Memories Of Briarmeadow

[rgraham]

Longtime lurker/first-time poster ...

My name is Rusty Graham and I'm researching the history of Briarmeadow for its 50th anniversary this year. These forums have proved to be a gold mine of information in the past, so I'm asking for help.

Briarmeadow was the featured development in the 1957 Parade of Homes, and was part of a building boom on this side of Houston in the mid to late 50s. It was developed by a man named James E. Lyon, a banker and developer who served as chairman of River Oaks Bank for 30 years, was active in Republican politics, and who belonged to all the right (social, not necessarily political) clubs, according to his Chronicle obit. And that's about all I can find on him so far. Lyon developed Briarbend, Tanglewilde and a few other subdivisions, so he seems like a fairly important player. (His widow [if I've found the right person] has remarried and is still fairly prominent in Houston.)

I'm looking for any help anyone might provide. Information on Lyon would be great. Someone once posted a Web site where you could find subdivision plats. That would be great. Any suggestions, tip, and/or resources would be great. Any stories anyone might have of Briarmeadow would be great, as would photos, articles, ads, etc. Those who attended Lee High School back in the day might have some insight and/or stories.

We want to compile as complete and accurate a history as possible, then present what we find on the Web, through a printed piece, and maybe even with a digital presentation that can be projected at different functions and events. Details aren't ironed out yet.

Thanks in advance for all your help.

[rps324]

There was a lady I talked to that recently sold her home in there. Her husband was an Architect that built at least one of the Parade of homes in there. She had some old newspaper clippings from there and told me the house next door was the residence of Architect A. Carroll Brodnax. She might be a good resource if I could track her down.

I definitely think Briarmeadow needs to start gathering this sort of information.

[sevfiv]

here's the link to the Harris County block books:

http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/blockbooks/default.asp

[rgraham]

There was a lady I talked to that recently sold her home in there. Her husband was an Architect that built at least one of the Parade of homes in there. She had some old newspaper clippings from there and told me the house next door was the residence of Architect A. Carroll Brodnax. She might be a good resource if I could track her down.

I definitely think Briarmeadow needs to start gathering this sort of information.

rps -- that would be great. I haven't started down the list of builders yet, but some might still be alive, and certainly descendants might still be around Houston. I'll see if I can find the Broadnax house.

You're right -- Briarmeadow definitely needs to do this, and the 50th anniversary provides the perfect opportunity to get it done. That Briarmeadow was a Parade of Homes development immediately adds an interesting hook -- a "Wow -- I didn't know that" factor. We hope to parlay that into excitement within the neighborhood, and maybe generate some larger publicity.

How is Briarmeadow perceived by real estate professionals?

(BTW -- we met briefly at one of your open houses, a year or so ago. It was an originally furnished mod in Glenbrook Valley -- the one on a big sloping lot.)

Thanks for your help.

here's the link to the Harris County block books:

http://www.tax.co.harris.tx.us/blockbooks/default.asp

That's the one. Thanks sevfiv.

[rgraham]

Shameless bump. I'd really like to hear your stories, thoughts, etc. about Briarmeadow.

I'll let the thread die if none are forthcoming.

Thanks.

[Firebird65]

Shameless bump. I'd really like to hear your stories, thoughts, etc. about Briarmeadow.

I'll let the thread die if none are forthcoming.

Thanks.

I live in Westchase, across from Briarmeadow. I've walked through it several times. Didn't grow up in the area, but I too would like to hear some stories, so I'll bump the bump.

[plumber2]

Shameless bump. I'd really like to hear your stories, thoughts, etc. about Briarmeadow.

I'll let the thread die if none are forthcoming.

Thanks.

I grew up in Westheimer Gardens, south of Westheimer and east of Fountain View (Ulrich Rd.) Glenhaven Estates was just west of that. Robert E. Lee High School was built in Glenhaven Estates. We used to pick dewberries all through that part of Glenhaven in the early 60's because it was sparsley populated. I remember Hillcroft did not go any further south than the entrance to Briarmeadow (Highmeadow I think). Richmond Ave was not extended from Chimney Rock over to Hillcroft until the mid to late '60s. Several houses had to be moved in Westheimer Gardens, but Glenhaven had larger lots so it only took back yards from that point on to Briameadow, were Richmond Ave was already built and waiting.

[rgraham]

I grew up in Westheimer Gardens, south of Westheimer and east of Fountain View (Ulrich Rd.) Glenhaven Estates was just west of that. Robert E. Lee High School was built in Glenhaven Estates. We used to pick dewberries all through that part of Glenhaven in the early 60's because it was sparsley populated. I remember Hillcroft did not go any further south than the entrance to Briarmeadow (Highmeadow I think). Richmond Ave was not extended from Chimney Rock over to Hillcroft until the mid to late '60s. Several houses had to be moved in Westheimer Gardens, but Glenhaven had larger lots so it only took back yards from that point on to Briameadow, were Richmond Ave was already built and waiting.

Plumber2 -- That's interesting about Richmond not extending past Chimney Rock until the mid- to late-1960s -- 11 of the 25 houses in the 1957 Parade of Homes have Richmond addresses. Was the Briarmeadow portion of Richmond complete then?

Thanks for the bump bump, firebird.

[plumber2]

Plumber2 -- That's interesting about Richmond not extending past Chimney Rock until the mid- to late-1960s -- 11 of the 25 houses in the 1957 Parade of Homes have Richmond addresses. Was the Briarmeadow portion of Richmond complete then?

Thanks for the bump bump, firebird.

Yes, the Brairmeadow portion was already built (with median) and was in place but only through the length of the subdivision. Tanglewilde had the same situation. In fact there was some resistance at the time from both subdivsions when Richmond was being extended. My father served as a member of the Southwest Allied Civic Clubs back in those days. The club's main purpose was to preserve deed restrictions and neighborhood covenants in the area. The neighborhoods that were not completly built out, like ours, did not have much luck. Glenhaven's restrictions expired in 1970, Westheimer Garden's expired in 1972. We had moved by then.

[rgraham]

Yes, the Brairmeadow portion was already built (with median) and was in place but only through the length of the subdivision. Tanglewilde had the same situation. In fact there was some resistance at the time from both subdivsions when Richmond was being extended. My father served as a member of the Southwest Allied Civic Clubs back in those days. The club's main purpose was to preserve deed restrictions and neighborhood covenants in the area. The neighborhoods that were not completly built out, like ours, did not have much luck. Glenhaven's restrictions expired in 1970, Westheimer Garden's expired in 1972. We had moved by then.

In Briarmeadow, the civic club joined the homeowners association in 1972. The transition wasn't always smooth, apparently, but all ended well. The HOA is very active today.