Highrise Tower

I was reading a City of Houston 1928 map and noticed South End Water Works just outside of Hermann Park. Anyone know what this was about? Index map for Bracey’s Block Book of Houston. The city map of Houston including the now annexed Houston Heights, is overlaid with squares corresponding to page numbers in the block book. The map contains basic information including streets, railroads, public facilities and schools. Of interest are the Rice Institute and George Herman Park. Greater detail is on the individual block pages.

Today on HAIF there was interest to find information about a local park. The Houston Post dated August 5, 1909: Real Estate For Sale. Improved- City. Propositions of Merit. Cottage and 50x100 lot, 1618 Hutchings street; on Aransas Pass car line, $1850-- Delmonico Park (formerly Angerhoffer's), 11-3/4 acres, on Harrisburg Road car line passes this property. 728-foot road front street on each side, railroad in rear; finest site in South Texas to improve, and will be a money-maker In fact, now enjoys best of patronage. This would make an ideal city proposition; now has bowling alley, dance pavilion, refreshment, restaurant, an elegant modern home; all fenced and fine artisan well. Houston needs an up-to-date pleasure resort and any one with the nerve and money can make this a success. See us for particulars. The Houston Post dated July 3, 1910: Telegraphic Returns of Jeffries-Johnson Fight. On Grounds of First Annual Joint. W.O.W. Picnic. Demonico Park, July 4.. (Angerhoefer's Park) Given By: Red Oak Camp No. 95-- Exhibition Drills by two Lady and Two Gentlemen Degree Teams, also "Manchester Guards." Band Concert 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dancing 3 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Music by W.O.W. Band. Hon. K.C. Barkley, Orator. Admission Free - Take Harrisburg Car. The Houston Post dated February 9, 1912: Delmonico's Park Leased. Deal Closed for Ten Years to Harris and Backenstoe. By the term of a lease practically closed yesterday between William Angerhoefer, Jr. and Harris & Backenstoe, the latter have taken a ten-year lease on Angerhoefer's garden, on the Harrisburg Road. The contract will be signed today. Extensive plans for improving and adapting the park to the requirements of a city pleasure garden are entertained by the lessees. "We will probably spend upwards of $50,000 in improvements," said Mr. Harris. "Our plans are not entirely worked out, but they will include an entire remodeling of the park and the construction and installation of amusement and pastime features such as go to make up a city pleasure park. Among these will be natitorium.

I was reading the newspaper The Houston Daily Post dated January 24, 1894 and came across an article about a Fifth Ward Budget. The last paragraph mentions a race track that is under construction. How cool is that!? However, there isn't a name/developer attached. Does HAIF already know about this race track? I wonder if it's around here someplace. Given the date, 1894, this could be one of the earliest tracks that we have! Can anyone identify this? Fifth Ward Budget. Items of Interest From the Busy Ward- People Who Come and Go. There re two or three very bad holes in the sewer on Walnut street-- Much interest is shown by the Fifth Warders in the new race track, which is under construction in the outskirts of the ward. Every day wagons are seen loaded with lumber and gentlemen on foot and in buggies going out. One, live, progressive citizen of the ward suggested The Post reporter the idea of opening Odin Avenue and making a first-class road all the way; also the extension of the street car line. It is presumed that as soon as the race track is completed all the necessary arrangements will be made both by the city and the street car company.

I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated May 11, 1917 and came across an article about a change of name of a club. Name of Gun Club Is to Be Changed: After the State shoot here this month the Interurban Gun Club will be a thing of the past and instead there will be the George Hermann Gun Club. The State Interurban Gun Club and the name will last that long and for that purpose. It is like this: The club has been given a new plot and has a new club house about ready on the Bellaire road just off Main street. The club site comes of property once held by George Hermann and hence the name is to be changed. As many of the local shooters are leaving soon for other shoots over the State before the meet here, the members will be at the new club house Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons and will shoot each day. The Houston Post dated February 3, 1918. Gun Club to Have Shoot This Afternoon: The George Hermann Gun Club will hold its regulars weekly shoot this afternoon, starting at 3 o'clock, at its club grounds on Bellaire road just off of Main street. This shoot, as are all the shoots of the club, is open to all shooters, and a special invitation is extended to shooters at Camp Logan and Ellington field to take part in the shoot or visit. There is no membership or dues to the club, and the--

