Jake Freedman Domain Privee Casino & Residences At 11083 Old Main Street Rd.

[Alpha]

Off Topic...

I taught at the Town & Country school for one semester in 1971. I tried to find the location on the current maps, but I can't remember the address and couldn't find anything that looked like the campus. If you could tell me the address, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

[emscougar]

I found a Google Book about Houston that mentions the Jackie Freedman gambling spot...

LINK.

Kevin Jackson

That one page just answered a lot of questions, then after it sunk in, a million more popped up.

It was actually my grand mother who took me to that mansion, I was an in-family adoption from daughter to mother, my grand parents took me home from the hospital and I have always called them mom and dad. I referred to my grandfather like that in my original post to keep the timeline straight, in the peoples minds who would read it.

My dad, (grandfather) was the president of the National Association of Independent Insurance Adjusters back then. He talked about the mansion, and I have always been under the impression that William P Hobby was the owner, but now find that it was Jakie Freedman, a close friend. Now,...from what I was told, just a few years before I was born in 65, they had a ratty apartment and office on Tulane ave. But before we moved to Sugar Creek in 72, I was brought up in a large house on south Mcgreggor, with an indoor swimming pool, a Coachman motor home that we traveled the country in during summer months, I had nannies and maids when my parents were at work. Which was a small white office building on Del Rio near OST. We also had a yacht in Galveston Marina. My dad drove a corvair. Mom's sister still has a 300 acre ranch in west texas. I am now starting to wonder where all the money came from all of a sudden. Why would my mom take me to an old abandoned mansion, and climb the gate to explore an old house that you could only see the roof of because of the jungle?

Obviously this place was not open to the public, how would my dad know about the govorner, and the alligators? I remember my parents taking me into hiding once, someone was out to kidnap me, we stayed at lavish hotels with doormen and the works. I was told it was just some fruit cake out to get money from my family, by the name of Vaughn Watts.(spelling?)

And why do I have such a strong emotional and mental attachment to an old house that went to oblivion over 30 years ago?

I think it's about time to have a sit down with my sister/biological mother, My dad is deceased, and mom is not lucid now.

Coug.

[emscougar]

Off Topic...

I taught at the Town & Country school for one semester in 1971. I tried to find the location on the current maps, but I can't remember the address and couldn't find anything that looked like the campus. If you could tell me the address, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks

I just checked the sattelite map,looks like old main street loop road. dont know the exact address, but will prolly swing by there later today. I visited a few years ago and I think they said they were shutting down. looking at the pic it appears that the small kidney shaped pool is still there, the one I learned to swim in. WOW technology is a mind blower. Being able to actually check on something like that from my couch.....back then was pure fantasy.

coug.

[SecondTour]

Here is a cropped view of the 1960 photo.

Here is the area currently.

[Subdude]

Note duplicate topics merged.

[emscougar]

Note duplicate topics merged.

How do I get the most recent topics to the top?

Ok, folks, any help here would be appreciated....I am having trouble finding info on Jakie and the domain. Talked with my sister, she adamantly denies mom and dad having anything to do with the place. But this is getting spooky,......I found out that Vinson & Elkins law firm handled his will. He was friends with the lot of them, even taking some to the kentucky derby each year. I'll give y'all one guess as to where mom worked as a legal secretary before opening Herring Claims Adjusters with dad.

Coug.

[carol802]

Does anyone have info on the old mansion (looked like a plantation house to me) that was at the curve on S. Main on the right past Stella Link but before Hiram Clarke? It was on the right on what seemed to me to be a rise. I looked on Google and can see what I think is the outline for the old house and a driveway up to it. I used to look at it through binoculars from my upstairs window facing Willowbend. I imagined it was some sort of 30's gambling casino. There was always something going on late at night in the 60's because I could see comings & goings after the drive-in went dark.

