Historic Houston Amusement Parks & Places

[houwest]

I am positive the park and the coaster were still there and operating in spring of 1964. That was the year I got my driver's license and I took a date there. I remember it so vividly because my cute little 16 year old date earped on me on the roller coaster. I saw her a coupe of years ago at a class reunion, and I know she remembers it. She still didn't think it was so funny.

[Earlydays]

I am positive the park and the coaster were still there and operating in spring of 1964. That was the year I got my driver's license and I took a date there. I remember it so vividly because my cute little 16 year old date earped on me on the roller coaster. I saw her a coupe of years ago at a class reunion, and I know she remembers it. She still didn't think it was so funny.

I remember Playland Park also...it was definitely there in 1964.

[jakdad]

Interesting thing about the Storm in 1943. The reason there was so much damage and loss of life is that no one was warned. This was World War II and we had a couple of German U-Boats patroling in the Gulf. Consequently we maintained radio silence about the storm. As it turned out, It came right down the Houston ship channel. I was a little kid but I remember the glass being blown out of our windows and all the rain comming in. Another spin off story about Playland.

[FilioScotia]

Interesting thing about the Storm in 1943. The reason there was so much damage and loss of life is that no one was warned. This was World War II and we had a couple of German U-Boats patroling in the Gulf. Consequently we maintained radio silence about the storm. As it turned out, It came right down the Houston ship channel. I was a little kid but I remember the glass being blown out of our windows and all the rain comming in. Another spin off story about Playland.

You're remembering a storm known to local historians as "The Surprise Hurricane of 1943." KUHF Houston Public Radio did a big story about it last year in its lead-up to hurricane season.

Full transcript with photos and audio at http://www.kuhf.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctr...le&id=20508

[jakdad]

You're remembering a storm known to local historians as "The Surprise Hurricane of 1943." KUHF Houston Public Radio did a big story about it last year in its lead-up to hurricane season.

Full transcript with photos and audio at http://www.kuhf.org/site/News2?news_iv_ctr...le&id=20508

The U-166 was sunk off the coast of Louisana in 5000 feet of water. Good job guys!!!

[Sparky]

I remember Playland Park also...it was definitely there in 1964.

Hi Earlydays. Yes the park was still there in 1964, but not in 1965. The ground breaking for the Astrodome was Jan. 3, 1962. Murworth street was not there at that time, so Playland was. April 9, l965 was when the exhibition game between the Astros & New York Yankees was held. Murworth Street had been constructed and Playland was gone. Hope this clears up the demise of the park. Sparky

[LarryDallas]

Speaking of amusement spots....does anyone remember the murders at the Malibu Grand Prix (SW location) in 1983?

I went there a few times as a kid in the late 80s but reading this article below some 20 years later gives me the creeps. I never went into the restroom there but still. The building still stands to this day but I'm not sure what is in there.

http://www.baylor.edu/Lariat/news.php?acti...amp;story=11287

[Westbury69]

I moved to Houston in August of 1963 (age 12) and vaguely remember Playland Park was still in existence, but run down and soon gone. BTW, I was at the April 9, 1965 Astrodome opening game and still have my ticket stub.

[legolo]

I remem(ber the Malibu Grand Prix murders. I graduated high school in 1987 and we used to go there to play video games and ride the go karts my freshman year. I think it went out of business after that incident.

I remember spending a couple of summers at Astroworld. Remember when HISD would reward kids with perfect attendence with a full free day at the end of the school year? That "free day" was always a total zoo. I used to get the "93Q"? season pass the summers of middle school and spend the entire summer there with my best friend. I remember seeing concerts in the back lot throughout the years (Molly Hatchet, Heart....). We would ride the Cliffhanger over and over until we couldn't stand up straight.

I have older memories of a farmers market/flee market with an ice rink next to what is now Memorial City. I also remeber one of those pony ride parks out west on Westheimer. In high school, we used to go to a laser tag that was somewhere off Bellaire and Gessner (?) I only remember the general location - it was made in what had been an old Safeway grocery store I think and had a second story catwalk where you could view the players below and read on TV screens what the scores were.

