Take A Walk Down Old Spanish Trl.

[Subdude]

Inspired by sevfiv's avatar

Royal Motel

1300 Old Spanish Trail

Demolished

http://xs41.xs.to/pics/05326/royalmotel.jpg

Sun Valley Hotel Courts

1310 OST

Demolished

http://xs41.xs.to/pics/05326/SunValley.jpg

Plaza Motel

1700 OST

Demolished

http://xs41.xs.to/pics/05326/plazamotel.jpg

Wallcroft Garden Motel Apartments

1857 OST

Demolished

http://xs41.xs.to/pics/05326/wallcroft.jpg

Western Skies Motel

2806 OST

Extant (?)

This opened in 1953 as a luxury motel. It had a putting green and riding stables.

http://xs41.xs.to/pics/05326/westernskies.jpg

Pioneer Motel

2902 OST

Status?

http://xs41.xs.to/pics/05326/pioneer.jpg

Ranger Motel (old)

2916 OST

Demolished

http://xs41.xs.to/pics/05326/ranger1.jpg

New Ranger Motel

You're never a stranger at the Ranger!

http://xs41.xs.to/pics/05326/ranger2.jpg

Stardust Motel

3350 OST

Demolished

http://xs41.xs.to/pics/05326/stardust.jpg

St. Francis Hotel Courts

3615 OST

Extant

http://xs41.xs.to/pics/05326/stfrancis.jpg

[YakuzaIce]

Great thread. Just curious have you just obtained all of these postcards/pics just over the years? Because you have quite an impressive collection.

[Subdude]

Auto Trading Center

3702 OST

Rainbow Inn

3713 OST

Extant last I checked

Frontier Restaurant

4107 OST

Demolished

The sign in the window says that Roy Rogers and Dale Evans are playing the rodeo at the Coliseum.

Alamo Plaza Motel

4343 OST

Extant

[Subdude]

Great thread.  Just curious have you just obtained all of these postcards/pics just over the years?  Because you have quite an impressive collection.

Yup, just sort of accumlated them. I like seeing how the city used to look.

[Subdude]

The cool googie-style porte-cochere at the Western Skies was removed while it was still open.

[57Tbird]

There was also a Western Skies on Katy Hwy/Hwy-90...now I-10. My wife and I spent the first night of our honeymoon in that motel. Both this one and the one on OST were owned by a Leon ?. He lived in a large house next to the first apartments we lived in on Scott, between North and South MacGregor. Wonder if anyone might have a picture of that Western Skies.

[Subdude]

There was also a Western Skies on Katy Hwy/Hwy-90...now I-10.  My wife and I spent the first night of our honeymoon in that motel.  Both this one and the one on OST were owned by a Leon ?.  He lived in a large house next to the first apartments we lived in on Scott, between North and South MacGregor.  Wonder if anyone might have a picture of that Western Skies.

Man you have a good memory! The other one was at 7809 Katy Road, and the Leon was Leon Green. Oh and the phone number was UN9-3588.

[57Tbird]

Man you have a good memory!  The other one was at 7809 Katy Road, and the Leon was Leon Green.  Oh and the phone number was UN9-3588. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Look who has the good memory! Thanks, Subdude! By the way, was that UN# UNderwood?

[Guest danax]

Great stuff, Subdude. The golden age of the motel. Of course now the chains have taken over and they're all along freeways. Well, I guess OST was a sort of freeway back then too. The names of those places sure show how Houston was once more "western" and "country" than it is now, although a lot of the country still thinks we're like that.

57tbird, now that you've become our resident "old-timer" let me ask you about where you mentioned you once lived, on Scott near McGregor. I had an older (born in 1944) black woman tell me how that area along Scott was once a hoppin jazz and blues spot, with name acts coming there on the "chitlin circuit" to play. Any recollections?

[57Tbird]

57tbird, now that you've become our resident "old-timer" let me ask you about where you mentioned you once lived, on Scott near McGregor. I had an older (born in 1944) black woman tell me how that area along Scott was once a hoppin jazz and blues spot, with name acts coming there on the "chitlin circuit" to play. Any recollections?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Lived there 1957-1958. Don't recall the spots you mention. We picked that location because it was centered, somewhat, between U of H, where I attended night school, and where I worked on OST at that time. I never went further north on Scott than N. MacGregor, when I was going to UH. I would guess the places to which you refer on Scott were north of there.