Edit: Appears the business name was Oak Lawn Dairy. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated November 15, 1914 and came across an article about an auto accident injury that took place on Sid (Sidney) Westheimer's farm on Clark street. Two were injured. Mrs. C. McDaniel was painfully injured and her husband was severely bruised Saturday evening at 6:30 o'clock when the automobile in which they were riding turned over into a ditch near the Sid Westheimer farm on Clark Street Road. The automobile had just turned out of the gate at the Westheimer farm when the driver lost control. It is thought that Mrs. McDaniel suffered a fractured arm, although Saturday night it was not known whether it was a sprain or a fracture.

Thanks to @Ross I discovered a new park that was located in the Texas Medical Center in the decade of the 1910s. Ross suggested this pre-dates the Hermann Park. I researched, and according to the Hermann Park Conservancy, Hermann Park opened in 1914. Or, in 1914, the park was announced and the master plan started. Hermann Park may have opened a year later than 1914? https://www.hermannpark.org/history/timeline/ In May of 1914 Houston real estate investor and industrialist George H. Hermann announced publicly his intention of deeding to the City of Houston 285 acres of this property for a municipal park across the street from the Rice Institute and thus Hermann Park was born. A century later, Hermann Park is 445-acres of beautiful green space and is visited by an estimated 6 million people per year. I first discovered the park while researching the Colonial Park Amusement Park near Fannin Street and Southmore Avenue. 1913 City of Houston map: The Houston Post dated July 19, 1913: Amusements: Main Street Park- Wild West Broncho Bustling at 5 p.m. Isis Theater- "Beauty and the Beast" and other motion pictures. Pearce's Theater- "The Master Painter" and other motion pictures." Top O'Houston, Carter Roof- Motion pictures, carabet, features and refreshments. The Houston Post dated June 8, 1912: Dekor to make flight at Main Street Park Houston Aviator will give exhibition prior to leaving the city. Fred De Kor, the aviator. will make a series of exhibition flights Sunday afternoon at Main Street Park, prior to leaving the city. Mr. De Kor has been contemplating giving the public thorough exhibition of his powers for some time and now feels that he has the best opportunity to do . The flights will be made at Main Street Park at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon-- The advertisement showing the date: Don't fall to see the exhibition flight at Main Street Park June 9, 1912 at 2:30 p.m. By Aviator Fred De Kor. In huis new aeroplane, The Green Dragon. The Houston Post dated September 28, 1912: Baseball Sunday, Sept. 29 At Main Street Park Game Called at 4 O'Clock. Houston Sporting Goods Vs. Sharp and Hughes. Both clubs have strong line-up, and a good game is promised. Batteries- Houston Sporting Good, Wehrman and Holt; Sharp and Hughes, Malloy and Page. Take South End Cars and transfer for Main Street Park. The Houston Post dated January 5, 1913: Farming With Aetna Dynamite. Demonstration will be held at Main Street Park Tuesday afternoon, January 7, at 3 o'clock. Stump Blasting, Subsoiling, Tree Planting, Ditching. Everybody invited. Take Sound End Car, transfer to Westmoreland. L. Harde & Co. Dealers in Agricultural Blasting Material, Room 3, Cotton Exchange Building. The Houston Post dated December 24, 1911: Location is Changed. For three years the Sunny South has made the traps at Delmonico Garden famous. In 1912, however, the Houston Gun Club offers a new location, Main Street Park. The new grounds are considered far better in accommodation than the old, and, since last July, have been used as the regular grounds of the Houston Gun Club. Main Street Park is located on the extension of Main street out beyond the Rice Institute. The park is reached by the South End and Westmoreland Farms car lines. The service off the South End line is present on every hour, but for the Sunny South the street car company will be requested to make special provision. With this improvement the park will be as accessible as Delmonico. Main street has already had its baptism as a trap shooting center, the Texas handicap having been held there in midyear of 1911.