[Alpha]

II have older memories of a farmers market/flee market with an ice rink next to what is now Memorial City. I also remeber one of those pony ride parks out west on Westheimer.

The flea market / ice rink was in Town & Country. It was torn down when the mall was built - early 80s. The kiddie amusement park on Westheimer was Wee Wild West.

[Gurgis]

What a great memory! I am 52 years old and grew up in Bellaire & Sharpstown until I was 9. Mom & Dad used to take me to ride those ponies at OST & Main. One of my early childhood fond memories.

Other memories in Houston as a child . . .

* Movies at the Trail Drive In, and the new Sharpstown Drive In.

* A big discount store on Hillcroft in Sharpstown called "Globe".

* That jingle . . ."Summer winter spring or fall, stroll in the air conditioned mall, with one stop to shop for all, at Sharpstown Center."

* U-Tote-M was a fairly large chain of convenience stores in those days. Their radio jingle? "Just in case anyone should ask you, you tell 'em U-Tote-M." Their sign incorporated a totem pole.

Yeah, these stand out in my mind too;

* I remember a Globe store, but it was on the opposite side of the 610 West Loop from Meyerland Mall (alongside Beechnut). I found a metallic storage container the other day, with a Globe price sticker on it.

* I remember the many U-Tote-M stores and wonderful totem pole signs

* I remember a drive-in movie theater near Hillcroft and Bellaire.

* There was a restaurant I think called Across the Street, on Hillcroft near Westheimer, and people placed their meal orders by phones at the table

JR

[isuredid]

Did I read on HAIF somewhere that the Roller Coaster at Luna Park was moved to Playland Park when Luna Park closed down?

[Gwendolynn]

I saw a post a LONG while back by Ojy in this and another forum (where I'll be copying this post) She never did scan in all those family photos.. she's my sister, so I'll apologize for her (she's had a kiddo and is about to have another one, and they kill brain cells, ya know).

So, here's random photo I found of the car rides at Kiddie Wonderland

http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/seributra_d/kw1975.JPG (not embedding it because it's not stored on my own space yet)

Here's a black and white gallery I found while web-crawling which shows some of the ugliness that was our amusement park, there towards the end: FZC photography- Kiddie Wonderland

I saved this forum in my bookmarks so I can share if I come across more (or if, heaven forbid, I manage to get access to the family albums and scan in ours, hehe).

[Vertigo58]

I saw a post a LONG while back by Ojy in this and another forum (where I'll be copying this post) She never did scan in all those family photos.. she's my sister, so I'll apologize for her (she's had a kiddo and is about to have another one, and they kill brain cells, ya know).

So, here's random photo I found of the car rides at Kiddie Wonderland

http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/seributra_d/kw1975.JPG (not embedding it because it's not stored on my own space yet)

Here's a black and white gallery I found while web-crawling which shows some of the ugliness that was our amusement park, there towards the end: FZC photography- Kiddie Wonderland

I saved this forum in my bookmarks so I can share if I come across more (or if, heaven forbid, I manage to get access to the family albums and scan in ours, hehe).

The FCZ link worked well but the first opended blank? Anyway the FCZ pics were so cool! I clearly remember how the kiddie rides had that neat dated look of the 1940's or 50's style or Googie / retro I guess.

We never thought even taking pictures when we would take my little nephew (then) around 86 maybe to ride the ponies. I remember the poor ponies looked so tired and worn out and the little donkey was always in the background just grazing and hanging out. Boy if those funny littlle animals could talk! Right!

[NenaE]

I remember the poor ponies looked so tired and worn out and the little donkey was always in the background just grazing and hanging out. Boy if those funny littlle animals could talk! Right!

According to me, when I was 5 or 6 yrs. old, the black or brown ponies were the fastest! You know, you could pick which one you wanted to ride, at the Pasadena place (at least). I believe it was a white pony that jumped the fence, and trotted off with sis (at Park Place)...don't worry, he didn't go far. I'll say it again, Strange what we can remember...

