Gone but not forgotten in San Antonio! (Austin, El Paso: condo, hotel)

[retrocarnation]

The hall on Braun Rd. is/was Braun Hall. Spent many a night at dances held there.
Yes, I remember the Helotes Cornyval back when the entire thing, carnival and all, was held in the middle of the old highway down by the bridge.
Funny story for y'all:
Is anyone familiar with a housing development at the end of Gilbeau Rd. called Northwest Territories? My father was the sales manager for Cliff Morton there at the beginning of development. Anyway, the area was named Northwest Territories because, at the time, it was so far from civilization that they questioned if ayone would actually want to live that far from town.
Is the big plastic steer still on Broadway south of Jim's at 410? Is the big Indian still at Superior Pontiac on 410? Does anyone remember it ALWAYS had arrows stuck in it? (That poor statue had a rough life.)
I saw someone mention the Donkey Lady in Helotes. Does anyone from Leon Valley Elementary (back when it was at the original building at Grissom) recall stories about "Red Eye" living in a house just behind the playground?
I don't remember the name of the smaller mall just across San Pedro from North Star mall, but it used to have big stone horse sculptures in the center of the mall by a lighted fountain that changed color. I just know someone other than me sat hours on those horses waiting for their mother at Sears.
Speaking of San Pedro, is Teka Molina still there about 1/2 mile south of 410? I also remember an older, open air "mall" on Fredricksburg Rd. a bit north of the Tip-Top. There was a J.C. Penny store there that my grandmother would drag us to on Saturdays. The only saving grace was slipping away down the sidewalk to the back of the mall past the courtyard to the T.G. & Y. store to look at the toy section. (This whole complex was a flea market by the mid-1980's.)
I've seen posts about new theaters. When I was young, we had to come all the way into town to go to the Northwest 6 on I-10. Yes, folks, I said SIX. That was a HUGE theater, and the closest to the northwest side of town.

[smuboy86]

Being younger and from the NE side the picture differs a little....
The donkey lady lived off of Lookout rd off NE 1604.
The first time my dad dragged me out to Rolling Oaks Mall I though we had gone all the way to Austin.
My grandmother could spend literally all day in the Solo Serve in Walzem Plaza.
My family had a pool membership to the Seven Oaks resort.
The old central library on the riverwalk
My mom freaking out because her bank failed ( I believe it was NCBC)
Everyone went to the Galaxy movie theater, until the Quarry opened.
Ft. Sam as an open base, and the old commissary with the leaky roof.
The Gucci-b before they remodeled it into Central Market
Field trips to both the Gucci-b and the Handy Andy at Nacogdoches and N. New Braunfels before it changed in to HEB #1

[irnag]

The mall across from North Star was Central Park Mall. Remember when the Marquee for Central Park went up in flames? I remember Central Park had a huge carousel in the middle of the mall. Must have been after the big stone horse sculptures. I went to Holmes about the time some of you were at Marshall 77-81. The big hang out for the Holmes students was the land that was to become Ingram Park Mall. I had an aunt that lived out in Helotes and we would always search for the Donkey Lady. Luckily, we never found her. I remember the KKYX towers. they were like the only thing until you got to Helotes and the rock tower that was on a hill near 1604. I think the open air mall refered to on Fredrickburg was called Northwest Center. I worked for two weeks at the Asia Restaurant that was next to a cleaners at the corner of the center. Anybody remember Globe Shopping city? They had everything under the sun. Anybody ever get the tennis shoes from Gibsons? They were black canvas with white stripes and the soles were 1/4" thick rubber? I remember getting them every August before I went back to school. I think they cost 50 cents or 4 for a dollar. Then came Addidas and Nike and there went the cheap shoes. Smuboy, my mom would drag me to the Solo Serve on San Pedro. Agony, torture although I thought the Swiss Chalet looked kind of cool. I also had my money, all $32 at the Travis S&L. Does anyone remember the ABC Pest Control jingle? I can still sing it to this day. And Beldon Roofing had a house/building quickly go up while Classical Gas was playing. And if you're bug embarrassed call Mr. Harris 225-3021.

[wCat]

I'm thinking of putting my "Capt Gus" autograph on Ebay. Think anyone will bite? LOL!!!!! (actually not sure where it is....)

[940]

Originally Posted by irnag

The big hang out for the Holmes students was the land that was to become Ingram Park Mall.