Is there any history/articles/books about this area prior to the late 40's early 50's when they started building neighborhoods for returning vets? Woodhaven and Woodcraft (off Stella Link before Willowbend) were some of the first neighborhoods. Lots of tear downs and MacMansions going up on Woodhaven. There couldn't have been much out there and I wondered how much of the land the homeowners might of had at the time.

Thanks for any input. I love this website.

[fortbendtomontrose]

You may be talking about the 'Domain Privee' which was a swanky club and casino for high-rollers

back in the day. If you do a search on this site you'll find out lots of info.

Could it have looked like this?

Does anyone have info on the old mansion (looked like a plantation house to me) that was at the curve on S. Main on the right past Stella Link but before Hiram Clarke? It was on the right on what seemed to me to be a rise. I looked on Google and can see what I think is the outline for the old house and a driveway up to it. I used to look at it through binoculars from my upstairs window facing Willowbend. I imagined it was some sort of 30's gambling casino. There was always something going on late at night in the 60's because I could see comings & goings after the drive-in went dark.

Is there any history/articles/books about this area prior to the late 40's early 50's when they started building neighborhoods for returning vets? Woodhaven and Woodcraft (off Stella Link before Willowbend) were some of the first neighborhoods. Lots of tear downs and MacMansions going up on Woodhaven. There couldn't have been much out there and I wondered how much of the land the homeowners might of had at the time.

Thanks for any input. I love this website.

Edited December 8, 2008 by fortbendtomontrose

[carol802]

Oh my goodness! That's it. The northern portion of land across the road (Old South Main Loop I think) is where the S.Main drive-in was later built. I will look at the threads. It always fascinated me. I love this website.

[nm5k]

I imagined it was some sort of 30's gambling casino. There was always something going on late at night in the 60's because I could see comings & goings after the drive-in went dark.

Your imagination is quite accurate! Because that's exactly what it was.

But.. It closed in the early 50's, and the owner "Jakie Freedman" moved to Vegas and

started the Sands casino.

In the 60's I imagine it was abandoned as it was in the early 70's when we

used to go in there. So the comings and goings were most likely people

going in there to party, drink beer, etc..

That's what we did..

Of course, I guess it could have been legally occupied in the 60's, but

I sort of doubt it judging by the condition of the place in the early 70's.

There is really not much left on the grounds to indicate what was there.

It was all bulldozed and mowed flat, and a fence placed all around the land.

Now, I think new buildings have gone up on the site.

But... unless they have been recently been removed by the new builders,

there is one trace of the old place left. On Old Main, you can still see the

old cement curbs to the entrance of the driveway.

Back when we used to go there, there was also another regular house

a bit farther to the east on the same side of the street, closer to main.

It was lived in back in the 70's. But there is not a trace of it now.

There is at least one other thread about then place, and maybe more..

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...mp;#entry277740

[carol802]

I bet you are right about the late night teenage parties back then. I could see it after the drive-in went dark so no doubt that was many of the kids leaving & going there. I also imagined the history more like "Gone With the Wind" thinking that the house was much older than the 30's. Do we know that it was newly built by Mr. Freedman or an older home & grounds taken over & livened up? Someone may have told me as a child about it's casino past and I thought I was seeing ghosts! Sounds like it would make a good backdrop for a book.

[Rammer]

The Hollywood Dinner Club. The first big Maceo brothers enterprise. It was opened in 1925 and closed in 1939 after a narcotics bust. It boasted gaming tables and fine dining and featured nationally known performers and celebrities. There's an apocryphal story that a Dinner Club bandleader, desperate because of an absent trumpet player, gave a chance to a young kid from Beaumont named Harry James. Later it was used as a storage area for furniture and old gaming equipment from the Balinese Room.

The Hollywood Dinner Club building stood vacant (except for storage) from 1939 until it was destroyed by a fire in 1959. Here are a couple of pictures from the Rosenberg Library, reprinted in Frank Chalfant's book "Galveston: Island of Chance"

HDC in its heyday:

HDC, vacant and neglected in 1957 before the 1959 fire

Great photos.

