Gone but not forgotten . . .
Edna Ferber transformed the Shamrock into the "Conquistador" in her popular novel Giant (1952), and as such it was featured in the film Giant (1956), directed by George Stevens. The pool measured 165 by 142 feet. It was repeatedly described as the largest outdoor pool in the world, so large that it could accommodate exhibition waterskiing. Another popular activity was precision swimming. And I just learned lately that Mary Evelyn Prater ('63) swam on the Corkettes precision swimming team.
From http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/SS/ccs5.html
From http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/SS/ccs5.html
Six 1963 Corkettes
_From
the April 7, 1963, edition of the Houston Chronicle: “The Shamrock
Hilton Corkettes will be one of the top contenders in the National AAU
Synchronized Swimming Championships here next Friday, Saturday and
Sunday at the Tropicana pool. From left, Linda Wilson, Laura Jane
Foster, Toni Noble, Carol Soma, Anna Groth and Linda Bates. The San
Francisco Merionettes will be here to defend their crown.” Thanks to J.R. Gonzales again for featuring something of direct interest to our time period.
From: http://blog.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2008/03/the-shamrock-hotel-part-4-of-5/
The Corkettes started with a duet of swimmers who entered a synchro-swimming contest and performed in a show at the Shamrock Pool in 1949. Their names were: Joy Cushman and Jeanette Chase. They had been taking a water ballet class at the YWCA. The Shamrock management was so impressed with the show that it offerred the huge pool for practices. Cushman was a coach/swimmer and she led the local group to the 1950 national meet. The Corkettes Team grew to fifty and drew huge crowds whenever they performed. Mary Evelyn said that the workouts were quite tough -- they swam laps in that huge pool with sweatshirts on in order to gain strength and stamina.
From: http://books.google.com/books?id=o-dD3p8eTYUC&pg=PA44&lpg=PA44&dq=corkettes&source=bl&ots=Tth1IRzUUT&sig=rRbQvMsKF5BTYrbMMkpa3WCnjNo&hl=en&ei=0lu0TsWFGezgsQLBzJSABA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDIQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=corkettes&f=false
In 1989, Jeanette Chase was coaching a group of girls named the Aquanauts, one of the few synchro-swimming teams in Texas at the time. She had gotten her experience to lead these girls to championships from her years on the Corkettes in the late 1950s.
From:
http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1989_632984/aquanauts-still-alive-and-kicking-after-25-years-d.html
Joy Cushman went on to be inducted into the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame after coaching the Corkettes for more than thirty years.
From: http://tsdhof.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=46
From: http://blog.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2008/03/the-shamrock-hotel-part-4-of-5/
The Corkettes started with a duet of swimmers who entered a synchro-swimming contest and performed in a show at the Shamrock Pool in 1949. Their names were: Joy Cushman and Jeanette Chase. They had been taking a water ballet class at the YWCA. The Shamrock management was so impressed with the show that it offerred the huge pool for practices. Cushman was a coach/swimmer and she led the local group to the 1950 national meet. The Corkettes Team grew to fifty and drew huge crowds whenever they performed. Mary Evelyn said that the workouts were quite tough -- they swam laps in that huge pool with sweatshirts on in order to gain strength and stamina.
From: http://books.google.com/books?id=o-dD3p8eTYUC&pg=PA44&lpg=PA44&dq=corkettes&source=bl&ots=Tth1IRzUUT&sig=rRbQvMsKF5BTYrbMMkpa3WCnjNo&hl=en&ei=0lu0TsWFGezgsQLBzJSABA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDIQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=corkettes&f=false
In 1989, Jeanette Chase was coaching a group of girls named the Aquanauts, one of the few synchro-swimming teams in Texas at the time. She had gotten her experience to lead these girls to championships from her years on the Corkettes in the late 1950s.
From:
http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1989_632984/aquanauts-still-alive-and-kicking-after-25-years-d.html
Joy Cushman went on to be inducted into the Texas Swimming and Diving Hall of Fame after coaching the Corkettes for more than thirty years.
From: http://tsdhof.org/index.cfm?load=page&page=46
_
I had a friend whose family belonged to the Shamrock Club, which included the use of the swimming pool. In our ninth-grade year she and I went swimming there frequently. It took weeks, but I finally got the nerve to jump off the high platform. After that, we went off it many times. What a thrill!
I had a friend whose family belonged to the Shamrock Club, which included the use of the swimming pool. In our ninth-grade year she and I went swimming there frequently. It took weeks, but I finally got the nerve to jump off the high platform. After that, we went off it many times. What a thrill!
This is a photograph of an early postcard of the pool. Note the number of steps up to the top platform. It gave one a long time to think about what he or she was going to do and, I think, added to the suspense and excitement.
