Gone but not forgotten- Old Corpus Christi (Houston, Texas City: living, mall)

[Martha1945]

Originally Posted by Kibby

The Staples Picks was at Staples & Everhart and was similar to a Sonic with pull in parking. The Downtown Pick's was totally different. Cars would line up and park in rows - when someone needed to leave, you would move your car and let them out. Imagine a large square with rows of cars - the Snapka's (other drive in on Weber) worked the same way. The downtown Picks was at the very end of downtown (near the church) probably at about Park - it later became an eat in place and then was probably torn down. It was back against the bluff. Downtown was solid traffic at night with kids cruising.

The first chain cheapie hamburger place in town was the Burger Chef on Staples across from Del Mar. Hamburgers were 18 cents.

Angelos Pizza on Staples has been there since the 1950's - I used to ride my bike up there to pick up a pizza when I was about 10. First Pizza in Corpus. Shakey's on Everhart and Panjo's on Airline opened in the 60's and were very popular. Whataburger was just really getting started in the 50's - all the locations had only walk in service. You gave your order when you entered (stood in line) and by the time you got to the register, it was ready. All burgers and buns were done on a grill. Great hamburgers - they ruined them with automation, grilled buns are the secret to a great hamburger. The Port Ave location and Staples (across from Del Mar) were the first places which actually became popular. I think that maybe Mr Dobson started the very first Whataburger (which failed) at the Angelos location but I'm not positive about that. I know he was killed while flying his plane right about the time his son Tommy (I went to school with him and knew him well) was graduating from High School at Ray. My Dad stopped every single Saturday (he worked Sat mornings) on his way home and picked up cheeseburgers, chips (no fries in that time period) and milkshakes for lunch. Saturday lunch was a special treat at our house and an absolute tradition to have Whataburgers.

Another one of those "hidden gem" places to eat in Corpus is the Hamlin Drug Store Grill - the Belaire Drug grill used to be a great place to eat also with a real soda fountain. I ate lunch there a lot when I was going to Del Mar.

Is the Put-Put golf still behine the old Parkdale Plaza? Parkdale was the beginning of the end for downtown - then the malls out on SPID did the same thing to PD. It's wierd that urbans areas continue to sprawl outward and leave empty buildings behind.

First "discount" stores in Corpus were the Gibson store at Weber and Staples (I worked there during college) and the Woolco store (really large) next to Parkdale Plaza. Hurricane Celia did in the Woolco - the roof fell in and they never rebuilt it. It also washed away a couple of places on North Beach (LaHallah, never rebuilt) and the Beach Club on Ocean which was never rebuilt. The Torch still uses the "LaHallah" dressing.

K

I used to visit the Pick's across from Butter Krust, on Ayers St. I believe, when I was a young child. I always got ice cream and to this day the smell of bread baking reminds me of ice cream! Before TV there wasn't much to do except ride in the car around town. My Dad loved to show off his cars just like the teenagers do. My girlfriends and I used to "cruise" the drive-ins, the 2 Pick's downtown and Ayers St. and the Snapka's on Weber.

[moy2112]

Originally Posted by Marlow

Or Harvey's Barn Door on Staples at Everhart?

Ahhhhh Harvey's Barn Door! Went there many times after the bars closed.

[moy2112]

Can anyone here name all the drive inns that were around in the 70's.
So far I have:
The Viking
Buccaneer
The Thunderbird
Twin Palms(yhea I know your smiling)
There was one on Port Ave where Home Depot is now,whats the name?

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by moy2112

Can anyone here name all the drive inns that were around in the 70's.
So far I have:
The Viking
Buccaneer
The Thunderbird
Twin Palms(yhea I know your smiling)
There was one on Port Ave where Home Depot is now,whats the name?

Were the twin palms the ones on ayers between gollihar and SPID that showed porn flicks? When my dad was driving on crosstown epwy, we liked to sneak a peek.

[moy2112]

Originally Posted by wehotex

Were the twin palms the ones on ayers between gollihar and SPID that showed porn flicks? When my dad was driving on crosstown epwy, we liked to sneak a peek.

Wow you remember but in reality that would be(and now I remember)The Surf Drive Inn,in the late 70 early 80's The Surf Drive Inn made headlines when they were showing skin flicks late at night,everyone in the projects were getting thier rocks off ha ha.The Twin Palms were located down Agnes past N.P.I.D

[moy2112]

Who here remembers what movie was filmed at Carroll Lane and S.P.I.D?It was a small part and was done on the side of the freeway.

[cjanerun]

I just want to thank whoever started this wonderful thread. I was born and raised in CC from 1966 to 1981. Spent the last few years in Portland due to the 'busing' junk. Does anyone remember how it tore people up to have to go to a school across town when there was a school less than a block away? I went to Calk Elementary (sp?) and private school until we moved to take advantage of Portland ISD.

