older existing schools in the area? It seems they all have been torn down. I know both Sugar Land and Mo City each have an old auditorium, but I think that's about it. Of these 3 cities, Stafford is the oldest established town, yet, I have never seen an old school that serviced it.

Question#3: Do either Mo City or Stafford have areas which were once segregated and where are they located?

Question #4: Does anyone know the history of the large house facing South Main (90A) near Present Street?

Question #5: Does anyone have a photo of the old M.R. Wood School they could post?

Any information or memories you'd like to share would be awesome. Thanks.

I've heard that Sugar Land schools are excellent, and I've heard good things about a lot of different subdivisions in Sugar Land. I'm hoping someone can help me narrow my search a bit by telling me:

1. What are the BEST elementary schools (and high schools, for future reference) in Sugar Land?

2. In terms of access to freeways, and mature trees, are First Colony and New Territory my best choices? Are there others that are close to freeways (and as close to Houston as possible) that also have mature trees?

thanks for any advice/suggestions.

I've been a First Colony resident since '79. We do have mature oak trees and excellent schools with established instructors. Teachers aspire to teach in First Colony Schools; it's a plumb job. Clemens HS is top-notch...check the stats. I see kids walking home from school, often without adult supervision, under huge shady trees looking very happy. Colony Bend Elementary is excellent. There is a lack of after-school programs...however there isn't much interest as there are a lot of stay-at-home or home business moms here. Many kids go to hang out or work in the family business after school. We have three restaurant owners on my street alone!

There are about 50% families and 50% empty nesters/or with older kids (like me)...so there is always someone outside gardening or working in their garage during the day. Most neighbors say "hi" and look out for each other; it's very safe. My only complaint is that neighborhoods built in the late 70s-early 80s were often built hurriedly due to the huge jump in population (mostly Rust Belt & Calif. refugees). Sometimes very cheap materials and/or workmanship was involved. Thank goodness, my dad was in construction and knew what he was looking at.

Move here...pick a good house that was well maintained, have it inspected and you've got it made. When I moved here there was NOTHING except the town, the prison, Aztec Rental and the sugar mill.....now it's all real purrrdy!

I recently took a class held at Spring Woods High School. I thought it was quite an interesting building, with the curved walled entrance and the courtyard in the center. Does any one know when it was built?

I'd like to hear some of your favorite schools. Pictures would be a plus!

I'd for sure get mold and asbestos issues cleared up, but it looks solid and could be spectacular with the right buyer. I agree that it's rather a high asking price in today's market, esp. for a high-end fixer-uper. The low-end quality of the photography doesn't measure up to the high-end property being promoted. That MUST be addressed. Hope a deal can be worked out. It's a fine looking mod.

- Email 311@cityofhouston.net

- CC that email to your local councilman's.....having a Civic Association or HOA, but you can attend meetings.

Yes, indeed! Show your face, meet people, and make yourself known. And photographs are key evidence that you're not "exaggerating".

As mama said, "The squeaky wheel gets the grease."

Welcome, Dee Ann! Here's a great site with the Glenbrook Valley homes, WITH ADDRESSES!: Parade of Homes - Glenbrook Valley

I have been using Google Maps to navigate street views of the mid-century Parade of Homes...taking a virtual drive down the streets! Beware, this is very addicting. I've spent too many late nights having fun like this. Unfortunately, not all streets are accessible with Google Maps on street level. For example, the 7900 block of Glenview cannot be viewed from street level. 7919 Glenview (magnificent!) was one of 6 original homes built 1954 included on that year

Ah ok sounds like the building is still standing. I was going to get upset if the rumor I heard was true that it was bulldozed down and something else was there. Guess I need to make a trip over there and see how it looks, if its being renovated to look like it did when as the dealership in the 50`s then I will really luck out give me a chance to get a picture of the car at the dealership it was sold from new.

That would really be awesome!

No pics to share. Just my favorite memory. For years in the 60s and 70s, the University of Texas Football team would stay at the Royal Coach when it came to town to play Rice. That weekend only, the Texas Ex manager and other staff members called the place "The Coach Royal Inn".

Do any of you know the (former) address?

I'm looking out at the GRB right now and I'm clear over on Louisiana. At the time it was built, I couldn't make up my mind if I liked it or not. As time passed, it's grown on me. It looks alot better since they repainted the smoke stacks.

Those nightime pictures are awesome. You've got to admit that with the new park, etc. this has to leave a very favorable impression to visitors.

Ewwww~! Sorry. It STILL looks like tiled beached ship washed up from Galveston. Nothing's more puke-provoking than brutalist architecutre with make up on!

Yeah, it looks like it was cheap to build, too. And to make a building ugly from a main N-S Interstate is inexcusable in the late 20/early 21st century. When they ripped the design off from the Pomp. Center in France, that notion got lost in the translation, I guess. It reminds me of the old abandoned auto plants in Detroit...they look nice lit up, too. (except they actually have style and craftsmanship going for them).

I apologize to all out-of-town visitors for it. Then I show them the Wortham.

Me too. This is way too important.

I signed too! Lets stop the demolition madness, already!

Here's one that just came on the market in Spring Branch on Eddystone.

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cf...mp;backButton=Y

I went and looked at it but the floor plan doesn't work for me because the den is too far from the rest of the living area. The kitchen looked original.

Frankly, I'd love my home office away from family distractions. I'll bet this is what the builders had in mind.

I'm with the "just clean it up" crowd. A purist's dream....a livable time machine. I really love this house!

I bought my car at Courtesy Chevrolet ("Seventy-Seven, Seventy-Seven, Katy Freeway"). I don't remember it being architecturally all that. Correct me if I'm wrong. Knapp is a must have photo, my favorite. Jack Roach was something special, too. Also, River Oaks Chrysler on Kirby is nice. I got my Rendezvous at David Taylor, a very Colonial/Greek Revival looking building. I have to go there tomorrow, I'll try to remember to take a few shots.

Thank you for such great photos! 4819 Harrisburg is my fav too.

Here's a good article about Olivewood:

http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/savvypages/arc...05_cemetery.htm

Perhaps it's here:

Harris County Cemetery #2