From: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2046189756129&set=o.107646629279272&type=1&theater&pid=2579208&id=1285973584
From: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2046189756129&set=o.107646629279272&type=1&theater&pid=2579208&id=1285973584
The hotel opened with fireworks displays in 1949 on St. Patrick's Day. Two thousand Houstonians paid $42 a person to have dinner at what was widely publicized as “Houston’s biggest party" which cost an estimated one million dollars.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamrock_Hotel
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamrock_Hotel
Inside the Shamrock
Trader Vic's was an excellent restaurant inside the hotel. I remember eating there once with my dad. This is a photo of a postcard which states on the back: "Famed the world over for excellent foods and exotic beverages in a relaxing tropical atmosphere."
From: http://www.cardcow.com/298360/trader-vics-at-shamrock-hilton-houston-texas/
From: http://www.cardcow.com/298360/trader-vics-at-shamrock-hilton-houston-texas/
The Emerald Room at the Shamrock -- a photo of a postcard. The back of the card states: "One of the nation's outstanding great ballrooms. Emerald Room will seat 1250 for banquet, 1600 for meetings. 103x103 without obstructing columns, room is the scene of most of the city's leading functions."
From: From: http://www.cardcow.com/234756/emerald-room-shamrock-hilton-houston-texas/
From: From: http://www.cardcow.com/234756/emerald-room-shamrock-hilton-houston-texas/
And, finally, the Regency Room at the Shamrock Hotel. The information on the back of the postcard states that "The Regency Room, seating more than 1800 people for banquets, this beautiful room seats 2500 people for meetings or converts into an exhibit area, being directly connected to the Hall of Exhibits, making a total of 42,000 square feet of exhibit area." In college, I attended a New Year's Eve Party (I think on December 31,1964, in this room and I believe it was opened to the Exhibit Area for that occasion.) What a treat that was!
From: http://www.cardcow.com/221235/shamrock-hilton-houston-texas/
From: http://www.cardcow.com/221235/shamrock-hilton-houston-texas/
And on to more Houston memories . . .
Red Elementary School opened its doors in 1957 with Mr. Sloan as principal. It offered Kindergarten through sixth grade. First grade had about 150 pupils in five classes, including my younger sister. At one time the school held almost 1,600 students.
From: http://es.houstonisd.org/RedES/history.htm
From: http://es.houstonisd.org/RedES/history.htm
This is a photo of the front drive of the Ezekiel Cullen Building on the University of Houston Campus. The building's groundbreaking ceremony was May 14, 1948. This picture was taken August 7, 1950 just before it was occupied in October, 1950. At the time of the picture my family and I were living in veteran housing, a small trailer, on campus so that my father could attend college on the GI Bill. Then I continued the family tradition and started classes on campus in the summer of 1963.
From digital.lib.uh.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php
From digital.lib.uh.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php
Family-style dining was offered near the monument that is taller than the Washington Monument. The San Jacinto Inn, a restaurant once located near the Battleship Texas, went out of business many years ago but people still talk about the quality and quantity of the food. In business since World War I, the San Jacinto Inn closed in 1987 after a devastating fire, writes Carol J Rhodes. It was owned by the late J. Frank BoBo at the time, she continues.
There was no variation in the menu, consisting of seafood, fried chicken, biscuits and jam, and you could eat all you wanted. The waiters — and this restaurant did have one of the best wait staffs in the history of Texas — would bring on the multiple helpings, just for the asking.
The San Jacinto Inn did its part in building the San Jacinto Monument — with food, of course. When the base of the monument required 57 hours of continuous concrete pour, the San Jacinto Inn served workers sandwiches and coffee every four hours.
From: bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php
There was no variation in the menu, consisting of seafood, fried chicken, biscuits and jam, and you could eat all you wanted. The waiters — and this restaurant did have one of the best wait staffs in the history of Texas — would bring on the multiple helpings, just for the asking.
The San Jacinto Inn did its part in building the San Jacinto Monument — with food, of course. When the base of the monument required 57 hours of continuous concrete pour, the San Jacinto Inn served workers sandwiches and coffee every four hours.
From: bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php
This ad from Texas Monthly shows us a great aerial view of the restaurant in its early days.
By 1934, Prince's had expanded to Houston from Dallas and carhops had been added. Food was served on a tray that was hung on the window of a customer's car.
From http://princeshamburgers.com/
"Our" Prince's drive-in was located out South Main, right across from Stuart's Drive-in, and another one was located across from Sears on South Main. Of course, they were all over town and one was still operating on the Gulf Freeway when I was in college and for long after that.
In my memory, Stuart's was the drive-in with the air conditioner vents that pulled down to the car window. We could eat in our car in the cool in the summer! And yet another famous drive-in restaurant of those days was Trainer's.
From http://princeshamburgers.com/
"Our" Prince's drive-in was located out South Main, right across from Stuart's Drive-in, and another one was located across from Sears on South Main. Of course, they were all over town and one was still operating on the Gulf Freeway when I was in college and for long after that.