[Gwendolynn]

The FCZ link worked well but the first opended blank? Anyway the FCZ pics were so cool! I clearly remember how the kiddie rides had that neat dated look of the 1940's or 50's style or Googie / retro I guess.

Hrmm.. I'm not sure what's up with the first link.. I tried it five times and it opened for three of them. Try copying the link into a new browser window maybe?, that way worked both times I did it.

[Native Son]

Wow you guys bring back memories,

Can't say I know much about Playland, but I sure spent some time at the various Malibu fun centers around town. Which there were at least three that I went to regularly. First as a young kid, then a teen and later took my kids to as well.

The first where the triple homicides took place was at 59 and Westpark, right at the curve. The place was doomed even before this happened, mainly due to the neighborhood it was in, or near I should say. "The Gulfton ghetto"

The second was probably better known as Malibu "Castle" fun center, on 610 about two blocks up from Old Katy Rd. This place only recently closed down, what a shame! I have so many memories from here, with all the little houses and castles around the golf courses all lit up at night. Took several dates here durring high school. Ahhh....Good Times, Great Oldies! LOL

The third was on the North side of town. This was Malibu/Watercoaster. The water slides were built into the side of a big hill, and were constructed from concrete. This particular one closed down well before the other two. Dont know the year though. There was also another Watercoster place on Galveston Island near Stewart beach.

All three had the same Malibu race cars, but Castle fun center was the only one with mini golf, bumper boats and batting cages. It was far and away the best Mini golf in Houston. Mountasia just doesn't have the same feel this place did.

Games People Play, thats another one. On 1960 in the Champions area. What a waterslide that was, Huge wooden water tower with the three slides comming out of it. (Anyone remember Sawmill run?)

Now the Putt Putt/Games People Play on Fondren and Beechnut was where I went most often. This started life as just a Putt Putt golf center, then later became GPP and added an arcade and go carts. Some of the best times I had as boy with my dad were here, when it was just Putt Putt. If I close my eye's I can still hear KC and the Sunshine band playing over the PA system at Putt Putt, and get a little chill when I do.

Those times down at Sea Arama were great too. BTW in response to a post made long ago. The name of the park next to here was Jungle Surf, another favorite.

Who here remembers the clock/puppet show thing that they used to have at Sharpstown Mall, back when Sharpstown was just a one story shopping center. This thing went off every hour or half hour, and we used to sit in the drug store snack bar waiting till time for it to go off. Those were the days!

Question for anyone,

We went many times to the mini golf place on Belfort. Was it "Gooney" or "Goofy" golf? I seem to remember it being Goofy golf for some reason.

Regards,

Rhino

It was Goony Golf, I worked there for about year while I was in highschool...place had THE NASiEST BATHROOMS IN TOWN!

[cannon24]

A friend of mine mentioned a kiddie place called Wee Wild West. I went there as a kid (60's) but have no idea where it was. Anybody remember that one?

That was on Westheimer a little west of where the Galleria is now, near where Yorktown comes out.

[robhan]

I bet someone has mentioned this but was there not a a big dlide on Alameda?

[Larry Brown]

>"arrow" never made it to the Bubble at Gateway swimming pool and wants to know how you could breath in it.

Gateway swimming pool, that's why I'm here. It was a large aquatic complex located on Main street near Kirby. Now there is a mini-storage facility built on the front part of that property, the back part and adjoining lot are overgrown and might still yield some Gateway artifacts.

*The Bubble: Gateway pool featured diving boards and a high dive, the deep end was 18 feet, that's about the deepest pool I've ever seen. At the bottom of the deep end was a "bubble," which was a clear dome made of fiberglass or plexiglass, rimmed with a metal band. Maybe 3 feet in diameter and about 1.5 feet from the rim of the dome to its highest point in the center...that is, just enough for you to stick your head up in it. It floated about 3 feet above the bottom of the pool, being chained to the bottom of the pool with 3 chains that were stiffend with metal sheathing. Directly below the dome the bottom of the pool was pierced with a hole from which air bubbled. The air rose toward the surface of the water and got trapped under the dome, forcing water out of the dome and creating an underwater air pocket. You swam down to the bottom and popped your head up into the dome. The water level stayed beneath your chin and you could then stay down there as long as you liked, breathing fresh air and watching surface action thru the clear dome. The bubbles kept the air fresh. Some kids told me about smoking down there, that would have taken some ingenuity with plastic baggies. 18' is a long way down, it took me several years to be able to make it. The first time I made it I was so surprised. I was afraid to go into the bubble, so I swam a circle around it, examining it warily. The next dive I went ahead and entered it and then enjoyed it from there on out. I've never seen nor heard of anything like this. It seems like it would carry a lot of risk. For one thing, there's no way the life guards can monitor people who are spending extended periods of time 18' down. For another, it seems like there would be a risk of surfacing too fast with a lung full of air under 18' of pressure. Anyway, I can tell you this, it was great fun and it made me a good deep water swimmer.

*The bobber: This was some sort of converted deep sea buoy. It was anchored by steel tethers in 5' of water. It was shaped like a ball with half of it submerged and half out of the water. On top, jutting towards the sky, was a pole with a ladder, rising up about 6' from the ball with a crow's nest on top. You climbed up into the crow's nest and tried to rock the bobber back and forth. The goal was to rock it 90 degrees and touch the water. I didn't even weigh 100 lbs at the time, so I never could rock it very much.

*There was a large, rectangular trampoline.

*There was a large table set with a maze, thru which I think you started tops spinning and they battled it out. I never saw this in operation so I'm not sure what it was.

*There was a seperate indoor facility that housed a large pool and was used for swim meets and training.

>Regarding the Playland park:

The one in Houston was Texas first amusement park. There was a sister park in San >Antonio from 1947 to 1980. The giant 2 humped rollercoaster that was the Houston landmark served as the logo of the corporation. There is a wikipedia articla and a book on the San Antonio park: http://www.playlandparkbook.com/index.html

>TexasCE "I can't believe so many people remember Kiddie Wonderland.

Kidde Wonderland on S. Main near Braeswood: I would be amazed if many people didn't remember it. That thing seemed to hang on and on and on. Someone here mentioned that it opened in the early 50s. I went to it as a kid in the early 60s. I was amazed that it continued to hang around in the late 70s, having most of it packed up in the early 70s and just the pony ride left. When it continued to hang around into the 80s, I was utterly shocked. I don't know when it finally closed down, but it was there for at least 30 years.

>"Norhill Dennis" asks about the baseball stadium formerly located on the site of Finger's: The Finger's Fabulous Furniture showroom near 45 and Cullen has a snackbar that doubles as a sports museum dedicated to the baseball stadium that was home to the Houston Colt 45s. There is a home plate there that is in the same location as the former stadiums home plate. Stop by and visit the museum anytime during business hours.

>Roym posts a picture of a 3 hump coaster.

That's a fabulous photo, but the one at the Playland here in Houston was only 2 humps.

>BigDukem69 wants to know where S.Main drive in was and kiddie park underneath the screen.

South Main drive-in was located at the Y intersection of S. Main and Stella Link. That lot is now occupied by a commercial warehouse strip center.

>hbcu mentions Peppermint park, and someone else mentions confusing Peppermint and Playland parks:

Both parks were instantly recognizeable Houston landmarks: Playland Park featured 2 giant rollercoaster humps, and Peppermint Park was an indoor park that was housed in a giant tin single-story building that was painted in vertical pink and white candy stripes. That tin building was moved and still stands, candy stripes and all, as an automotive body shop, visible from 59 but further south, down closer to highway 90. I don't see how anyone can confuse a candy stripe painted building called "Peppermint Park" with anything else.

>Someone mentions Westwood mall and its 2-story merry go round:

That same, or a similar, Merry Go Round is now housed in Memorial City mall.

>belmontdrew wants to know if anyone remembers Games People play.

Yeah, I remember that. That's actually still there and was still operating until recently (as of 2008). It's main attraction was batting cages for the next 20 years after its "games people play" heyday. It also feature the mini-golf course for many more years.