Thank you Ross! To complicate things, a map from 1907 shows Charles Weber owning 10 acres of land where Main Street Park was located. The above newspaper article mentioned the Colonial Park was also 10 acres. I wonder if they are the same parcel? What you had just described says they are not related. The land surrounding the 10 acres of Charles Weber owned-land is George Hermann's 305 acres. Looks like George Hermann owned a lot more land than just the former sawmill that is now Hermann Park.

An ad in The Houston Post newspaper dated August 7, 1914: Colonial Park. Today 4 p.m. And 8:30 p.m. Also Sunday. Creatore and his wonderful band an attraction everyone should see and hear. Gate 25c - - - - Seats 35c. Season Passes Not Good These Days. Midsummer Carnival. August 17, 22-- Nights Only. Fireworks Tuesday-- Friday. Wednesday Prize Dance Masquerade. Prof. Nutty and his Nutty Band. 5c—Gate Admission—5c. The Zoo Is Free. The Houston Post newspaper had a city amusement section. It also lists the different activities that Colonial Park had. Amusements: Dixie Theatre- "A Million Bid." Gem Theater- "A Good Little Devil." Pearce Theater- "A Wayward Daughter." Isis Theater- "The Isle of Abandoned Hope." Rex Theater- "The Great Python Robbery." Top o' Houston- Pictures, songs, and music. Colonial Park- Dancing, skating, music and pictures. Queen Theatre- Home Run Baker in "Homo Run Baker's Double."

I can confirm this amusement park is located on South Main Street across, or near, Rice Institute. I found a map online that shows "Main St. Park." that is located on, or near, the corner of South Main Street & Bellaire Road. The date on the map (1913) and the date of the news articles containing Colonial Park stories is also dated 1913. They match! Very cool!!

I know Mitchell Westheimer had a 640-acre farm that was located off of Westheimer Road. There are two very famous Houston history websites that contain information about the farm. Tshaonline.org and Heritagesociety.org. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/westheimer-mitchell-louis Westheimer purchased at auction a 640-acre tract extending from what is now Bellaire Blvd. north beyond what is now Westheimer Road in Houston. The tract became known as the Westheimer Plantation. It featured a large, plantation-style residence on the site of present Lamar High School, stables for the livery, and a racetrack. In the 1860s Houston had no public schools, so Westheimer built a school on his farm, hired a teacher, and allowed area children to attend free. A miller by trade, Westheimer owned a flour mill in Houston, became a hay merchant in the 1850s and 1860s, and built the first streetcar rails in Houston. https://www.heritagesociety.org/westheimer-family When he arrived in Houston he quickly bought up a 640-acre tract that extended from where Holcombe Boulevard is today and north to the present Westheimer Road, bounded by Buffalo Speedway on the east and Fondren on the west. After buying his land, Westheimer built a flourmill and also operated for a time as a hay merchant. I was browsing old newspaper and maps and I found a little more information. From The Houston Post dated January 4, 1896: For Rent or Sale- My farm containing 150 acres, three and one-half miles west of Houston, in good cultivation, on a good road. Parties must furnish their own tams. M.L. Westheimer, No. 1113 San Jacinto Street. City of Houston directory dated 1886: Westheimer, Mitchell L., hay dealer r. and farm 3-1/2 miles w of city, at Westheimer Station. The Houston Post had an article that is dated March 23, 1887: Accidentally killed. At a late hour this evening, Judge Railey held an inquest over the body of Solomon Coleman, a school teacher of this city, who was accidentally killed while hunting on the prairie, near Westheimer Station, five miles west of Houston. The Houston Post had an article that is dated April 3, 1887: Headlight Flashes. All passenger trains entering the city were on time this morning. -- Conductor John Gray of the Texas Western railway has a force of men at work placing ties on the road between this city and Westheimer Station. A Houston map dated in 1895: It shows two parcels of land labeled "1" and "3" that is labeled "Westheimer." The parcels look to be roughly 3 to 5 miles west of the city core. I'm not sure if both of these equals the whole 640-acres. It doesn't look like that much land. Maybe 150 or 200 acres? Seems like half of the farm is missing. Maybe it was left off the map. Closer in, on the left. There was also an oval race track on his farm, or located on his other parcels of land. A map dated 1921 shows an oval track on Westheimer Road near Buffalo Speedway. Race Track For Lease- I will lease my one-mile regulation race track, three and one-half miles from Houston, to good, responsible parties. Address M.L. Westheimer, Houston. I am guessing that whole square parcel of where the race track is located in the 640-acre Westheimer Station Farm. Looks about equal in size to the Texas Medical Center's 500-Acre BioPort campus on Buffalo Speedway.