In my memory, Stuart's was the drive-in with the air conditioner vents that pulled down to the car window. We could eat in our car in the cool in the summer! And yet another famous drive-in restaurant of those days was Trainer's.
The picture above is from: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150341344795552&set=o.107646629279272&type=1&theater&pid=9928321&id=542550551
But, there is more history, as there almost always is!
The 15-cent hamburger on “Prince’s original poppy seed bun” was a big attraction, second only to the comely carhops who delivered the food. Prince’s began in [Houston] 1935 in an old Weber Root Beer stand. Not until March 1936 could Doug Prince add his name to his creation, which was located on South Main. To give the impression of an established restaurant chain, Prince called the first one Prince’s No. 10. Eventually, the operation would have 11 drive-ins. Some became real landmarks in the city, especially the sleek Art Deco drive-in at South Main and Old Spanish Trail and the one built inside a 100-foot yacht. An added attraction were the nickelodeons that played when you put a coin in the slot of the menu stand by each car.
“Come as you are, eat in your car” became a famous slogan for the restaurants. This was made possible, of course, by the carhops. Their first outfits — called costumes, not uniforms — were made of sequined satin and had extremely short skirts. Since the eating establishment across the street from No. 10 also had waitresses attired in brief skirts [Stuart's or Sivel's?], a contest erupted between the two competing businesses over the length of hemlines, and up they shot. Shorts even replaced some of the skirts. Then the state liquor board clamped down, declaring the carhops’ hems must touch the knee. Prince’s eventually dressed their carhops in slacks.
Carhops, however, became a national institution. Contests were held to judge them on their appearance, costume and skills. And winners were celebrated.
From: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/06/29/story15.html
The 15-cent hamburger on “Prince’s original poppy seed bun” was a big attraction, second only to the comely carhops who delivered the food. Prince’s began in [Houston] 1935 in an old Weber Root Beer stand. Not until March 1936 could Doug Prince add his name to his creation, which was located on South Main. To give the impression of an established restaurant chain, Prince called the first one Prince’s No. 10. Eventually, the operation would have 11 drive-ins. Some became real landmarks in the city, especially the sleek Art Deco drive-in at South Main and Old Spanish Trail and the one built inside a 100-foot yacht. An added attraction were the nickelodeons that played when you put a coin in the slot of the menu stand by each car.
“Come as you are, eat in your car” became a famous slogan for the restaurants. This was made possible, of course, by the carhops. Their first outfits — called costumes, not uniforms — were made of sequined satin and had extremely short skirts. Since the eating establishment across the street from No. 10 also had waitresses attired in brief skirts [Stuart's or Sivel's?], a contest erupted between the two competing businesses over the length of hemlines, and up they shot. Shorts even replaced some of the skirts. Then the state liquor board clamped down, declaring the carhops’ hems must touch the knee. Prince’s eventually dressed their carhops in slacks.
Carhops, however, became a national institution. Contests were held to judge them on their appearance, costume and skills. And winners were celebrated.
From: http://www.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/06/29/story15.html
Another Southwest Houston Drive-in
Attif's, or was it Atiff's?, was on South Post Oak near W. Bellfort. This painting is part of a mural done by Charles Burwell ('64) for the Fortieth Westbury High School Reunion. The original is a canvas drop 9 feet by 22 feet, and is one of four that Charles did for that celebration. Friend Bill Hirsch happened to remember what the sign looked like and the rest is done from memory with artistic license applied. Thanks Charles for sharing this with us.
Two Places with Wonderful Roller Coasters
Before there was a Six Flags or Astroworld presence in Houston, we had a popular place in the 9200 block of South Main known as Playland Park. From sometime in the mid-1940s through the grand opening of its spiffy successor, Astroworld, Playland Park was the place to go for action in thrill rides, speeding car races, carnival games, and occasional music performances by young unknowns such as Elvis Presley.
From http://www.chron.com/commons
From http://www.chron.com/commons
In a 1947 pamphlet about what to do in Houston, Playland Park was given this write-up.
From: http://www.scribd.com/doc/53604213/You-re-in-Houston-Aug-1947
From: http://www.scribd.com/doc/53604213/You-re-in-Houston-Aug-1947
AstroWorld opened to the public on June 1, 1968 with 50,000 guests visiting the first weekend. It was located, of course, across from the AstroDome. Parking was on the Dome parking lot and visitors rode small electric vehicles or walked across the walkway over the 610 Loop to the entrance of the theme park. I loved the old-fashioned wooden roller coaster at Astroworld named the Texas Cyclone.
The Texas Cyclone
This photo at sunset is from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Cyclone
This photo is from: http://uh.edu/engines/epi337.htm
From Ranch Land to Meyerland
The following five pictures and most of the text are from http://blogs.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2010/02/meyerland_plaza_in_pictures.html
Cancan dancers, flamenco dancers and an actual balloon used in the film Around the World in 80 Days were just some of the festivities that opened Meyerland Plaza on Oct. 31, 1957. At the time, the Houston Chronicle said the shopping center was located "in the heart of the luxury residential additions of Southwest Houston." An Oct. 27, 1957, article mentioned that the center was designed to maintain a suburban feeling that matched the rest of the neighborhood.