I remember that land off 410 before Ingram Park or anything else was built there. I have a vivid recollection of seeing these huge telephone poles sitting on high mounds of dirt while the rest of the land was very hilly and sloped downward.

Originally Posted by irnag

Anybody remember Globe Shopping city? They had everything under the sun. Anybody ever get the tennis shoes from Gibsons? They were black canvas with white stripes and the soles were 1/4" thick rubber? I remember getting them every August before I went back to school. I think they cost 50 cents or 4 for a dollar. Then came Addidas and Nike and there went the cheap shoes.

I remember Globe Shopping City. It was very similar to the Woolco that used to be off Fredericksburg Rd just north of 410. It seems like everyone and his brother had those shoes. Weren't they called "Track King" or something like that? I could be wrong though...

Originally Posted by irnag

Does anyone remember the ABC Pest Control jingle? I can still sing it to this day. And Beldon Roofing had a house/building quickly go up while Classical Gas was playing. And if you're bug embarrassed call Mr. Harris 225-3021.

I can barely remember some of that ABC Pest Control jingle. I remember one line said something to the affect of "if moths got in your closet, and ate your new mink stole...for quick and courteous service call A-B-C Pest Control!!" Okay, so I'm a big nerd who still remembers some of those commercials. Jeez, they played them over and over back then; with no cable and only 3 english TV channels not counting PBS, you were stuck listening and watching that. And I still have that old Arrow Upholstery commercial in my brain. Last time I was there visiting my folks, I saw the newest version and the old phone number is still the same..227-5051

I'm not sure if this is still there or not but I also remember seeing one of those bigger homes off 410 between Babcock and Fredericksburg Rd...the ones in Oak Hills just outside of 410. The house was high on a hill with a terrific view of downtown SA before the apartments on the inside of 410 blocked some of the view. Anyway, the house had a Japanese pagoda on top of it or something similar. You couldn't miss it when you were driving on 410 years ago but I've never noticed on my recent visits if it's even there anymore.

[catriona]

Originally Posted by irnag

Anybody remember Globe Shopping city? They had everything under the sun. Anybody ever get the tennis shoes from Gibsons? They were black canvas with white stripes and the soles were 1/4" thick rubber? I remember getting them every August before I went back to school. I think they cost 50 cents or 4 for a dollar. Then came Addidas and Nike and there went the cheap shoes. Smuboy, my mom would drag me to the Solo Serve on San Pedro. Agony, torture although I thought the Swiss Chalet looked kind of cool. I also had my money, all $32 at the Travis S&L. Does anyone remember the ABC Pest Control jingle? I can still sing it to this day. And Beldon Roofing had a house/building quickly go up while Classical Gas was playing. And if you're bug embarrassed call Mr. Harris 225-3021.

Oh my, I remember those tennis shoes from Gibsons! They were my favorites! We called them track shoes, but I didn't realize that was the brand or style name.

Solo Serve was like a family outing that just dragged on. I remember the long lines to try on clothes and the long lines in the check outs.

As for the ABC Pest Control jingle, I'm glad I'm not the only one that can still sing it! I've heard their new jingle, but it's not the same one as the old one.
The old one was something like:

"If you have roaches in the kitchen, spiders in the attic,
the termites ate his golf clubs and your husband says he's had it.
The moths got in the closet and they ate your new mink stole,
for quick and curtious service, call ABC Pest Control......
ABC will do the job when bugs are all about.
If you invite us into your home, the bugs will all move out.
We'll find each insect guilty and we'll grant them no parole.
For fast efficient service call ABC Pest Control."

Not real sure about the last line, though. Maybe irnag can correct my memory mistakes!!

As for the Globe Shopping City jingle, it was something like

"Globe Shopping City has everything under the sun.
Savings, plus parking every day for everyone.
Easy to get there, with bargains galore.
Globe Shopping City where you always save more."

Geeze, I did watch too much TV back then!
Same goes for the old Globe Shopping City jingle.

Remember when Handy Andy had those signs on the doors that stated, "Closed Sunday, see you in church"?

Anyone remember when E. Southcross by McCreless (a.k.a. "Big M") was called Dautry or Daughtry Road? My uncle used to pronounce it "Dau-shee", so I don't know the exact name. I think it was between McCreless and Goliad.