From the newspaper The Houston Post dated May 6, 1904. Spectacular Show. Rare Entertainment Secured for Highland Park. The greatest of all sensational and awe inspiring performances is to take lace Sunday net at the well known amusement resort, Highland Park. Ritchie is the name of the dare-devil cyclist who has been engaged by Manager Bishop of Highland Park to perform one of the most remarkable and thrilling performances ever conceived by the brain of man. Ritchie mounts an ordinary bicycle on a restyle seven-five feet high and 100 feet long, rides down a steep, narrow course at a marvelous rate of speed and upon reaching the end, which is elevated seventy-five feet above the beautiful lake, springs over the handlebars and literally flies though the air a distance of seventy-five feet, making a beautiful headfirst dive into the water. Flying through space at such a tremendous rate of speed, Ritchie would be unable to know when to leap whern it not for a man who is stationed at the head of the treselte, who notifies him.

I researched this amusement park this week. While HAIF does not know the exact location, two newspaper articles have slightly different locations. One said Main Street Road near the Rice Institute. The other says South Fannin Street. One of the article contains more technical information, so I'm going with that. Definitely somewhere around the medical center. South Main in between Rice and Hermann Park? From the newspaper The Houston Post dated January 1, 1913: Electric Amusement Park Soon To Open Land for New Park has been obtained- Will open this Spring. An electric amusement park, costing approximately $30,000, will be thrown open to the public in Houston by Easter Sunday, according to the information given out Tuesday by Adolph Bolt, sectary of the Houston Chamber of Commerce. The new resort, which will be known as "Colonial Amusement Park", will be located on Main Street Road, near the Rice Institute, south of the city where 10 acres of land has been procured for the purpose. The architecture will be strictly colonial in design throughout all the structural work and will be painted snow white. All the latest and most approved classes of amusement will be included in the attractions, sch as are found at Coney Island and other favorite reports, all highly illuminated by electricity. Mr. Bolt stated Tuesday that the lumber has been purchased and the contract for the contraction of the park award to a contractor of Terre Haute, Ind., who had 20 years' experience in thus sort of work and is interested in the park at Jacksonville, FLA, included the alligator farm of that place. From The Houston Post dated January 30, 1913: Work to Commence Immediately on Colonial Amusement Park. Arrangements have been made to commence work on the new Colonial Amusement Park which is to be built on South Fannin Street by local and foreign capital. Lumber and other materials are being hauled to the site and active construction work will be started within the next few days. An outdoor amusement resort of the highest class is something Houston has needed for some time. The Colonial Amusement Park is planned to be one that will be as fine as any in the country, and it will be equipped with all of the latest devices. H.L. Breining of Parkersburg, W.VA., is the man who will build the park. From The Houston Post dated January 1, 1913: Charters Field. -- Colonial Amusement Park Company, Houston; capital stock, $30,000. Incorporators: Z.Z. Brandon, George J. Breining, F.L. Burdick.

Found a newspaper article in The Houston Post dated April 18, 1924. Work Advances On Park Project Houston's Amusement Ground to Be Ready June 1. With arrangements for financing the project completed, Luna park, a 25-acre amusement ground with its main entrance in the 2200 block on Houston avenue, will be rushed to completion, it was announced Thursday by P.L. King of King Brothers, 912-13 Bankers' Mortgage building. A charter has been granted the Houston Amusement park the operating company, with a capitalization of $150,000 under Texas laws. New officers are L.F. Ingersoll of St. Joseph, Mo., president; A. Ingersoll, vice present, and J.A. Hausaman, sectary and treasurer. The company head owns Lake Contrary park at St. Joseph, which he has operated for the last 24 years, and owns a large interest in Krugs park at Omaha, Neb.; Fairyland in Fairmont parks in Kansas City, ad beach concessions at Galveston. A. Ingersoll owns an interest in the Mountain Speedway at Galveston. He will be actively in charge of the Houston park and will make his home there. Mr. Hausaman is sectary and treasure of Fairmont Park association, owner or Kansas City amusement places, and has been engaged in amusement park work for a number of years. Nearly a million feet of lumber has been ordered for Luna park, it was said Thursday, and it is being delivered at the grounds. The foundation for the scenic railway, which will be one of the largest in the county are completed. One "dip" on the railway will be 87 feet in length. Floors for the dance hall, said to be the largest in Texas, are nearly fished. It will accommodate 2500 people. Many other concessions, including merry-go-rounds, caterpillar, gondola swings, etc. will be in the readiness for the opening of the park, about June 1. A number of Houston citizens are interested in the project.

This is awesome. Here's the map bigger and easier to read.

Wikpedia has a good write-up about the Luna Park to Venice Park conversion: The original owners sold the property to a local lawyer (Abe W. Wagner) who held a contest to choose a new name. The eventual winner was Venice Park. He also changed the address to 2212. From the newspaper The Houston Post dated April 21, 1927: What's In A Name? $750.00 in Prizes. Houston's Greater Amusement Park. The name contest opens Thursday, April 21, and closes Saturday night, April 30. Names submitted must be on "Official Name Blank" and may be dropped on the contest boxes in the Park or mailed to Contest Editor, Houston Greater Amusement Park, Houston Avenue, Houston, Texas. Name suggestions by mail close Wednesday, April 27. Name suggestions deposited in the the contest box at the Park will be accepted any date during the contest up to the closing night, April 30th, inclusive. Names received by mail will not be considered if postmarked before April 21 or later than midnight, April the 27th. From newspaper The Houston Post dated June 16, 1927: Abe W. Wagner, Houston lawyer and amusement park director, and Miss Kathleen Chrisman, daughter of Mrs. W.T. Chrisman o Dallas, were married at Richmond on May 21, it was announced this week. Wagner, well known in legal circles, has devoted a major part of recent months to director of Venice Amusement Park. Mrs. Wagener, a vocalist and violinist of talent, is well known in Dallas social circles.

From the newspaper The Houston Post dated June 25, 1915. Special Notice Bismark Park Harrisburg Road A natural playground in the city limits, ideal for Picnics, Parties, etc. Street car and "jitney" service unsurpassed. For reservations apply to E. Weil, 707 Prairie Ave., Preston 4017. Newsboys of Houston Who Enjoyed Themselves as Guests of the Post at Bismark Park Wednesday. In the Above Picture, the Newsboys Are Shown Enjoying a Plunge in the Natatorium at Bismark Park.

I was reading the newspaper The Houston Post dated June 7, 1919 and came across an amusement park called Golf Amusement Park located on the corner of San Felipe (then Dallas) and Bailey streets. For Social Outings Real Place to Chat and Dance Go to the Golf Amusement Park on Sundays or any other evenings, under the shady trees and in the cool breezes. Everything is pleasant for Old and Young to enjoy themselves. Playing of all kind for the children. Dancing School in connection, if you want to learn the latest steps to see Alfred Reed, Dancing Instructor at the Golf Amusement Park, corner of San Felipe and Bailey streets. Alex – Manager Dee – Manager -Originators- Coming! Coming! Saturday night, July 28, the Chauffeurs' picnic and big band contest between Richardson's Jazz Six of Houston and Happy Six of Galveston, at Golf Amusement Park, San Felipe Street. Prizes for the one holding the lucky number. This park is now under new management and good order is guaranteed. Committee: L.N. Richardson, Dan Lewis, G.A. Allen, and Jesse Curtis. Music will be furnished by two bands and Davis' Louisiana Jazz Orchestra will play for dancing each night. Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel, Whip, and other concessions have been installed and additional hippodrome features have been secured, which promise to make this gala occasion indeed. The promoters announce a program with a millions new and novel features. Warning! Warning! You'll miss the time of your life if you miss coming out to the Grand Spring Opening at the Gulf Amusement Park. March 5-15, Inclusive. Two big bands – Davis' Louisiana Jazz for dancing. Big Street Parade and Style Show. Millions of New and Novel Features. Management: Young Men's Color Carnival Assn. Alex Manager, President