From the Galveston Architecture Guidebook: 'At 2301 61st Street and Avenue R is the site of the Maceo brothers' famous roadhouse, the Hollywood Dinner Club. It burned in 1959 and was not rebuilt'

There is a Jack-in-the-Box at that location today.

[theoriginalkj]

My father-in-law was a native Houstonian, and he used to talk about an old illegal casino/brothel(?) out Hwy 90. He said it existed after WWII and up into the 1950's. There was an old brick gatehouse just west of the current Beltway on the south side of 90 that he said belonged to the casino...does anyone know about this, or was my late father-in-law yankin' my chain?

Here is an article from the January 2, 1976 Houston Chronicle detailing the final demise of the 'Domain Privee' structure at 11000 Old Main. Apparently built in 1940 and closed in mid-1951, the structure sat abandoned for another 25 years until being burned to the ground in a fire.

[marketingwiz]

Here is a cropped view of the 1960 photo.

Here is the area currently.

Pardon my ineptness, but I cannot tell from the first photo (cropped 60's shot) where the mansion, driveway, etc. is. I'm assuming it's still standing in the 1960 pic but I cannot see it. Can anyone enlighten me as to where the structure/compound is shown on the early photo? I try to use the 'star' and 'diamond' shapes that were etched into the yard to pinpoint its location but don't see them. Thanks in advance for your help.

[marmer]

Pardon my ineptness, but I cannot tell from the first photo (cropped 60's shot) where the mansion, driveway, etc. is. I'm assuming it's still standing in the 1960 pic but I cannot see it. Can anyone enlighten me as to where the structure/compound is shown on the early photo? I try to use the 'star' and 'diamond' shapes that were etched into the yard to pinpoint its location but don't see them. Thanks in advance for your help.

[NenaE]

The Balinese Room in Galveston has always fascinated me. I am amazed that it is still standing, not only from the "tear down the old - way of thinking", but also from the fact that it is sitting out over the surf. The seashore elements have not disintegrated it. It is still there, right? I think it should be on an episode of "If These Walls Could Talk".

Sad to run across this old statement of mine...never would have thought the Balinese would soon be destroyed by mother nature. I grew up with it.

BTW - I passed by that J. Freedman property today, was actually was on the expressway. Just realized that the Brocksteins bldg. was close by.

[theoriginalkj]

Sad to run across this old statement of mine...never would have thought the Balinese would soon be destroyed by mother nature. I grew up with it.

BTW - I passed by that J. Freedman property today, was actually was on the expressway. Just realized that the Brocksteins bldg. was close by.

Yes. I tried finding some old photos of the Brocksteins building, in hopes that perhaps a good shot of the Domain Privee might be in the background - but to no avail. The only shot I have found is the Houston Chronicle burn photo posted last week. I'd love a better shot of what the place looked like in it's hay-day. On a completely seperate note (and I know this has been covered here) does anyone know FOR SURE whether or not Old Main Street road that cross the railroad tracks down at the end of the street here, whether or not it curved south and crossed the railroad tracks a SECOND time and joins up with Highway 90!? Some maps indicate that it did, most maps indicate that it didn't. There are remnants of the old Main Street road bed across the tracks to clearly follow it but there is no actual evidence that the road ever crossed the tracks again and met Highway 90. Does anyone know for certain?

[Native Son]

hope the link works

http://www.historicaerials.com/?poi=6578

according to the shot from Historicaerial.com the Old Main Loop did not meet up with Alt 90

Edited July 9, 2009 by Native Son

[theoriginalkj]

hope the link works

http://www.historicaerials.com/?poi=6578

according to the shot from Historicaerial.com the Old Main Loop did not meet up with Alt 90

Thank you for that historic arial. If you follow the apparent old road of Old Main down the rest of the way, it does look like it comes all the way to the other side of the hedges from Highway 90. It even turns abruptly to the left and faces Highway 90, but doesn't come in contact with it. Hmm...