The balloon from the film Around the World in 80 Days lifts off from Meyerland Plaza shopping center. Balloonist Peter Pellegrino and co-pilot Francis Shields guided the balloon from its liftoff at Meyerland to a vacant lot at the intersection of Stuebner-Airline and West Road. A visitor to our site named Art (Bellaire '67) noted that helicopter rides were also offered during the festivities. He also noted that for a number of years, there were public Easter egg hunts in the field across from Meyerland. About 10,000 were said to have attended the grand opening ceremonies.
I had a suspicion that this photo was mislabeled, and John Keenmon, a Bellaire (1974) visitor to our site, figured it out: the labels for White's and Woolworth's should exchange places. I am always glad when little mysteries like that are solved.
The Woolworth location was considered the largest suburban store in the South and the Mading's Drugstore location was thought to be the chain's largest. The Grant's store was the 675th in the chain. By 1957, the chain had been in the Houston area for 33 years. Meryerland's grand opening prizes included a 1958 Chevrolet given away by Meyer Bros. In fact, the Meyer Bros. store was the chain's 10th store. Other prizes included two, 33-day trips around the world.
The Woolworth location was considered the largest suburban store in the South and the Mading's Drugstore location was thought to be the chain's largest. The Grant's store was the 675th in the chain. By 1957, the chain had been in the Houston area for 33 years. Meryerland's grand opening prizes included a 1958 Chevrolet given away by Meyer Bros. In fact, the Meyer Bros. store was the chain's 10th store. Other prizes included two, 33-day trips around the world.
From the Oct. 27, 1957, Houston Chronicle: "They're putting the finishing touches on Meyerland Plaza, giant shopping center on S. Post Oak Rd. The center is scheduled to open Thursday. This is the center as seen from the northeast corner." The center had enough parking spots to accommodate 3,600 cars.
This is the Meyerland Plaza Annex shown in the upper right portion of the labeled picture above. From the March 26, 1958, Houston Chronicle: "Located on Beechnut St. and Post Oak Rd., across from Meyerland Plaza Shopping Center, Meyerland Plaza [Annex] officially opens Thursday. Merchants in the annex will stage a four-day grand opening celebration." Some of the original stores at the center included Jamail's, European Import Co., Dutch Kettle, Borel's Bakery and Meyerland Television Service.
A Hero Emerges from Tragedy
As is very often the case, J.R. Gonzales in his blog entitled "Bayou City History" describes the situation best:
"Shortly before 10:30 p.m. on March 15, 1961, [Capt. Gary L.] Herod took off from Ellington Air Force Base to return to Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio.
For this flight, Herod would be piloting a T-33 trainer. He was no novice in the cockpit, though. The Air National Guardsman — who typically flew F-102s — had spent more than 10 years with the Air National Guard and had been a pilot since 1952.
Alone in the T-33, Herod followed a course that took him near Houston International Airport and across the southern half of Harris County.
About 10 minutes after he took off Herod radioed that his engine had flamed out and that he was losing altitude. Air traffic crews at Houston International Airport told him he could try to attempt a landing at Andrau Air Park on Westheimer.
“It doesn’t look like I’m going to make it,” Herod said, later noting that his altitude was 1,500 feet. He weighed whether to eject from the plane."
According to the Houston Post article about the incident, when Herod was asked if he was going to eject, he replied "not yet."
J.R. Gonzales goes on to say: "One has to wonder what Herod saw as he looked out his cockpit window that night. Maybe he saw rows and rows of newly built houses that made up Westbury and Meyerland. And maybe he thought of the families sleeping in those houses below and was reminded of his own family: his pregnant wife and their young daughter.
As his plane descended toward earth, Herod guided it toward a clearing just west of Chimney Rock and North Braeswood, away from the houses and away from those sleeping families . . . The Houston Chronicle reported that the plane dug a 5-foot-deep crater into the ground and missed nearby power lines. The jet’s ejection seat fired, apparently on impact, the Post said, and Herod’s body was thrown from plane toward the bayou. That night, Herod — sacrificing his own life to ensure the lives of others would not be threatened — became a hero."
In his honor is Herod Elementary School on Jason Street and The Hero Tree and plaque near Meyerland Shopping Center and a few miles east of the crash site.
"Shortly before 10:30 p.m. on March 15, 1961, [Capt. Gary L.] Herod took off from Ellington Air Force Base to return to Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio.
For this flight, Herod would be piloting a T-33 trainer. He was no novice in the cockpit, though. The Air National Guardsman — who typically flew F-102s — had spent more than 10 years with the Air National Guard and had been a pilot since 1952.
Alone in the T-33, Herod followed a course that took him near Houston International Airport and across the southern half of Harris County.