[Original Timmy Chan's]

Lived there 1957-1958.  Don't recall the spots you mention.  We picked that location because it was centered, somewhat, between U of H, where I attended night school, and where I worked on OST at that time.  I never went further north on Scott than N. MacGregor, when I was going to UH.  I would guess the places to which you refer on Scott were north of there.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One of the places you're probably referring to is Etta's, which is on Scott St just a few blocks north of MacGregor. It's still there, still open.

I believe Grady Gaines and the Texas Upsetters still play there every Sunday night as they have for decades. We used to go there when I was at UH in the 90's. It was a blast. I haven't been in 10 years...I keep saying we need to go back. It was always a good night of dancing and good music.

I tihnk the Houston Blues scene was centered in both the 3rd Ward and 5th Ward. I know that Lightnin Hopkins lived on Dowling for decades. The El Dorado Ballroom at Elgin and Dowling was a happening spot. And wasn't Duke-Peacock Records in 3rd Ward?

BTW, the only apartments I know of at Scott and MacGregor are at the southeast corner. They're still there, and they look like they've been there since the 50's (at least). In fact, it looks like they haven't been renovated since the 50's.

Also...thanks for the picture of the Alamo Plaza. It's still there and still looks as good as its postcard.

[Ashikaga]

Auto Trading Center

3702 OST

Rainbow Inn

3713 OST

Extant last I checked

Frontier Restaurant

4107 OST

Demolished

The sign in the window says that Roy Rogers and Dale Evans are playing the rodeo at the Coliseum.

Alamo Plaza Motel

4343 OST

Extant

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm a fan of Psycho. Would there happen to be a Bates Motel in Houston?

[sevfiv]

Western Skies:

[Subdude]

Great! Thanks for posting that! I didnt' realize that the Western Skies had a tiki bar on top of all the other amenties.

[Subdude]

I should post my old Sheraton-Lincoln brochure.

The closest thing we had to a modern version of the Western Skies was the old Allen Park Inn that closed after it flooded in 2001. The bar there was called, cleverly enough, "Cocktail Lounge", and the place somehow managed to be simultaneously swank and cheesy. I knew people who swore it was the best bar in town. That is where out-of-town film crews stayed in Houston when they filmed commercials or movies here.

[gnu]

Someone better get over to the Alamo Plaza on OST and take lots of pictures.

It popped up on HAR.com this morning, priced for LOT VALUE.

OR we can all pitch in to save it and make it HAIF headquarters

http://www.har.com/search/engine/indexdeta...=0&backButton=Y

PRICED AT LAND VALUE-2.642 ACRES=114,828 SQUARE FEET - 3 PARCELS LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF OST AND BLYTHWOOD - TR5B, TR 6G AND TR 6F. AT THE MOMENT THE PROPERTY HAS INCOME PRODUCING 52 UNIT MOTEL/EFFICIENCY, A TENANT OCCUPIED RESTAURANT AND LARGE PARKING AREAS. THERE IS NO SIGN. PLEASE CONTACT AGENT FOR A COPY OF THE PLAT AND INCOME AND EXPENSE INFORMATION. MINUTES AWAY FROM THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER, RICE UNIVERSITY, HERMAN PARK, THE 610 LOOP AND HIGHWAY 288.

Curent Photos from the listing:

Alamo Plaza Motel

4343 OST

Extant

[Subdude]

Egads! The Alamo Plaza? Is nothing sacred?

I do like the HAIF HQ idea.

[Original Timmy Chan's]

Someone needs to buy the Alamo Plaza as-is and turn it into student housing for UH.

I've never been inside, but I think looks GREAT from the outside.

[Subdude]

All the swimming pools in those old motels got filled in. Too many drunks stumbling in, I guess.

[Vertigo58]

Too many threads to search, but I always said that the reason all of these motels popped up overnight was:

1. Late 1940's:

The nearby Shamrock Hotel's success 1947, popularity and the expansion and notariety of South Main nightlife ie; bars, hotels, dance clubs.

2. Mid 1960's:

When Astrodome & Astroworld were completed then came the next wave of motels to accomodate those crowds.

3. Mid to late 70's: The party was over as the city shifted west to greener pastures. Motels lowered rates and eventually became house of ill repute and the like. "Hey big big looking for a good time? Sugar can take care of ya"

It's been a while since I pass down OST but it seems everyone says it is once again in a mode of resurgance. I always felt that OST was made perfectly wide and straight for the most part and as I mentioned before in the evening's the sun sets so beautiful in the far WEST distance.