What about the bird cages on the street level of Joske's? And the candy counter with the chocolate covered crickets and ants. That was too much!

[940]

Originally Posted by catriona

As for the ABC Pest Control jingle, I'm glad I'm not the only one that can still sing it! I've heard their new jingle, but it's not the same one as the old one.
The old one was something like:

"If you have roaches in the kitchen, spiders in the attic,
the termites ate his golf clubs and your husband says he's had it.
The moths got in the closet and they ate your new mink stole,
for quick and curtious service, call ABC Pest Control......
ABC will do the job when bugs are all about.
If you invite us into your home, the bugs will all move out.
We'll find each insect guilty and we'll grant them no parole.
For fast efficient service call ABC Pest Control."

Oh my gosh, that's it!! I totally remember that song now..I just needed a little refresher. I think everyone that watched television back then remembered that song and knew all the words..LOL
I don't remember the Globe song but thanks for the ABC memory!

[irnag]

Catriona, you brought a tear to my eye! You definitely remember the jingle better that I do. I kind of mumbled through the 1st and last lines in the second stanza. And the Globe jingle, that's it! I remembered the 1st line, but that was about it. BTW, was/is ABC the pest control company that had a bug on top of their trucks?

Does anyone remember Knowltons Ice Cream? How about Bordens. Knowltons vanilla was extremely white in color and I remember they made vanilla with cherries in it. MMMM.

I had memories of NIOSA as well. Anyone remember the taffy machine? That was great stuff. They would give you a little sack of taffy and those things were great when they were still warm. I just can't find taffy like that anymore. Also there was divinity in the French section that was the best. At the Folkelore (Folklife?) Festival, I remember rolling down those steep hills just outside the building and then trying to find a place to lay down in the middle of the building (to cool off) to watch the media show. My dad used to watch the Lebanese Belly Dancers for hours. A few years later, I understood why.

Unfortunately my memories of Joskes are scattered. I remember the entrance to the Sporting Goods section was like you went in the store and then down some steps.

[catriona]

You're welcome, irnag. I'm just glad that I'm not the only one that remembers these things! I do recall the trucks with the bugs on top, but I don't remember which company it was.

Knowltons Ice Cream used to have a commercial with the talking ice cream scoop. I think it used to talk about how much creamier they were than other brands. I remember seeing it during the Cap't Gus show.

We went to the Folklife Festival the first year it was open. My dad was involved at the Irish booth. He must have not been impressed, because I don't remember going back until I was in college.

I don't remember going to NEISO as a kid. The few times I went during my college days bring back memories of having beer spilled on me and being poked with anacucho (sp?) sticks.

Anyone remember the old Wonderland Flea Market?

[940]

This has been around for a while on other boards but not sure if many folks on this particular thread have seen it. Not sure who the original author is but this should really bring back some memories if not a smile to your face!




You Know You're From San Antonio When...



You know exactly how to get to the "Ghost Tracks" from anywhere in town.

You think "pro-choice" means flour or corn tortillas.

You've never been to the Alamo.

You think a health drink is a Margarita without salt.

You think being able to read the Taco Cabana menu makes you bilingual.

There has been a road crew on your street since before the Alamodome was built.

You remember when Crossroads Mall used to be called Wonderland.

You've been to Midget Mansion.

You know all about the "Dancing Diablo" and the "Donkey Lady" bridge.

You know that Wheatley and Brackenridge is the same school.

You remember the Captain Gus show.

You have three rodeo outfits but never have been on a horse

You're an expert with the brake pedal, but you have no idea what a blinker is.

You think the last supper was at Mi Tierra restaurant.

You do your grocery shopping at a flea market.

You think local politicians are crooks, but you still do not vote.

You have a "Selena Lives" bumper sticker on your car.

You care if San Antonio is in the "national spotlight".

A formal occasion is getting a glass with your longneck.

You believe Tacos, barbecue, tequilla, and beer are the four basic food groups.

Your White mother learned how to make Tamales & Menudo from your neighbors.

You know the "real" definition of FIESTA is "stay home if at all possible".

You have ordered Mexican food at a Chinese restaurant.

You had breakfast tacos at Taco Cabana on Christmas morning.

You remember the Joske's Christmas display.

You remember when JC Penney's had a restaurant.

You remember hamburgers from Whopper Burger.

You're elementary field trip was to the Butter Crust Bakery.

You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from San Antonio.