[nm5k]

Yes. I tried finding some old photos of the Brocksteins building, in hopes that perhaps a good shot of the Domain Privee might be in the background - but to no avail. The only shot I have found is the Houston Chronicle burn photo posted last week. I'd love a better shot of what the place looked like in it's hay-day.

I think the best overhead shot taken while in operation is the one on page two of this

thread. The post by "emscougar" has a link to it. You can clearly see the lawn art, etc.

I think it was one of the pictures in a collection from another site. "Bailey" maybe?

I forgot.. Anyway, it's the best picture I've seen of the place so far, and I think it

was still open when that picture was taken.

[sevfiv]

Here's an advertisement for Sam Maceo's Hollywood Dinner Club circa 1932:

[kerleq]

I know that this is a 2008 topic but I accidently stumbled upon it and it brought back memories. My fathers sister Natalie Petre, and my oldest sister Theresa and her husband Mike Carrier worked for Jake through all of the 50's. They had known Jake long before the Manson days. After the Mansion Jake went to Vegas and operated the Sands Casino. Theresa went on to work for Mrs Josey's family on Piping Rock and Natalie Petre, her two sons Sammie and Tony went with Jake to Vegas. Jake needed people he trusted to handle his home and personal life so that he could focus on his business.

Sammie had been a mechanic in the US Army and he became Jakes driver. Jake did not like flying so he and Sam would drive back to Houston from Vegas to see his family. After two or three hard trips across the desert in his Cadillac, Jake changed his mind and began to use the commercial airline.

One of my aunts most favorite story while working and cooking for Jake was: Danny Thomas knew Jake well and he knew that Jake knew most of the high rollers in Vegas. In short he knew where to find money. Danny went over to Jakes for lunch and my aunt Natalie served a light meal and drinks. Danny began to tell Jake of his plans to start a foundation. A commitment to St. Jude that would require a substantial amount of money to get started. He ask for Jakes help in finding contributators. Jake came through and was able to help but what was so touching about her story was; during the conversation between Danny and Jake she overheard enough to ask Mr. Thomas if she could make a contribution. He kindly said yes. She reached into her purse and gave what she could and she was proud that he had allowed her to help. Aunt Natalie was a hardworking (domestic) kindly person who spent most of her time at the home of her employer. All that she had that was dear to her was her family, her church ( Our Mother of Mercy, 5th Ward) and Mr & Mrs Freedman. Their picture hung on her livingroom wall until the day she died. I will always remember the stories about the Mansion, small disagreements he had with Frank Sanatra, how much he mistrusted Glen McCathty and mayy more. Thanks for the memories.

Ron Kerelegon, Houston

[kerleq]

hope the link works

http://www.historica...s.com/?poi=6578

according to the shot from Historicaerial.com the Old Main Loop did not meet up with Alt 90

I know that this is a 2008 topic but I accidently stumbled upon it and it brought back memories. My fathers sister Natalie Petre, and my oldest sister Theresa and her husband Mike Carrier worked for Jake through all of the 50's. They had known Jake long before the Manson days. After the Mansion Jake went to Vegas and operated the Sands Casino. Theresa went on to work for Mrs Josey's family on Piping Rock and Natalie Petre, her two sons Sammie and Tony went with Jake to Vegas. Jake needed people he trusted to handle his home and personal life so that he could focus on his business.

Sammie had been a mechanic in the US Army and he became Jakes driver. Jake did not like flying so he and Sam would drive back to Houston from Vegas to see his family. After two or three hard trips across the desert in his Cadillac, Jake changed his mind and began to use the commercial airline.

One of my aunts most favorite story while working and cooking for Jake was: Danny Thomas knew Jake well and he knew that Jake knew most of the high rollers in Vegas. In short he knew where to find money. Danny went over to Jakes for lunch and my aunt Natalie served a light meal and drinks. Danny began to tell Jake of his plans to start a foundation. A commitment to St. Jude that would require a substantial amount of money to get started. He ask for Jakes help in finding contributators. Jake came through and was able to help but what was so touching about her story was; during the conversation between Danny and Jake she overheard enough to ask Mr. Thomas if she could make a contribution. He kindly said yes. She reached into her purse and gave what she could and she was proud that he had allowed her to help. Aunt Natalie was a hardworking (domestic) kindly person who spent most of her time at the home of her employer. All that she had that was dear to her was her family, her church ( Our Mother of Mercy, 5th Ward) and Mr & Mrs Freedman. Their picture hung on her livingroom wall until the day she died. I will always remember the stories about the Mansion, small disagreements he had with Frank Sanatra, how much he mistrusted Glen McCathty and mayy more. Thanks for the memories.

[emscougar]

I used one of the links to old sattelites that another poster had made, and was able zero in on this:

http://www.historica...96264&year=1966

you can zoom in and out all the way back to 1957 with amazing clarity, even better than I found on Google Earth.

Cougar!!

Edited June 11, 2012 by emscougar

[marketingwiz]

Cougar and Kerleq, thanks SO much for your contributions! The information you both provided is fascinating and I especially enjoyed hearing about your Aunt's personal experiences with Freedman and his associates, including movie stars from back in the day. I do remember my first visit to Las Vegas in the mid-60s with my parents and we stayed at the Sahara Hotel, which is now long gone. The entertainers performing there were Pat Boone and Harry James. My mother was beside herself because she saw both Harry James and his wife, the old Hollywood movie star, Betty Grable, at the hotel bar. And keeping in mind that this was long before LV became 'kid friendly,' I saw these tall, magnificent showgirls tanning topless at the Sahara pool to avoid tan lines. My mother threw a towel over my head and took me back to our room until it was "safe" to return.

[Subdude]

I used one of the links to old sattelites that another poster had made, and was able zero in on this:

http://www.historica...96264&year=1966

you can zoom in and out all the way back to 1957 with amazing clarity, even better than I found on Google Earth.

Cougar!!

Very cool. Even in the 1973 photo you can see some of the walkways and landscaping is gone.

[Simbha]

This thread reminds me of a story...

Some years back - maybe around a decade ago - I was driving along in the southwest part of the city with a splitting headache. I spied a retail drugstore in a strip center and decided to stop in for something to relieve it. I parked on the side of the drugstore and walked up to a door which I thought was an entrance. I opened it and stepped inside - into a dark lobby, behind which people were playing slots and video poker. A very large, muscular man was seated on a stool in front of me. In a low, deep growl, he asked, "Can I help you?"...

Me: Umm... This... isn't... the drugstore.

Him: Nope. It's next door.

Me: Oh, sorry. My mistake.

I turned to leave when he called out to me...

Him: Hey!

I turned back very slowly... "Yes?"

Him: You didn't see nuthin'

Me: Iiii didn't see... nuthin'

I never did get that headache medicine...

Edited June 18, 2012 by Simbha

[Starryart]

Would anyone like more information on the mansion? I can tell you what it looked like inside. My grandfather was the caretaker there for many years and he and grandma lived in the garage apartment. I would visit and stay with them in the summers- this was 1955 to 1967. After my grandpa died, my aunt lived there for a few years and when she moved out it went to ruin- about 1970 by that time and later it burned down.

 

 

[brhaltx]

I have friends who live on Craighead; maybe even at the time of the fire.  I'll have to ask about it.  Maybe they started the fire.

[IronTiger]

I thought I remember reading on this thread--maybe it was a similar one, about a serious high-roller illegal casino, like the "break your legs" type place. I specifically remember reading that the owner would send teenagers home without entry (but not without giving them something like a Coca-Cola)