Highrise Tower

While looking in the Harris County, Texas, Guide and Road Map dated June 1939 I came across a beverages business listing that included Weber’s Root Beer located at 6720 South Main Street - Hadley 0272. A little confused. There was also a Weber's Beer Garden located 3 or 4 blocks south at Holcombe & Main Street. I believe they were different, the similarity is the proximity to each other. Weber's Root Beer Stand was a restaurant specializing in root beer. Weber's Beer Garden was an ice house/beer garden/bar that served alcoholic drinks, specializing in beer. Very cool find!!

I'm afraid the key to finding this race track is the railroads. I am not familiar with all the railroads so it may be a lost cause on my part. There is also State Highway 3 which could lead to details about the race track but I'm also unfamiliar with State Highway 3. Think it was an earlier name for Almeda, or Highway 90? Need to read my emails from a fellow HAIF historian. In all.. there are 2, maybe 3 railroads at this intersection. There is also that strange State Highway 3 somewhere around the area. Someone do some research and find this obscure race track!!

Just discovered a new HISD school in the Museum District called Southmore School located at 5200 Caroline Street. Found the photo of the school in the Almeda Place residential subdivision marketing flyer dated in 1922. The newspaper The Houston Post. dated January 23, 1924 contained an article about a string of robberies. The criminals broke into Southmore School showing the address of 5200 Caroline. Potter, Roberts and Ellis confessed to the roberry of the following places, according to police: Southmore School, 5200 Caroline street; Longfellow School, 2209 Charters Street; Fullerton School, 2803 Harrisburg Boulevard: the residence of S.H. Ferrill, 311 East Twenty-Third street; the home of V.L. Giles, 729 East 12-12 Street; the furniture store of D.E. Smith, 1014 McKee Street; and the residence of Jack Kennedy, 1120 East 7 1-2 Street.

Looks like the restaurant design was different than the rendering. Stuart's Drive Inn Restaurant "Sonny" Stuart, Owner and Manager Largest Drive-Inn Restaurant In The Southwest We Never Close We Cater To Private Parties Featuring Sea Foods, Fried Chicken, K.C. Steaks and Breakfast 8001 So. Main St. - MA 4805 - Houston 25, Texas

I was browsing the newspaper The Bellaire Texan dated August 17, 1960 and came across this advertisement for Willowbend Dairy Mart located at 4101 Willowbend Blvd. Interesting to note that the business name and address is spelled with 2 words without spaces. Willow Bend Diary Mart and 4101 Willow Bend. Might be the publication print rather than the business incorporation? Did anyone ever eat here back in the day? I'd love to hear some stories. What were the surrounding businesses in the area? Any race tracks near by? The prices on this food is incredible! 22 cent Hamburgers, or 5 for $1? That's just madness! Willowbend Dairy Mart MO 5-4511 / 4101 Willowbend Look!! -New Prices- New Management Offers . . . Malt-Shakes 18¢ Hamburgers 22¢ each (5 for $1.00) Doubleburgers Each 35¢ (3 for $1.00) Two Patties – ¼ Lb. Beef Try Our Other Items: Hot Dog With Chili Frito Pie Fish Wich Grape and Orange Flush Coke – Root Beer Frosted Drinks Barbecue On Bun Bunchee Dog French Fries Sundaes – Cones Banana Splits Floats – Dip Tops

The Bellaire Texan dated Wednesday, May 19, 1982: The Bellaire City Council Monday night gave the city Parks and Recreation Department the go-ahead to construct a Bicycle Motor Cross (BMX) track at the LaFayette Park. According to the Parks Director Charlie Cowan the term "Bicycle Motor Cross" is deceiving in that the track is strictly for bicycle. There are, he says, no motors involved in the sport. "It's just a series of bumps and curves in a dirt trail that kids ride their bikes on," Cowan told Council. Children who use the facility will b required to wear protective gear; helmet, gloves, long-sleeved shirt, shoes and a mouth guard, he says. The track will be constructed only of dirt, which will be left over from the Holly Street sewer repairs currently underway. It will be spread on the ground to produce a curving trail. Tires will be inserted at various locations to provide bumps. The track will be designed so that it will not be attractive to motor bikers, Cowan says. The park is located across from the city public works compound, at LaFayette St. by Newcastle.

This complex was huge!! Pickwick Plaza Apartments had 268 units and was surrounded by Ardmore, Holcombe, Old Spanish Trail, and Grand Blvd. Two streets that were abandoned, I think, they were Pickwick Lane and Plaza Drive. Taken from Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps [Houston, Texas, 1950, Sheet 1602].