About 10 minutes after he took off Herod radioed that his engine had flamed out and that he was losing altitude. Air traffic crews at Houston International Airport told him he could try to attempt a landing at Andrau Air Park on Westheimer.
“It doesn’t look like I’m going to make it,” Herod said, later noting that his altitude was 1,500 feet. He weighed whether to eject from the plane."
According to the Houston Post article about the incident, when Herod was asked if he was going to eject, he replied "not yet."
J.R. Gonzales goes on to say: "One has to wonder what Herod saw as he looked out his cockpit window that night. Maybe he saw rows and rows of newly built houses that made up Westbury and Meyerland. And maybe he thought of the families sleeping in those houses below and was reminded of his own family: his pregnant wife and their young daughter.
As his plane descended toward earth, Herod guided it toward a clearing just west of Chimney Rock and North Braeswood, away from the houses and away from those sleeping families . . . The Houston Chronicle reported that the plane dug a 5-foot-deep crater into the ground and missed nearby power lines. The jet’s ejection seat fired, apparently on impact, the Post said, and Herod’s body was thrown from plane toward the bayou. That night, Herod — sacrificing his own life to ensure the lives of others would not be threatened — became a hero."
In his honor is Herod Elementary School on Jason Street and The Hero Tree and plaque near Meyerland Shopping Center and a few miles east of the crash site.
In addtion to these two honors, the Air Force awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the state awarded him the Texas Meritorious Service Medal.
From: http://blog.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2011/03/the-hero-behind-herod-elementary/
and: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_L._Herod
I was reminded of this incident by Bill Pelham (Bellaire '68) who visited this site and kindly wrote to remind me of several things. I really enjoy it when someone takes the time to do that. Thank you, Bill.
From: http://blog.chron.com/bayoucityhistory/2011/03/the-hero-behind-herod-elementary/
and: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_L._Herod
I was reminded of this incident by Bill Pelham (Bellaire '68) who visited this site and kindly wrote to remind me of several things. I really enjoy it when someone takes the time to do that. Thank you, Bill.
These Three Beauties Should Have Been Preserved
The Metropolitan Theatre was truly a lavish and magnificent representation of its Egyptian-themed decor. Millions of pieces of ceramic tile were inlaid to form floor and wall mosaic murals of the pharaohs and ancient Egyptian symbols. A sphinx guarded the temple-like balcony approaches.
I loved the dowtown theatres, but I must say that I did not appreciate them properly until they were gone.
From http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1702/
I loved the dowtown theatres, but I must say that I did not appreciate them properly until they were gone.
From http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1702/
The Metropolitian opened on December 25, 1926. An innovative hydraulic pit raised the Metropolitan Orchestra up into sight for elaborate stage presentations.
From http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1702/
From http://cinematreasures.org/theater/1702/
Next door to the Metropolitan on Main was the Lowe's Theatre. This photo is of the Loew’s State balcony. Clearly in view is the 23-foot-diameter dome supporting the Czechoslovakian chandelier. Around the base of the dome are thousands of concealed electric lights. (Photo courtesy Houston Metropolitan Research Center) This trio of theatres, these two and the next one around the corner, represented the zenith of opulence in movie theatre design during the twenties. Whereas the Metropolitan went for an over-the-top Egyptian theme, the Loew's State was more restrained, yet ornate, with lobby antique furniture brought in from the Vanderbuilt estate.
From www.cinemahouston.info/palaces.shtml
From www.cinemahouston.info/palaces.shtml
The third theatre that Karl Hoblitzelle ever built was the Majestic in Houston, and is rightly considered to be the greatest movie theatre ever built in the city. Credit for this largely rests with the vision of architect John Eberson, whose design was not of a theatre interior at all, but an outdoor garden of some exotic, far-away locale with a starlit sky overhead — set within the conventional indoor auditorium. The Mediterranean blue ceiling, inset with twinkling lights, featured clouds that floated lazily over the heads of the audience. This was the world’s first “atmospheric” movie theatre.
From www.cinemahouston.info/palaces.shtml
From www.cinemahouston.info/palaces.shtml
The 1923 Majestic interior was unique to John Eberson’s auditorium design. The side walls were of completely different shape and influence. Above it all was his trademark atmospheric blue ceiling. I remember always hoping that the movie that I wanted to see would be showing at the Majestic because it was my favorite of the three big downtown theatres.
Photo courtesy Houston Metropolitan Research Center
This photo of the exterior of the Majestic Theatre was probably taken in 1968 when Deadfall premiered.
From: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=212348342123422&set=o.107646629279272&type=1&theater&pid=700071&id=100000447728809
From: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=212348342123422&set=o.107646629279272&type=1&theater&pid=700071&id=100000447728809
More Entertainment . . .
One of our favorite places was "out South Main" and was called Kiddie Wonderland, although in my house we called it "Kiddieland." This place for smaller children had cars, a train, several other small rides, and the beloved Pony Rides that we all remember.
This picture is from: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=452416755551&set=o.107646629279272&type=1&theater&pid=6486322&id=542550551
This is a typical sight from those days -- mom dressed in heels, stockings, and a dress walking around the pony track with her child in a little pony cart.
From: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53855945666
From: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53855945666
A Familiar Face
Marvin Zindler joined KTRK Channel 13 on January 1, 1973, and remained on the air until his death in 2007. He is mostly remembered as a consumer advocate, although he had many roles in television news during his long career. His family owned Zindler's Men's Store which was located at Congress and Fannin and billed itself as the South’s largest men’s and boy’s wear store. Their advertising slogans included ‘On Courtesy Corner’ and ‘Where Your Car Stops.’ .
But, in his younger days, in the 1950s, Marvin Zindler was a successful tabloid-style photographer for the original Houston Press newspaper. He got the nickname of "Night Hawk" because he traveled around town late at night looking for the perfect pictures of sex, violence, and whatever else might be controversial. On a good night, he reached the carnage before the cops did. He shot photos for the Houston Press - the old Houston Press, the afternoon tabloid that prided itself on splash and flash, sex and violence. As Zindler's biographer, Joseph Agris, later wrote, it was "a paper that, by journalistic standards, had no standards at all."
From: http://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/As-Night-Hawk-Marvin-Zindler-chronicled-seedy-1690337.php
Photo from: http://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/As-Night-Hawk-Marvin-Zindler-chronicled-seedy-1690337.php
Zindler's Store information from: http://houstonradiohistory.blogspot.com/2007/04/1922-part-2-may-wcak-and-houston-post.html
From: http://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/As-Night-Hawk-Marvin-Zindler-chronicled-seedy-1690337.php
Photo from: http://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/As-Night-Hawk-Marvin-Zindler-chronicled-seedy-1690337.php
Zindler's Store information from: http://houstonradiohistory.blogspot.com/2007/04/1922-part-2-may-wcak-and-houston-post.html
THREE Daily Newspapers
When we were growing up, we had three daily newspapers. My family always subscribed to at least two of them. The three were the aforementioned Houston Press, the Houston Post, and the Houston Chronicle.
The Houston Press
This is one of Marvin Zindler's famous tabloid-style photos: "Torrid Tony Goes to Jail, 1953."
From: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2011/02/bayou_city_noir_the_photograph.php
From: http://blogs.houstonpress.com/artattack/2011/02/bayou_city_noir_the_photograph.php
The old Houston Press was not averse to sensationalism, and Houston in the 1950s obliged the proclivity. Zindler worked the crime beat, and would cruise the dark streets of the city while listening to a police radio. When a story broke, he was there in a flash. Zindler’s photos were frequently featured on the front page and barked headlines such as: “Had one wife too many!” showing a sheriff apprehending a man whose fourth, (and last) wife was from Houston. The series titled “Madman captured!” features shots of a large, wild-eyed, broken-toothed man busting out of handcuffs, then restrained and bent over a bar stool. Nothing was too sensational for Zindler. Pretty women and prostitutes were favorite subjects. Zindler neither confirmed nor denied the rumor that if the corpse at a crime scene wasn’t sufficiently morbid, Zindler used catsup on the deceased to liven it up. But the subject was mentioned in a biography of his life.
Besides Zindler, notable former staff members include Walter Cronkite, who later became the CBS news anchor; Thomas Thompson, author of "Hearts" and "Blood and Money"; Donald Forst, later editor of New York Newsday and The Village Voice; Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and biographer Vance H. Trimble; columnists Sig Byrd ("The Stroller") and Carl Victor Little ("By The Way"); and gossip columnist Maxine Mesinger.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Press_%28Scripps_Howard%29
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Press_%28Scripps_Howard%29
The Houston Press was founded on September 25, 1911, and until its demise on March 20, 1964, it was the most colorful of the three twentieth-century Houston daily newspapers. It was a Scripps-Howard newspaper and had a general reputation for exposing the seamier side of life in Houston and for keeping Houston politicians on their toes. The Press style of journalism was established by its first editor, Paul C. Edwards, and that style flourished under later editors Marcellus E. Foster, 1926–36, who had founded and edited the Houston Chronicle, and George Carmack, 1946–64. The Press began publication on the corner of Capital and Bagby streets; in 1927 it moved to Rusk and Chartres streets. In 1963 it averaged a daily circulation of 90,000 and employed over 300 persons; however, it operated at a loss during the early 1960s. On March 20, 1964, president and publisher Ray L. Powers and editor Carmack announced to the assembled newspaper staff that it was preparing the last issue of the Press. The newspaper had been sold by Scripps-Howard to the Houston Chronicle for a price estimated in excess of four million dollars.
From: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eeh05
I remember my parents' explaining that the Houston Press was not real journalism and that I was not to read that "trash." But I did every chance that I got, of course.
