CHiPs Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 The now empty lot actually looks really nice, almost makes you think that this is what it might have looked like ages ago. Maybe just trees and grass. Whomever is supposed to develop sure are taking their time about it. The other side is almost complete and does appear nice and modern. Palm trees please. I'm glad something is going up...just a little history from that place...My father purchased his 87' Ford F-150 from the car lot that once stood there back in 89'...He drove us all around town. He loved that truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I'm glad something is going up...just a little history from that place...My father purchased his 87' Ford F-150 from the car lot that once stood there back in 89'...He drove us all around town. He loved that truck. You must mean the car lot that was caddy corner across the frwy from Helena Hotel. I cannot recall the name of the car business around 1975-76? but they had those very popular sports vans on display with the doors wide open so customers could sit inside and check them out. This when the vans were the number one choice to have to go to the beach and pack in all the crowd, especially for the Drive In movies. This is a little off topic but films even help popularize the craze. PS, it was the sound systems that blew everyone away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 This new shopping center is beginning to look like a shopping center. Sure got off to a slow start. Will we finally see a nice brand new Cleaners? A brand new donut place like Dunkin Donuts would be perfect too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHiPs Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 (edited) "I'm not sure if you have noticed that I'm leasing the land on the West side of I-45 @ Wayside. I have letter of Intents/ leases with the following tenants. Taco Cabana, Washington Mutual, Burger King and CVS." The west side area is where Rodeaux is currently located."Does this mean a Chase will take its place? Edited October 24, 2008 by CHiPs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted October 28, 2008 Share Posted October 28, 2008 "I'm not sure if you have noticed that I'm leasing the land on the West side of I-45 @ Wayside. I have letter of Intents/ leases with the following tenants. Taco Cabana, Washington Mutual, Burger King and CVS." The west side area is where Rodeaux is currently located." Does this mean a Chase will take its place? They really need to have a Chase Bank location here. There was only an ATM in that Exxon and it was always broken down. I am quite happy to hear of these new retailers, however it will become more gridlock and loitering from the usual street people and adding to the hanging out will be the (ongoing major eyesore bus depot) just down the street at Telephone/S Wayside. The sad truth is this very, very busy intersection (45/Wayside) is a very fast moving area. Cars simply cannot stop at the drop of a pin when passing thru so when the autos in front of them stop to turn into these new establishments it will be crash, boom, bam. You see it almost daily further down as they turn into Dot's, Home Depot, and the barbecue place. The best thing they can do is post a very large neon sign at these new places stating that anyone hanging around will be $ fined, etc. FYI, that old McDonald's should have been leveled yrs ago and perhaps moved back further and built as a 2 level mega-McDonald's and leave out a playground. It became more of a school play yard yrs ago. There is a great example of a non-play ground McDonald's over here in Westchase District. It is state of the art. Can we see anything like that being built in Near East End? I know dream on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HedwigTramp Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 The Avalon was at 743 South 75th St. According to Cinema Houston, it was later known as the Capri, Fiesta, then the Living Hope Churchhttp://www.hcad.org/records/details.asp?ta...t=0410300000280For at least a short time (in the early 70s?) it was a porn theater. To this day I still remember driving by the theater and reading the marquee outside announcing the feature flix: "A Hard man is good to find"... i thought it was one of the best Porn titles.///no I did not visit the place nor see the film Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PapillionWyngs Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 They had a very nice restaurant there. That's where I had my first Chef's Salad, when we thought anything called a salad had to be good for you. They remodeled the lobby and dining room to that beautiful two story building that was apparently torn down. Nice memories. We would go there every Sunday after church. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NenaE Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 (edited) Anyone know how many incarnations there were of the Helena?It was first Helena Tourist Court, then in the early sixties changed to motel, and the current HCAD record lists a build date of 1969/1970 (retail/restaurant designation, though - not motel). Helena Motel, Inc. (owned by Helen T. Bell) was chartered on July 22, 1960 (approved by Duncan Hines!) I know no one has asked, but I'm gonna tell you anyway ...before the Holiday Inn stood on the site at Gulf Frwy & Wayside, there was the "Idylwood Tourist Courts". These courts were obviously very popular in their day, they seemed to have been everywhere. (This info. was found on the on-line Sanborn Maps, available through the library now, no special passwords needed, just a Houston library card no. & a lot of patience). Edited November 14, 2008 by NenaE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 I guess if anyone is interested in documenting the construction of a Taco Cabana at this local now is the time. The sign is about to go up and palms have been added.Wish we knew where the Burger King is to be built? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted December 31, 2008 Share Posted December 31, 2008 Wish we knew where the Burger King is to be built? Answering my own question, The BK looks to be going up quite swiftly. That new street they added seems so unusual though. Hopefully developers will now realize how much of a $$$ this visibliity will do for most business's. Great prespective from 45 coming & going out of downtown. This only took what, about 30 plus years to come to fruition? Keep up the momentum and continue the progress all the way in to DT please! Out with the old in with the new! (Champagne toast) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Any one need a job? The new Burger King is ready for a grand opening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samantha.villagome Posted May 11, 2019 Share Posted May 11, 2019 In 1976 I lied about my age and the Helena Motel on Wayside & Gulfreway hired me as a Dishwasher! I often went upstairs to get the dirty dishes and stainless steel trays and clean the steam table and haul the stuff downstairs to the restaurant. The "Zodiac Club" upstairs was very elegant and Las Vegas like a club! served jumbo sized Mixed drinks and shrimp and other delicious food all on the steam table! upstairs and they had a very beautiful SWEEPING staircase and a few chandeliers hung very nicely descending the staircase the dining room on the ground floor overlooking the glamorous swimming pool! and all covered with linen tablecloths! and Redcarpet wall to wall Like the Windsor plaza on Richmond Ave. I never have seen such opulence in all my life real silverware on the tables and even a Breakfast counter for Truckers too! the Dining room was off the front where the floor to ceilings windows! The beverage station in the middle that's I put tea, and Ice and pitchers. The entrance doors were glass & chrome and electrically closed and opened when I stepped in the rubber mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Sheffield Posted February 19, 2022 Share Posted February 19, 2022 (edited) Hello! My name is Colton Sheffield, I am the Great Grandson of the owner of the Helena Court Motel; Helen W. Bell, and the grandson of the General Manager, Lum E. Twilligear Jr. While I was born after he sold the Motel, I grew up with stories of its running. My mother (Marie ‘Kim’ Twilligear, now Sheffield) and her siblings (Lum E. Twilligear III, or Tre, Karen Twilligear, now Marshall, and Malen Twilligear, now Dell) all worked at the Motel from the late 60s to 70s at one point or another. My Grandmother, Leatrice Cemo Twilligear, also was involved at the motel, but I’m not sure to what degree. My grandad, Lum Jr, sold the Motel around the early 90s, and tore down everything but the restaurant, and rented it out for a few years. I was born in 01, so I can’t give direct dates, and what I know comes from my family, but in the late 90s he sold the remaining property. After it ceased being the Helena Motel, he was not involved. Lum died in 2010 of a heart attack, and his wife Leatrice died in 2012 of Stomach & Liver Cancer. All of their children are surviving as of 2022. Edited February 19, 2022 by C.Sheffield 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.