This little known hotel is located near Levit Green, on the outskirts of the Texas Medical Center. I wonder if the parcel would ever become multifamily housing? https://www.choicehotels.com/texas/houston/mainstay-hotels/tx933

One Discovery Way: Parcel E has turned into a surface lot: Unknown Path: Collaborative Building: Helix Park, section 2: Helix Park, section 3: Helix Park, section 4 going fast!! Two Discovery Way quietly broke ground!! - You can see the new, shiny, rebar: Mixed-Use Garage:

The Loopnet listing was removed!! This listing is not currently being advertised on LoopNet.com. A little history regarding this Loopnet listing: The Loopnet listing went Under Contract. Then a few months later the "Under Contract" was removed from the page. I assumed the deal fell through and the property was no longer under contract. A few months pass by and now the listing has been removed! I believe some of these parcels are crucial for the completion of the 500-acres that the Texas Medical Center wants. Fingers crossed this means TMC just bought the combined 115-acres. My knowledge: Someone, or an entity, is selling 400-acres long Buffalo Speedway. You then add the above 115-acres and you get a combined 515 acres. I believe McKeon said something a long the lines of "A 500+ acre campus". The size might be slightly above the 500-acre mark. Let's go!! Edit: Looks like the company failed to renew their monthly subscription. The Loopnet listing was removed per the lack of membership.

This week's construction update:

wow. just wow. Over the past few days someone dumped a dead dog on the side walk. Now the dog is decomposing and you can see the rib cage. What's the statement here? Is this some type of NIMBY-Extremism? The criminals will to do everything in their power to fight-off the development of the area. Is this letting people know who controls the neighborhood? This is their turf. Or maybe just a general "fck you" to society?

1200 Southmore has undergone many transformations in its history. First started out as the Geane King mansion in the 1920s. In the 1940s/1950s it was the E.H. David Home. This is probably what you are looking for! In the 1960s it was known as the University of Houston Urban Affairs Institute. In the 1970s it was known as the Southwest Center for Urban Research. In the 1990s it was known as the Patrician Bed & Breakfast. From The Thresher dated September 28, 1923: June 28, Geane King, '23, Frantz Brogniez, '22 - 1200 Southmore Avenue, Houston. From The Bellaire Citizen dated April 6, 1950: Excellent Meals Patients Have Their Own Doctor Diet According To Doctor's Orders 24 Hour Nursing Care E.H. David Home 1200 Southmore - JA-6772 The Daily Sun dated September 18, 1941: Rev M.O. Lambly is convalescing from a recent illness at 1200 Southmore Boulevard in Houston. His condition is somewhat improved.

Was there ever a road off South Main called Speer Drive? I assume the short-lived road was named after this park and person?

Worth noting: 15.24-Acres For Sale At 7125-7135 Ardmore St.

Has anyone, in 17 years, suggested we should turn this into a Life Science campus? Build another large-scale Bio Technology campus so we would have more square footage than Boston/Cambridge

West Oaks Hospital Psychiatric Care Greater Houston. West Oaks Hospital has faithfully served Houston and the surrounding communities for over three decades. We are a fully accredited 160-bed hospital. https://westoakshospital.com/ What does everyone think about this place? Been a staple around Houston forever. Maybe longer than the Menninger Clinic?

CBRE now marketing these properties. Love all these large parcels for sale on the outskirts of the TMC!! 7135 Ardmore St. 7125 Ardmore St. 7132 Ardmore St. https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/TMC-Land-Redevelopment-Opportunity/27860082/ Marketing flyers now mentioning the TMC BioPort project!! They did not include Levit Green which was odd.

HAIF users @almadenmike and @Ross found the 3-builing campus a few years ago. They were not certain it was the campus, but I would put money on it. The December 1944 aerial photograph from Google Earth shows 3 buildings. To map it, I used the current address of the Encore Montrose Apartments located at 4508 Graustark Street. I believe the road "Kenwood" no longer exists? According to the newspaper article, the 6-1/2 acre parcel was located on Castle Court. Edit: The oval road in front of the main building might have been called Kenwood. The large, main, building is called Wolffe Hall. South cottage is for widows. North cottage is for orphans.

In 1976, I came across information about the St. Elizabeth Hospital located at 4514 Lyons Ave. Your car been giving you trouble? Don't give it up - - give it a Chance! You have the opportunity to buy your automobile a $75 tune-up for only $1.00 per chance. The St. Elizabeth Hospital of Houston Foundation is raffling a $75 tune-up for only $1.00 per chance. The St. Elizabeth Hospital of Houston Foundation is raffling a $75 complete car tune-up at $1.00 per dance. Tickets can be purchased at St. Elizabeth Hospital, 4514 Lyons Avenue, N.E. Houston, or by calling 675-1711.