Just don't let them tear down the Paris (former OST) Theater. It can still be restored to original splendor.

[FilioScotia]

Too many threads to search, but I always said that the reason all of these motels popped up overnight was:

1. Late 1940's:

The nearby Shamrock Hotel's success 1947, popularity and the expansion and notariety of South Main nightlife ie; bars, hotels, dance clubs.

2. Mid 1960's:

When Astrodome & Astroworld were completed then came the next wave of motels to accomodate those crowds.

3. Mid to late 70's: The party was over as the city shifted west to greener pastures. Motels lowered rates and eventually became house of ill repute and the like. "Hey big big looking for a good time? Sugar can take care of ya"

It's been a while since I pass down OST but it seems everyone says it is once again in a mode of resurgance. I always felt that OST was made perfectly wide and straight for the most part and as I mentioned before in the evening's the sun sets so beautiful in the far WEST distance.

Just don't let them tear down the Paris (former OST) Theater. It can still be restored to original splendor.

There's another reason for all those motels. It's a rule of thumb in the motel business that busy highways are the best location.

It's worth remembering that OST is the route of Highway 90, and for the longest time before the freeways were completed, OST was a major highway route through Houston. A lot of travelers passed through town on OST, and those motels were put up to attract them. Many closed when the freeways took all that traveling traffic away from OST. By the 70s, most of those still in business had stopped advertising their nightly rates, and were advertising their hourly rates.

And I share your affection for the old OST (Paris) theater. It was where I saw Jayne Mansfield in Playgirls After Dark, the only movie she made that showed she could act, and I Am Curious (Yellow). What a waste of an hour and a half that was. :closedeyes:

Edited September 20, 2007 by FilioScotia

[marketingwiz]

What happened to the images of the old postcards? They are gone, just white space and the description of the motel. Can you reload?

[sevfiv]

What happened to the images of the old postcards? They are gone, just white space and the description of the motel. Can you reload?

It looks like the server that Subdude used to store the photos is either down or the photos were moved/deleted.

I used to work over in the OST/Kirby/S.Main area.(in a decent profession). for over 10 years. Saw alot of changes.Saw some of those old motor hotels fall, the Crestwood.

I would like to post some pics. What is the best method? I have run out of scan room. Maybe a link?

I collect postcards, as well.

Easiest way would be to go somewhere like tinypic.com, upload the photo, and paste the link given for the photo (use the button to do this).

[NenaE]

It's worth remembering that OST is the route of Highway 90, and for the longest time before the freeways were completed, OST was a major highway route through Houston. A lot of travelers passed through town on OST, and those motels were put up to attract them. Many closed when the freeways took all that traveling traffic away from OST. By the 70s, most of those still in business had stopped advertising their nightly rates, and were advertising their hourly rates.

And I share your affection for the old OST (Paris) theater. It was where I saw Jayne Mansfield in Playgirls After Dark, the only movie she made that showed she could act, and I Am Curious (Yellow). What a waste of an hour and a half that was. :closedeyes:

quote from FilioScotia

Thanks SevFiv for the tips, spent today figuring it out, I am "somewhat computer challenged". I was google earthing my great-grandmothers house on Ave E. in Central Park last night, and noticed that Hwy 90 was listed on one of the major roads. Interesting how it runs through the East End.

Here is a recent pic of the OST "Paris" theater...why Paris? looked like a later addition to the sign.I must purchase that Houston theater book.

Shhhhhhh... would hate to see this one fall too. Can we at least leave a few of them standing!

Edited April 2, 2008 by NenaE

[Vertigo58]

I am still in complete curiosity of how the interior looks or looked in it's hey day? That website about old theaters had a good comment of a guy that was once an usher there.

Isn't it sad to see it without the main focal point? The marquee! I would search this place inside and out to see if any movie relics are hidden inside? Never can forget that Antiques Roadshow segment where this guy opened the ceiling and wall and found numerous classic film noir 1930's - 40's wall posters just stuffed inside! Had major film stars ie; Mryna Loy, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford, James Cagney! I was flipping out! all in mint condition too!

He took to auction and they fetched $$$.

back to topic though, again if you drive West on OST (around here) in the evening when sun sets, its magical.

[sevfiv]

Here is the Paris/OST Theater thread:

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...?showtopic=7086