rps324 Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 I may be wrong, but I think the couple of houses left over by the Convention Center were part of a neighborhood called Quality Hill. Some of the ones on Main though, rivaled Bishop's Palace. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesternGulf Posted February 10, 2006 Share Posted February 10, 2006 I may be wrong, but I think the couple of houses left over by the Convention Center were part of a neighborhood called Quality Hill. Some of the ones on Main though, rivaled Bishop's Palace. I believe this is the neighborhood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelguy_73 Posted May 28, 2006 Share Posted May 28, 2006 Every time I drive by these homes (located between the GRB and Minute Maid Park), I wonder what is to become of them. Can you guys fill me in on their history and if there are plans to restore them? I love that they are here, but am not quite sure of their value if they continue to decline. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 Every time I drive by these homes (located between the GRB and Minute Maid Park), I wonder what is to become of them. Can you guys fill me in on their history and if there are plans to restore them? I love that they are here, but am not quite sure of their value if they continue to decline.Thanks i always thought these were some sort of historical showplaces? i never really looked closely, but i had no idea they were in serious disrepair. from the photos (and my bad memory) they seem rather well-kept? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelguy_73 Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 i always thought these were some sort of historical showplaces? i never really looked closely, but i had no idea they were in serious disrepair. from the photos (and my bad memory) they seem rather well-kept?Perhaps then, I'm missing the point of why they are there. If I recall. they were moved when the Toyota Center or garage was built(?). So then wouldn't an historic group want to rehab them? There is a lot of missing siding (as seen on the front of the one on the right, and the side and rear of the left one. Regardless of their purpose, the elements will take their toll on the exposed parts of the structure, leading to further decline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 Judging by that portapotty on the right of the photo, I would gather that there is indeed some rehab going on in those houses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
houstonmacbro Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 Judging by that portapotty on the right of the photo, I would gather that there is indeed some rehab going on in those houses.yeah, and i just thought they were of some historic value (perhaps the first mayoral home? does houston even have a mayoral home? or some other frontier type of thing ... ).to be honest i never really thought much about them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 yeah, and i just thought they were of some historic value (perhaps the first mayoral home? does houston even have a mayoral home? or some other frontier type of thing ... ).to be honest i never really thought much about them.I am sure there is huge historic value of some sort or they wouldn't have moved them, you know someone around here will come up with the answer. I will look around as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 History of the Old Houses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 (edited) History of the Old Houses See ! Thank You kind Sir ! Edited May 29, 2006 by TJones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarthaG Posted May 29, 2006 Share Posted May 29, 2006 Thanks Red, well done.I never knew these houses existed. So, do we know if St Francis Charity sold the house to city, or did the city just take it? I have to wonder why the two houses were not moved to the Sam Houston Park?How long have they been where they are now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted May 30, 2006 Share Posted May 30, 2006 Thanks Red, well done.I never knew these houses existed. So, do we know if St Francis Charity sold the house to city, or did the city just take it? I have to wonder why the two houses were not moved to the Sam Houston Park?How long have they been where they are now?There was a quite a bit of emanent domain when these deals were made. With respect to the ballpark and the Hilton, anything they wanted they got. They wanted the extension of La Avenida, which is why the house was moved. They are definitely going to be rehabbed but may take some time because i believe it is a private venture.Why not Sam Houston Park? Well after Hurricane Alicia damaged many of the homes at Sam Houston Park, the Historical Society has rethought the houses in the park thing. I had even heard that they were thinking of moving some of the existing homes there to higher ground to prevent further flooding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartalek Posted May 31, 2006 Share Posted May 31, 2006 There was a quite a bit of emanent domain when these deals were made. With respect to the ballpark and the Hilton, anything they wanted they got. They wanted the extension of La Avenida, which is why the house was moved. They are definitely going to be rehabbed but may take some time because i believe it is a private venture.Why not Sam Houston Park? Well after Hurricane Alicia damaged many of the homes at Sam Houston Park, the Historical Society has rethought the houses in the park thing. I had even heard that they were thinking of moving some of the existing homes there to higher ground to prevent further flooding.Actually The Heritage Society which maintains the homes in Sam Houston Park were asked by the city to determine if a site could be found in the Park for the houses. (Cohen and Foley) Since the city has to approve anything moved into the park the project never got off of the ground. Tropical Storm Allison did flood two of the homes, the Old Place and the Pillot house(which sat at Chenevert and McKinney).The Society did move Old Place to higher ground and has recently raised the Pillot House out of the flood plain and completed a mega outside restoration including adding back the original side porch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashikaga Posted May 31, 2006 Share Posted May 31, 2006 i always thought these were some sort of historical showplaces? i never really looked closely, but i had no idea they were in serious disrepair. from the photos (and my bad memory) they seem rather well-kept?From this view they look restored. If they aren't, then they look like they would be worthy of restoration. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trophy Property Posted May 31, 2006 Share Posted May 31, 2006 I have walked by the houses many times on my way into Minute Maid. To be honest I figured a business would eventually lease them out. Some bail bonds company or some rougue Attorney. I had no idea the historical significance of these houses. Shows what I know. Great Article, would love to hear an update !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarthaG Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 Yep, they need some work, and quickly. But replacing the lost and rotten wood on the exterior is not an impossible job. The roofs appear to be in pretty good shape. Wonder how the interiors are holding up. Is the Heritage Society willing to take over the maintence of these two homes if they are moved to Sam Houston Park. I still think that is where they belong. It would be a shame if a Bail Bond Co or "rougue attorney" moved in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smartalek Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 Yep, they need some work, and quickly. But replacing the lost and rotten wood on the exterior is not an impossible job. The roofs appear to be in pretty good shape. Wonder how the interiors are holding up. Is the Heritage Society willing to take over the maintence of these two homes if they are moved to Sam Houston Park. I still think that is where they belong. It would be a shame if a Bail Bond Co or "rougue attorney" moved in.I too think the houses would be great in Sam Houston Park, say facing Bagby across from the Main Library. Historically there were big homes along this area. There was also in later years a Fire Alarm building along this bit of Bagby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vertigo58 Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 I too think the houses would be great in Sam Houston Park, say facing Bagby across from the Main Library. Historically there were big homes along this area. There was also in later years a Fire Alarm building along this bit of Bagby.Sam Houston Park would be the most logical place for these relics. (or my yard)Wonder what is the latest on saving them? Just don't make em like this any more in these here parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danax Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 Is the Heritage Society willing to take over the maintence of these two homes if they are moved to Sam Houston Park. I still think that is where they belong. Sam Houston Park is becoming sort of the Noah's Ark for demolished neighborhoods. At the rate were going, the park will need major expansion soon. Leave it to Houston to come up with such a novel idea...other cities just leave the neighborhoods intact....how unimaginitive . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan the Man Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Sam Houston Park is becoming sort of the Noah's Ark for demolished neighborhoods.I liked the article in Cite a few years ago that referred to Sam Houston Park as an "Architectural Petting Zoo." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 I liked the article in Cite a few years ago that referred to Sam Houston Park as an "Architectural Petting Zoo." Greatness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Otto Mation) Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Patrick Feller has added a photo to the pool: Arthur B. Cohn House (on the left) and William L. Foley House, in original locations. View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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