The Texas Jewish Herald dated December 4, 1930: Pauline Sterne Wolfe Home Is Dedicated The project of erecting the Pauline Stern Wolff Home, for indigent widows and orphans, is practically finished. The dedication ceremony was held on Thanksgiving Day with I. Friedlander, Houston business executive, presiding. Construction of this structure was made possible by Mrs. Pauline Stern Wolff, who before her death made provisions for such an institution by stating that she wishes to pass the residue of her estate to the endowment for the care of indigent widows and orphans. Thus far, three buildings have been erected. The center one is Wolffe Hall, which will include an open air veranda, reception rooms, and the business offices. To the south is the cottage which will accommodate fourteen widows. The orphans’ cottage, which will provide sixteen children, is located to the north of Wolff Hall. The Texas Jewish Herald dated April 23, 1931: Pauline Sterne Wolff Home is Now Open Without pomp or ceremony, the portals of the Pauline Sterne Wolff Memorial Home were thrown open Friday morning to receive the first beneficiaries of the institution. Two widows in the even ride of life were the first to enter its doors. To them it will be a home—a place where they can spend their declining years in peace and contentment. Shortly after three youngers, laughing with glee, where ushered in –to them it will be home – a place to grow and learn. Thus the will of the late Pauline Sterne Wolff, Houston philanthropist, reached its fulfilment Friday, 10 years after her death. Endowed by the late Mrs. Wolff, who died in 1921, the home was erected on a six and one-half acre tract on Castle Court Boulevard. Its quarters were dedicated to the use of widows and orphans of Texas Jewish families— People and Companies involved with the 3-building campus: Architect – Joseph Finger Landscape Architect – Mason C. Coney General Contractor – Jas. Roberts General Contractor Company – Tellepsen Construction Co. Ornamental Iron & Wire Works – A.A. Berger & Co., Inc. Millwork – Houston Co-Operative Manufacturing Co. Leaded Stained Glass – Texas Art Glass Co. Lumber – South Texas Lumber Co. Brick – Southern Brick & Tile Co. Wiring – J.S. Copeland Electric Company, Inc. Painting and Decorating – Barney N. Smith Heating and Plumbing – Dixie Heating & Ventilating Co. The Texas Jewish Herald dated September 21, 1933: Two and a Half Year's Work of the Pauline Sterne-Wolff Home Founded by the late Pauline Sterne Wolff, the Home which bears her name is located at Kenwood and Graustark Streets, Houston, Texas and has been functioning since April 17, 1931 Mrs. Wolff, born at Witkover, Germany, in 1842, the daughter of Alexander and Libbie Fox, was brought to Houston when a young girl by her brother, the late Henry S. Fox, Sr. She was married in 1858 to Samuel Sterne, a successful merchant of the City of Houston, who died in 1891, leaving an estate which was the aucleds of the Endowment Fund for the building and maintenance of the Home. In 1896, she was the married to Gustav A. Wolff, always a women of frugal habits, thrifty, a keen knowledge of business, died on February 8, 1921, at the age of 79 years, childless leaving a large estate, which was to be used for the creation of an endowment with which there was to be erected "a Home for the care of indigent widows and minor orphans of the Jewish faith, who are residents of Texas." A.B. Chon, President Pauline Sterne-Wolff Home.

I was looking at the publication Texas State Journal of Medicine dated July 1925 and came across a hospital that I've never heard of. It's the Houston Eye, Ear, And Throat Hospital located at 1300 Walker Avenue. Houston Eye, Ear, And Throat Hospital 1300 Walker Avenue, Corner of Caroline Street Open April 1, 1924 A modern, fire-proof Hospital, for the care of eye, ear, nose and throat cases. Staff: Eye: Dr. W.W. Ralston Dr. E.L. Goar Ear, Nose, and Throat: Dr. John H. Foster Dr. Lyle J. Logue Dr. Claude C. Cody Superintendent: Melanie Perry, R.N.

I was browsing the newspaper The Bellaire & Southwestern Texan dated May 10, 1972 and came across a business advertisement for Willowbend Florist located at 4040 Willowbend Blvd. Looks like this was located at site of the present-day BestCare EMS Ground and Air Ambulance Services. Did anyone ever go here? Any pictures you can share? Tell Mother you care with our Bunch-of-Love This warm, wonderful collage of long-lasting blooms say lovingly "I'm glad I'm yours." Knowing you care is what Mother wants most on her day. Nearby or many miles away, we'll guarantee delivery almost anywhere in time for Mother's Day. The Bunch-of-Love is available in three sizes, $10, $12.50, $15. Floral Wire Service Willowbend Florist 4040 Willowbend 668-0565

Found a scan of a film negative!! Listed as "Autry Memorial" from archives.library.tmc.edu.

wow!! I just realized the name of this hospital corresponds with the new, ultra-luxury Hanover Autry Park mixed-use development. Any photos of the hospital? Looks like this would have been where Alta River Oaks is located at 3636 West Dallas St. Or maybe even where the Renoir Lofts is located at 1005 Shepherd Dr. 98-years has past since the Autry Memorial Hospital School was in operation. Now the area is littered with luxury developments. Before all the luxury development, the area did stay true to the healthcare centers. You had the Center Serving Persons with Mental Retardation located at 3550 West Dallas, and The Center for Hearing and Speech/The Melinda Webb School at 3636 West Dallas. There was a small healthcare campus located at that intersection it seems. I thought Hanover Autry Park was named after that tiny park on the corner of Allen Parkway. Did the Autry Memorial Hospital School come before the park? Or perhaps Autry Park was dedicated and named after the hospital had been demolished? Kind of like the Shamrock Hotel site on Holcombe & Main. Now there is a small park at the site.