From: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eeh05
I remember my parents' explaining that the Houston Press was not real journalism and that I was not to read that "trash." But I did every chance that I got, of course.
The Houston Post
A 1953 photo of the newsroom of The Houston Post from: http://www.angelfire.com/tx4/toastedposties/postphotohistory.html
(Note: the numbers on the picture. The names of the people can be found at this angelfire link.)
The Houston Post actually started in 1880 and had an up-and-down history for many years. William P. Hobby, president of the paper since 1924, acquired a controlling interest in 1939. Several famous people worked for the Houston Post, including William Sydney Porter who became the famous short story writer O. Henry. In 1949 the paper had a paid circulation of 165,667 daily and 177,913 on Sundays. By the early 1950s the Houston Post Company had acquired television station KPRC, and in January 1955 the company opened a new $4 million office building. In August 1955 Hobby became chairman of the board of directors; his wife, Oveta Culp Hobby, became president and editor. When Hobby died in 1964, the Post remained under the management of Mrs. Hobby, assisted by their son, William P. Hobby, Jr., who served as executive editor and executive vice president. In 1969 William H. Gardner was named chief editorial writer and editor, and in the 1970s the paper again became a pioneer with its use of computer-set type. By October 12, 1975, Oveta Culp Hobby was editor and chairman of the board, William P. Hobby, Jr., was executive editor and president (and also lieutenant governor of Texas), and Edwin D. Hunter was vice president and managing editor.
From: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eeh04
In April 1995 the Houston Post closed its doors, and the Hearst Corporation purchased the Post's assets from the Media News Group, making the Chronicle the only major daily in Houston.
From: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eeh02
The Houston Post actually started in 1880 and had an up-and-down history for many years. William P. Hobby, president of the paper since 1924, acquired a controlling interest in 1939. Several famous people worked for the Houston Post, including William Sydney Porter who became the famous short story writer O. Henry. In 1949 the paper had a paid circulation of 165,667 daily and 177,913 on Sundays. By the early 1950s the Houston Post Company had acquired television station KPRC, and in January 1955 the company opened a new $4 million office building. In August 1955 Hobby became chairman of the board of directors; his wife, Oveta Culp Hobby, became president and editor. When Hobby died in 1964, the Post remained under the management of Mrs. Hobby, assisted by their son, William P. Hobby, Jr., who served as executive editor and executive vice president. In 1969 William H. Gardner was named chief editorial writer and editor, and in the 1970s the paper again became a pioneer with its use of computer-set type. By October 12, 1975, Oveta Culp Hobby was editor and chairman of the board, William P. Hobby, Jr., was executive editor and president (and also lieutenant governor of Texas), and Edwin D. Hunter was vice president and managing editor.
From: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eeh04
In April 1995 the Houston Post closed its doors, and the Hearst Corporation purchased the Post's assets from the Media News Group, making the Chronicle the only major daily in Houston.
From: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/eeh02
The Houston Chronicle
This is a photo of the very first front page of The Houston Chronicle on October 14, 1901.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Chronicle
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Chronicle
A 1934 (note the movie that is being advertised) photo of The Houston Chronicle Office.
From: http://www.pedimentbooks.com/store/product/houston-texas-175-a-pictorial-celebration-of-houston-175th-anniversary-book-presented-by-the-chronicle/
From: http://www.pedimentbooks.com/store/product/houston-texas-175-a-pictorial-celebration-of-houston-175th-anniversary-book-presented-by-the-chronicle/
The Houston Chronicle was created in 1901 by former Houston Post reporter Marcellus E. Foster with $30 that he got after investing in the Spindletop oil boom. This paper has always had strong-willed publishers that were key to the continued popularity of the paper for over 100 years. Of course, Marcellus E. Foster was the first publisher. The first newspaper was distributed on October 14, 1901.
After Jesse H. Jones' death, his nephew John T. Jones took over as editor of the Chronicle and J. Howard Creekmore was publisher. William P. Steven was also hired as editor because of his experience in helping declining popularity of newspapers. In 1964, the Houston Chronicle purchased the Houston Press and was now the only evening newspaper. In the same year, the Chronicle reached a milestone as being the largest paper in Texas with a circulation of 254,000. Same source.
In 1994, only a morning edition of the newspaper remained in print and in 1995, the Houston Chronicle became the city’s only major daily newspaper with the closing of the Houston Post. (Of course, it still is the only major Houston newspaper today.)
From: http://www.urbancitylifetv.com/city-of-houston/214-houston-chronicle-newspaper
After Jesse H. Jones' death, his nephew John T. Jones took over as editor of the Chronicle and J. Howard Creekmore was publisher. William P. Steven was also hired as editor because of his experience in helping declining popularity of newspapers. In 1964, the Houston Chronicle purchased the Houston Press and was now the only evening newspaper. In the same year, the Chronicle reached a milestone as being the largest paper in Texas with a circulation of 254,000. Same source.