[Larry Brown]

This photo of the dome is awesome, but it's no good for showing Playland park. You are right, Playland would be out of the frame of the photo, to the left. In this photo you are at the south east of the dome looking north west. You can tell because you can see downtown, and the Shamrock in the background. The street at 9 o'clock on the photo is Murworth, heading due west from the Dome.

Playland would be south of what you can see here, at 610 and Main. Since you can't see 610 from here, you can't see Playland.

It could possibly be just left of the photo but I don't remember it being there opening day in April of '65

Regarding Goony Golf, we went by there once long after it had been razed. It must have been sitting vacant for at least 10 years. We found a golf ball. Amazing....

Hey RhinoVP: I remember the "Clock of Texas" from Sharpstown mall. I'm amazed that I never hear anyone talking or asking about that.

Here is a picture!!! I wish someone would post a video with sound of it.

[NenaE]

Welcome Larry Brown & thanks for all the detailed info on the amusements, but one minor detail I have to correct, the Peppermint Park roof was painted red & white stripes (to resemble candy canes), not pink.

[Disastro]

This photo of the dome is awesome, but it's no good for showing Playland park. You are right, Playland would be out of the frame of the photo, to the left. In this photo you are at the south east of the dome looking north west. You can tell because you can see downtown, and the Shamrock in the background. The street at 9 o'clock on the photo is Murworth, heading due west from the Dome.

Playland would be south of what you can see here, at 610 and Main. Since you can't see 610 from here, you can't see Playland.

It could possibly be just left of the photo but I don't remember it being there opening day in April of '65

Regarding Goony Golf, we went by there once long after it had been razed. It must have been sitting vacant for at least 10 years. We found a golf ball. Amazing....

Hey RhinoVP: I remember the "Clock of Texas" from Sharpstown mall. I'm amazed that I never hear anyone talking or asking about that.

Here is a picture!!! I wish someone would post a video with sound of it.

Man! I had forgotten about that clock!

Very cool pic! Talk about a blast from the past...

[RhinoVP]

Hey RhinoVP: I remember the "Clock of Texas" from Sharpstown mall. I'm amazed that I never hear anyone talking or asking about that.

Here is a picture!!! I wish someone would post a video with sound of it.

DUDE!!!!

How did you ever find that? Thank you.

That's the way I remember it too, with the flag's and rope around it. Although I seem to recall it being just in shades of blue, that would have been about five years after this photo though.

That used to pass as an attraction back in those day's. People would stand around waiting for that clock to go off. We would sit in that Walgreens and pass the time with a soda and pretzel for however long it was going to be, then go finish whatever shoping we had to do.

Wonderful times those were....

[Poppahop]

My dad just had some Super 8 footage made into a DVD and there's probably three or four minutes of Kiddie Wonderland on there. The footage dates from 1972 or '73. There are also a few shots from the Rodeo Carnival and others shot on a snow day here. There's some cool scenes of hippy girls on the corner of Westheimer and Mt Vernon pelting cars with snowballs.

[roym]

My dad just had some Super 8 footage made into a DVD and there's probably three or four minutes of Kiddie Wonderland on there. The footage dates from 1972 or '73. There are also a few shots from the Rodeo Carnival and others shot on a snow day here. There's some cool scenes of hippy girls on the corner of Westheimer and Mt Vernon pelting cars with snowballs.

That would be awesome to see!! Can you post it somewhere?

[Vertigo58]

I'm just replying because of your awesome "Kitirick" avatar!

We kids used to worship her!

[Poppahop]

That would be awesome to see!! Can you post it somewhere?

Working on it.

[Gwendolynn]

Working on it.

I can't wait!! Some of my best memories are from growing up at Kiddie Wonderland (ya, how many kids get to say the LIVED at an amusement park?!). Heck, I still the t-shirt my mom made me wear with the likeness of a park ticket printed on it so that folks could return me to office if I wandered off. Those were the days.

[RhinoVP]

Wow! That's a great old video from Astroworld.

Thanks for posting.

Edited July 18, 2008 by RhinoVP