Reading these threads and seeing the pictures and names have had me yelling out loud in happiness as something completely forgotten popped up bring up happy memories with it. CC has changed since I last saw it (not for the better as it's a bit shabby) but growing up there was a blast. My dad was from Austin, mom from Arlington so we literally went to the beach most weekends during good weather. Might have skipped school a time or ten to go with friends later. Was a member of Parkdale Plaza Baptist Church and have such fond memories of that area. Even hearing street names I haven't heard for a while made me happy. Buccaneer Days used to be such a blast.

My favorite places to eat were: Ship Ahoy, Old Mexico, Shep's Little Chicken Shack, Shakey's, Panjo's, Mr. Gatti's, Luciano's (the original), and - last but not least - Angelo's Pizza - on Staples. Of course, Burger Chef, Taco Bell, Whataburger and the old McDonalds with the original outdoor playground (had a slide made like that cheeseburglar character?) must be mentioned. Couldn't believe I'd forgotten Aqua Thrill way until someone mentioned it.

Was very touched by the Feudo's posts from the owner's descendents. We shopped at the one in Portland but mostly at an old HEB.

Probably didn't contribute much but thanks again to all for bringing back memories of the happiest times of my entire life.

[moy2112]

Originally Posted by cjanerun

I just want to thank whoever started this wonderful thread. I was born and raised in CC from 1966 to 1981. Spent the last few years in Portland due to the 'busing' junk. Does anyone remember how it tore people up to have to go to a school across town when there was a school less than a block away? I went to Calk Elementary (sp?) and private school until we moved to take advantage of Portland ISD.

Reading these threads and seeing the pictures and names have had me yelling out loud in happiness as something completely forgotten popped up bring up happy memories with it. CC has changed since I last saw it (not for the better as it's a bit shabby) but growing up there was a blast. My dad was from Austin, mom from Arlington so we literally went to the beach most weekends during good weather. Might have skipped school a time or ten to go with friends later. Was a member of Parkdale Plaza Baptist Church and have such fond memories of that area. Even hearing street names I haven't heard for a while made me happy. Buccaneer Days used to be such a blast.

My favorite places to eat were: Ship Ahoy, Old Mexico, Shep's Little Chicken Shack, Shakey's, Panjo's, Mr. Gatti's, Luciano's (the original), and - last but not least - Angelo's Pizza - on Staples. Of course, Burger Chef, Taco Bell, Whataburger and the old McDonalds with the original outdoor playground (had a slide made like that cheeseburglar character?) must be mentioned. Couldn't believe I'd forgotten Aqua Thrill way until someone mentioned it.

Was very touched by the Feudo's posts from the owner's descendents. We shopped at the one in Portland but mostly at an old HEB.

Probably didn't contribute much but thanks again to all for bringing back memories of the happiest times of my entire life.

Angelo's Pizza was a landmark shame it was torn down.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by cjanerun

I just want to thank whoever started this wonderful thread. I was born and raised in CC from 1966 to 1981. Spent the last few years in Portland due to the 'busing' junk. Does anyone remember how it tore people up to have to go to a school across town when there was a school less than a block away? I went to Calk Elementary (sp?) and private school until we moved to take advantage of Portland ISD.

Reading these threads and seeing the pictures and names have had me yelling out loud in happiness as something completely forgotten popped up bring up happy memories with it. CC has changed since I last saw it (not for the better as it's a bit shabby) but growing up there was a blast. My dad was from Austin, mom from Arlington so we literally went to the beach most weekends during good weather. Might have skipped school a time or ten to go with friends later. Was a member of Parkdale Plaza Baptist Church and have such fond memories of that area. Even hearing street names I haven't heard for a while made me happy. Buccaneer Days used to be such a blast.

My favorite places to eat were: Ship Ahoy, Old Mexico, Shep's Little Chicken Shack, Shakey's, Panjo's, Mr. Gatti's, Luciano's (the original), and - last but not least - Angelo's Pizza - on Staples. Of course, Burger Chef, Taco Bell, Whataburger and the old McDonalds with the original outdoor playground (had a slide made like that cheeseburglar character?) must be mentioned. Couldn't believe I'd forgotten Aqua Thrill way until someone mentioned it.

Was very touched by the Feudo's posts from the owner's descendents. We shopped at the one in Portland but mostly at an old HEB.

Probably didn't contribute much but thanks again to all for bringing back memories of the happiest times of my entire life.

You're so welcome! I'm glad that you and others enjoy hearing about the things that bring up memories about bygone years in the "Sparkling City by the Sea".

[moy2112]

Originally Posted by wehotex

It was still open in the 70s as a Spanish language movie theater. My mom dragged me there a few times. I believe that a CVS or Walgreens pharmacy is now in its place or next door to it. It's been demolished of course.

Yhea it was next to Craigs Record Factory