In 1994, only a morning edition of the newspaper remained in print and in 1995, the Houston Chronicle became the city’s only major daily newspaper with the closing of the Houston Post. (Of course, it still is the only major Houston newspaper today.)
From: http://www.urbancitylifetv.com/city-of-houston/214-houston-chronicle-newspaper
The AFL Comes to Houston
The Houston Oilers appeared in the first three AFL championships. They scored an important victory over the NFL when they signed LSU's Heisman Trophy winner, All-America running back Billy Cannon. Cannon joined other Oiler offensive stars such as quarterback George Blanda, flanker Charlie Hennigan, running back Charlie Tolar, and guard Bob Talamini. After winning the first-ever AFL championship over the Los Angeles Chargers in 1960, they repeated over the same team (then in San Diego) in 1961. They lost to the Dallas Texans in the classic 1962 double-overtime AFL championship game, at the time the longest professional football championship game ever played. In 1962, the Oilers were the first AFL team to sign an active NFL player away from the other league, when wide receiver Willard Dewveall left the Bears to join the champion Oilers. Dewveall that year caught the longest pass reception for a touchdown in professional American football history, 99 yards, from Jacky Lee, against the San Diego Chargers.
The Oilers won the AFL Eastern Division title again in 1967, then became the first professional football team to play in a domed stadium, when they moved into Houston's Astrodome for the 1968 season. Previously, the Oilers had played at Jeppesen Stadium at the University of Houston (now called Robertson Stadium) from 1960 to 1964, and Rice University's stadium from 1965 to 1967. Owner Bud Adams had intended that the team play at Rice from the first, but Rice's Board of Regents initially rejected the move. After the Astrodome opened for business, Adams attempted to move there, but could not negotiate an acceptable lease with the Houston Sports Association (owners of the Houston Astros) from whom he would sublease the Dome. The 1969 season, the last as an AFL team, saw Houston begin 3-1, but tumble afterwards. They qualified for the playoffs, but were annihilated by the Raiders 56-7, to finish the year with a record of 6-6-1. The years immediately after the AFL-NFL merger were not as kind to the Oilers, who sank to the bottom of the AFC Central division.
The Oilers played here through the 1996 season. At the end of the 1995 season Adams announced that the Oilers would be moving to Nashville for the 1998 season. City officials there promised to contribute $144 million toward a new stadium, as well as $70 million in ticket sales. At that point, support for the Oilers in the Houston area all but disappeared.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Tennessee_Titans
The Oilers won the AFL Eastern Division title again in 1967, then became the first professional football team to play in a domed stadium, when they moved into Houston's Astrodome for the 1968 season. Previously, the Oilers had played at Jeppesen Stadium at the University of Houston (now called Robertson Stadium) from 1960 to 1964, and Rice University's stadium from 1965 to 1967. Owner Bud Adams had intended that the team play at Rice from the first, but Rice's Board of Regents initially rejected the move. After the Astrodome opened for business, Adams attempted to move there, but could not negotiate an acceptable lease with the Houston Sports Association (owners of the Houston Astros) from whom he would sublease the Dome. The 1969 season, the last as an AFL team, saw Houston begin 3-1, but tumble afterwards. They qualified for the playoffs, but were annihilated by the Raiders 56-7, to finish the year with a record of 6-6-1. The years immediately after the AFL-NFL merger were not as kind to the Oilers, who sank to the bottom of the AFC Central division.
The Oilers played here through the 1996 season. At the end of the 1995 season Adams announced that the Oilers would be moving to Nashville for the 1998 season. City officials there promised to contribute $144 million toward a new stadium, as well as $70 million in ticket sales. At that point, support for the Oilers in the Houston area all but disappeared.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Tennessee_Titans
The Oilers played their games at Jeppesen Stadium from 1960 - 1964. (This appears to be a University of Houston game.) From: http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/tenhou/houoilerspics.html
This is a photo of the January 1, 1961, AFL Championship Game at Jeppesen Stadium. This game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Houston Oilers "was typical of the high-risk, exciting brand of football that the AFL was known for." The Oilers won 38 -28.
From: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/multimedia/photos/?c=y&articleID=81499632&page=3
and http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/The-American-Football-Leagues-Foolish-Club.html#
At the following site are thirty plus excellent thumbnails of this game. One has to register to see the full-size photos:
From: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/multimedia/photos/?c=y&articleID=81499632&page=3
and http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/The-American-Football-Leagues-Foolish-Club.html#
At the following site are thirty plus excellent thumbnails of this game. One has to register to see the full-size photos:
The official Houston Oiler Logo from1960 - 1961:
Then the Logo for 1961 - 1968 was:
Source of Logos: http://www.sportslogos.net/team.php?id=186
The Oilers played at Rice Stadium from 1965 - 1967. From: http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nfl/tenhou/houoilerspics.html
Then, of course, the team played in the Astrodome from 1968 until 1996. The sixties produced such famous players as Charlie Tolar, George Blanda and Billy Cannon.