I was reading the newspaper The Houston Post dated July 2, 1908 and came across a 2nd amusement park in the Houston area that was called Electric Park. I wondered what the deal was with the two amusement parks with the same name so I went to Wikipedia: Electric Park was a name shared by dozens of amusement parks in the United States that were constructed as trolley parks and owned by electric companies and streetcar companies. Electric Park (The Home of Pure Fun) Every Minute an Hour of Pleasure and Every Hour a Day of Happiness. 25-High Class Attractions-25. Including the Tickler, Figure 8, Aerial Swing, Carry-Us-All, Lyceum Theater, Nickelodeon, Acme Theater, Box Ball Alleys, Pathe Theaters, Pool and Billiard Parlors, Automatic Shooting Gallery, Palm Garden and Café, Rocky Mountain Tavern, Mexican Restaurant, Japanese Roley Poley, Lone Star Theater, Ice Cream Parlor, Penny Arcade. Over 100.000 Have Ridden The Mammoth Aerial Swing Have You? ... If not- Why not? Electric Park Café. In Electric Park Pavilion. The place where everything is good and the waiters polite- Music. Frederickson & Stanich - Proprietors Ride On The Figure 8 Roller Coaster. The One Big Thriller on the Beach The newspaper Galveston Tribune dated May 29, 1906 had an ad for a retail café in the Electric Park that had a location of Beech Boulevard and Tremont. I am not sure of a present-day location of sorts. Do they mean the Tremont House area? The Tremont House (the rebuild) is located at present-day 2300 Ship Mechanic Row Street. I am not sure of the location of the original Tremont House that burned down in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Electric Park Cafe Beach Boulevard and Tremont. We serve meals to order. Excellent service and everything first-class. Courteous and careful attention given to all. Family Trade Specially Catered to. Fine Wines, Liquors, Cigars, and Beer Bottles. Frederickson & Stanich - Proprietors

I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated June 29, 1907 and came across an advertainment for Chutues Park Galveston, Tex...on Seawall Boulevard. Now open for the summer with all new and pleasing attractions. The greatest amusement resort on the Southern coast. You'll find these in the park- the famous Katzenjammer Castle: One continuous scream of laughter. The Palace of Wonders. Presenting the latest hand-colored imported animated reproduction's of the beautiful Fairy tales. The Parisian Illusions Theater. In which the world's famous SunGard's present the latest European sensation, "Aga, or the Floating Princes." The Fun Factory. Sixty laughs in one minute- don't miss it. The Famous Mystic Chutes. As 1100-foot science boat ride through underground tunnel and science regions. You pass through the Black Canyon and Royal Gorge of the Rocky Mountains, Fairyland, etc. A $15,000 attraction. The Caragraph of Tours of the World. The finest ever presented in the South- 500-mile ride for a dime. Armand's Novel Battle of the World and the City of Yesterday. This is the attraction that created such a big sen action at St. Louis World's Fair, where the admission was 50c. Now you see it for 10c. See it. You'll like it; everybody does. Hooligan's Crazy House. WHAT IS WHAT? Do you see what? Well, just guess awhile and guess again. The Great Delta Baseball Game. The only one in the South The Arctic Refreshment Parlor. The finest ice cream and soda resort in Texas for children, ladies, and gentlemen. Another ad from July 2, 1908: Some Attractions at Chutes Park: Happyland. Chutes Park on the Beach Vaudeville, Pictures, Songs, Music, Refreshments. Open All Day. Herrle, Brick, & Hubbard The G.T. Theater. The popular Play House Moving pictures, Vaudeville, Illustrated songs. Prof. Leo Beers, Musical Director All for Five Cents, includes a Glass of Cold Spring Water For the Best Ice Cream and Soda Water on the beach go to. Jamison's Parlors Next to Snug Harbor Hotel. We use Willis & Sullivan's Cream

What's the story with the Electric Park in downtown Houston? Wasn't this simply a name change from the other 1900s Houston park? Either the Highland Park that was located under the present-day Interstate-45 highway? Or the Colonial Park near Fannin? If I recall correctly, Highland Park was developed by an electric street car company. The names ad up, but not the locations? This ad from The Houston Post dated August 15, 1907 lists the location: San Jacinto, between Caroline and Prairie. The Houston Post dated February 18, 1906 has the article: The New Electric Park and Theater The Plans of the Building and a Forecast of Attractions for Houston's New Amusement Place. Matters in connection with the new summer theater and park, "Electric Park," are being rapidly pushed and soon the contractors will be at work constructing the buildings and laying out the grounds. Herewith is given the architect's drawing of the front elevation of the park, showing the theater entrance and the grand stand. In regard to the light, Electric park is to be "electric" indeed. More than enough power will be turned on to supply the lights and the place will be as bright as day after dark. The contract for the state appliances has been let to Clancy & Co. of Buffalo N.Y. but wherever possible the management intends to use home materials and employ home labor. A total investment of at least $20,000 seems likely from present indications and the figure may run as high as $25,000.

I was reading the newspaper La Grange Journal dated September 16, 1909 and came across Westheimer wedding article that specified the address of Mitchel Louis Westheimer's wife. It appeared in the Houston Post on Friday. The engagement of one of our prominent young men, Jake Alexander to Miss Carrie Westheimer of Houston. For some time Jake’s friends have been worried over the fact that Jake disappeared every now and then and landed invariable at Houston, but the secret is out now. We reproduced herewith the announcement which appeared in Sunday’s Post: This evening Miss Carrie Westheimer and Jake Alexander will receive their friends at the home of Miss Westheimer’s mother, Mrs. M.L. Westheimer, 1612 Hadley Avenue. Those who will be with them are the mothers of the prospective bridge and groom, Mrs. Westheimer and Mrs. Dora Alexander of LaGrange, Miss Rae Alexander, a sister; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Alexander, Mrs. Hellman being a sister and Mr. Alexander a brother. The prospective bride will have with her cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Sigmund J. Westheimer and Mrs. W.E. Gale and her sisters, Misses Aurelia and Mollie Westheimer. Mrs. Westheimer knitting at her home:

I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Post dated November 29, 1909 and came across a business ad for Sid Westheimer Co. Undertakers and Embalmers located at 104 San Jacinto Street - Phones Preston 227. I wonder if there's a photo of the building?

There has been some confusion about how Buffalo Speedway was named. In the discussion people have brought up the oval track on Westheimer Road and the oval track on Stella Link by the present-day Pershing Middle School. HAIF has figured out the large oval track on Stella Link near Buffalo Speedway was called the Houston Speedway, often times referred to the Bellaire Speedway. Nobody had concrete information about the oval track on Westheimer Road. Everything about the mysterious oval track was from maps and internet articles. I was researching Mitchell Louis Westheimer earlier this week. I was browsing the newspaper The Houston Daily Post dated January 4, 1896 and saw a classified ad by M.L. Westheimer about leasing of a race track. The ad states: Race Track For Lease- I will lease my one-mile regulation race track, three and one-half miles from Houston, to good, responsible parties. Address M.L. Westheimer, Houston. Here's a Bellaire map from 1921. You can see the edge of the city on the far right. The street grid with the rectangle dots that are, presumably, buildings. The oval track is roughly 3-1/2 miles west of the city. I think HAIF has finally figured this out! In the map by the oval track you can see the same rectangle dots and circular red dots. I'd imagine those were buildings (dwellings, stables, barns, shacks, etc.) and then red circles are, presumably, water wells. In 1906, Mitchell's wife posted a classified ad selling the remainder of the 640-Acre Westheimer farm. 88-1/2 acres left over. The ad states: My farm of 88 1/2 acres with dwellings, barns, wells, etc.; suitable for dairy or truck farm. Apply Mrs. M.L. Westheimer, 1501 Texas avenue.

I was looking at the Houstonhistorymagazine's Riverside Terrace and Environs: An Architectural Tour and notice the Abe Battelstein home designed by Joseph Finger.

Project Name: Reece - Houston Westheimer, TX Location Address: 3723 Westheimer Road Start Date: 4/17/2023 Estimated Cost: $600,000 Scope of Work: New mixed use office and warehouse building Square Footage: 7,327 ft 2 Design Firm Name: Abbot Studios