Sara Cooper

I drove by the old Shamrock location today, and was hungry, so I was thinking of a place to eat. As I cruised South main, my mouth began to water ( Just in memory ) for a pizza from Vallian's!! Man, they had the best pizza you ever ate! I believe they were at South Main & Holcomb, on the East side of the underpass. I'll never forget what a special treat it was to be able to go there. Anyone got any memories to share? I was always curious of what happened to the restaurant, and the Vallian family. Yuuuuum, Yum!

Valians was one of the places my family ate at as well.

Did you mean the old Shamrock hotel?

To Mark Barnes -

WOW!! I found this site this morning (was looking up info on Kitirik - I was on the show once), and I am also just blown away by your photos and info - same for jakdad and the others…

Did anyone else have breakfast on the train with Santa and Cadet Don and Kitirik at Christmas time? BTW, I was on her show once also--as a 2-3 year old, hehe

Hi T-Bird,

Those are not Sprints. They are Midgets. I was told that the fellow all crossed up in the pic is A.J. Foyt. My best guess is that the man in the 9 car is Billy Griswold. You have to remember that the old fences changed a few times over the years. Anyway, great discussion. Maybe Mark can shed some light on this.

Hey y'all, I think the photo might be of PLayland Park in Omaha…

However, I do have photos of Playland Park in Houston before the track was built- there were houses behind the park because my grandparents, Louis and Myrtle Gordon, raised my momma, aunt, and uncle there until buying a house over on Hatton Street (amazingly, this house is still right where it should be!). I'll try to get around to posting these photos, but I should tell you I have three ALBUMS of them- my grandmother owned the 'mug joint', which others may have calle the picture booth, at Playland Park.

My Mother and Grandmother were supposed to have worked the concessions at the track entrance the night Mr. Blackie's car went over the top… and Sam usually carried me around with him when both Momma and Nonnie were working. I still remember, although am not in touch with, a lot of the other concession owners. That Park was my family, and I sure miss it. If any of you remember me, or my family, please email. The family was 'Lefty' Lou and Myrtle Gordon, and their kids Judith, Bettie Jean, and David Gordon.

Does anyone remember a public swimming facility out Hempstead Hwy in the late 50's and early 60's? It seems like it was on the South side of the highway and could have been anywhere between 1960 (Jackrabbit Rd) and Waller. I remember it being real BIG but I have been trying to remember it's name and where it was. Our church youth group used to go there a lot.

I also think you refer to Hot Wells, and if I recall correctly, it was HUGE! I do remember something similar having been out on HWY 90 (now it's I 10 ) but that's been closed for at least 30 years.