Astrodome, original scoreboard
I loved the snorting bulls and six shooters. And the concerts… and the rodeos. Who remembers ‘Luv Ya Blue’?
Alabama Theater
The Alabama on S. Shepherd opened October 23, 1939 with the film “Man About Town”, starring Jack Benny and Dorothy Lamour.
I remember the Alabama [as it's always been known] as a Bookstop in the River Oaks Shopping Center, sandwiched between Whole Earth on one side and Whole Foods on the other, a Butera’s sandwich shop on the south end.
They finally closed the Bookstop last year and though the old Alabama is listed as a historic building, it’s definitely on the ‘endangered’ list.
I loved that shopping center but don’t think I want to see the big, bland concrete edifices that have gone up on either side of the Alabama. Progress, you know.
The River Oaks theater on West Gray, also built in 1939, is sort of a ‘sister’ site and is also endangered.
Garden Oaks
Maaarvin Zindler, eyewitness news!
Astroworld
Opened June 1, 1968 on 57 acres, it ultimately expanded to over 75.
Sold to Six Flags in 1975, it was our Disneyland. Its last day of operation was October 30, 2005 and it was demolished soon after. According to wiki the space where it stood is now empty grassland used occasionally for parking.
That’s just sad.
Allen Parkway
We all ate Sunbeam... and liked it.
Constructing 288
Gaidos
The Shamrock Hotel
Constructed near the Texas Medical Center in the forties, the Shamrock succumbed to Houston’s deep micro depression of the eighties and was demolished in 1987.
Houston Police mounted patrol
On the way to Galveston
Kiterick
If you were a child in the Houston area in the 60′s, chances were excellent that you watched Kiterick on channel 13 every afternoon.
I lived in Houston from about ’84 – 96′…some of those landmarks I remember…and ol’ Marv…him and his blue glasses, reporting on SLIIIIIIME in the ice machine! And wasn’t he the one who helped shut down the Chicken Ranch?
Yep, that was him! What a clown… but like Mr. Save You Money on I45, a loved character. Every city has ‘em, I guess.
Thanks for remembering with me!
Oh, yeah, who was that save-you-money guy? A skinny little guy, but I think he was a big philanthropist.
That “save you money guy” is Jim McIngvale… He’s still as maniac as he was 30 years ago…
True story… Once took the mother-in-law (aka Preacher’s wife) furniture shopping… Walked in the front door of McIngvales’ store and he is right up front screaming “f***” bombs into a phone at the top of his lungs… Never saw a 180 turn executed so quickly…
Loved baseball in the Astrodome but Minute Maid Park is pretty special too…
And Ms. Pam?… You’ll be happy to know the damned Gulf Freeway is STILL under construction….
davek
Hell, Dave, last time I was there EVERY freeway was still under construction! LOL! It’s a perpetual thing…
I bought a sofa from Gallery furniture back when it was just a tent city sort of outfit on I45. I’m sure he’s branched out since then.
1945…WWII is over…the Japanese civilization is devasted…construction is started on the Gulf Freeway.
2010…Japan is a world power…and the Gulf Freeway is STILL under construction.
Maybe we should get the Japanese to work on it?
The nearest thing to a lifetime contract is to be an illegal alien on a road construction gang. They build the road. Then they start repairing the first part. By the time the finish repairing the last part, it’s time to go back to the first part.
Unfortunately, no one knows how to build a road that lasts. I was talking to my congresscritter a few decades back while a part of the detail around a big political hoo-raw while we were standing around (politics requires all most as much standing around as military service) and asked him why we could not try rubber roads and concrete tires. Roads don’t last. Tires don’t last. Why not trade and see if that would last better?
I like the rubber roads idea… but concrete tires? You’re an out-of-the-box thinker, Peter!
:thumbs:
Loved the pictures!
We have moved back here but have not ventured out much. Hubby and I went on a date Friday night and went to Goode Co. Seafood. They still have the best seafood going if you want grilled. We ate till we were ready to POP! Thought of you though! 
Oh, my gawd I miss that food…! Heck, right now I miss most food. But those grilled shrimp…
I think I just slobbered all over myself like a St. Bernard. :shock:
bonna,
Try the Saltwater Grill just off the strand in Galveston…
Easily up to Goode Co. standards…
davek
Thanks! We will since it is just as close to go to Galveston from our house in Friendswood. Always up for Good Seafood! :thumbs: