Gone But Not Forgotten in San Antonio! - Part I (Junction: nursery, windows)

[cygnet]

Originally Posted by prufrock1

MLeahy - Interesting! I didn't know Zachry owned the building or were tenants there. Yes, the building was iconic for me, pretty much said S.A.

Before we moved to S.A. full-time in the late 1960s, my parents and I would visit relatives there in the summertime, and we often stayed with an aunt in the Inspiration Hills subdivision (Hillcrest/Babcock Rd area on the Northwest side). There's a great view of downtown from the top of the hill on Willowbrook Drive; it's been zoned No Parking for years because of its popularity for teenage date "parkers." Anyway, the Tower Life Building was the centerpiece of the downtown skyline, from that direction at least, and I loved that view.

In the mid to late 50s I lived on Chesswood in Sunset Hills (directly across the street from the swimming pool), the subdivision just below Inspiration Hills. We used to ride bikes on those hill streets and I remember the view of downtown. When I came back to San Antonio in 1963 to go to San Antonio College, Inspiration Drive and Willowbrook were favorite "parking" spots because of the view!

[gy2020]

Saturday is the 23rd of February. That is the day that 182 brave men entered the confines of the Alamo back in 1836.
During the the 60's and 70's and probably the 80's, Henry Guerra, newsman extradinaire, began the annual radio broadcast of the 13 Days of the Alamo over WOAI radio. It became an honored annual radio broadcast. Do you remember those broadcast of yesterday years?

[Willsatx]

Hearing his voice doing the battle is great, wish they would replay it sometime on WOAI.

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by gy2020

Saturday is the 23rd of February. That is the day that 182 brave men entered the confines of the Alamo back in 1836.
During the the 60's and 70's and probably the 80's, Henry Guerra, newsman extradinaire, began the annual radio broadcast of the 13 Days of the Alamo over WOAI radio. It became an honored annual radio broadcast. Do you remember those broadcast of yesterday years?

Let's all bow our heads for the late great Henry Guera....& the 13 days of the Alamo.

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by OzzyRules

How can you get tired of it? They have such variety. If it were something like Taco Bell or Schlotzky's twice a week, I could understand. But Luby's? That sounds like heaven.

No,
Not like heaven. Not every week. They only had Sea Food Gumbo on Friday's.....because that was when they got rid of all the sea food they couldn't sell during the week. We used to call it "Garbage Gumbo". Luby's was always about reuse and disguise. Primo mentioned the dreaded Breaded cutlet, which was always sold as the chicken fried steak, the italian cutlet, or the "italian picatta", depending on the day of the week and the age of the "breaded" meat. Masking cheap meat behind first batter then cheap crappy sauces never equals quality.

I mean no offense.

[irnag]

Great news! Google maps is in the process of capturing the city streets in pictures! We can now reference the street view!

[56 Desoto]

Just found out about this forum thing yesterday (Feb.21st) and it is taking me awhile to figure out what to do with it.

I do remember when Earl Holliman came in and ate at the old Blanco Cafe (across the street from Casbeers) back in the early 1980s. One night, he was with another actor, Rowdie(?) McDowell. They bought some Blanco Cafe t-shirts after eating. I remember speaking to Mr. Holliman. He was a very nice person and friendly to everyone.
The original palm tree design t-shirt that the Blanco Cafe sold was a hot item during that time period and many mexican food places began to copy them. Taco Cabana even started painting their windows like the Blanco Cafe's windows. Of course they presented a more professional and 'slick' look. But I will always like original funky stuff myself. Like their window palm trees (painted by the Boogie Critter-man).
Texas Boogie Designs screen printed the Blanco Cafe shirts and was across the street in an old gas station owned by the San Miguel family. Mr. San Miguel and his wife started the original Blanco Cafe. This man (Mr. San Miguel) began buying up the surrounding neigborhood. I think he owned most of the buildings and houses in that area eventually. Like he was playing Monopoly for real! His son, Alejandro Jr. (Alex) was a great host. Someone told me he has since passed away. I hope not. But if so, "Viva Con Dios Amigo". The whole San Miguel family were (and still are) great assests to Ol' San Antonio. May God Bless them all.
Talk about local history, that old area really has it. This little mexican-food cafe was a real happenin' eatery. People from every socio-economic level would be standing patiently outside in line....waiting for those fabulous hand made flour tortillas. Many who got tired of waiting cruised on down to Chris Madrids for their great burgers.

Jake (Little Jake & the Giants) and Kate Noll were managing the old Junction down the block. It featured wrestling at that time. Across from Agnes Cotton Elementary and Sommer's Drug Store. The Nolls introduced tostados covered with melted cheese in little paper trays to their rowdy clientele. Became their biggest concession item. The world now calls these money making snacks, nachos.
San Antonio has started alot of things that have made fortunes.
Later.
56 Desoto

[pacific_trader]

Anyone remember when Joe Fowler did the sports news? I remember my dad watching him when I was in 4th or 5th grade. I think he used to do his "Booo!" thing. lol

[Willsatx]

I remember growing up on some Monday nights we would go the wrestling at the junction, and then go to Blanco Cafe next door.

[49 Olds]

56 Desoto-You are so right about the San Miguel family. They treated customers like family. I have eaten at the original cafe since about 1974. I tried some of the other Blancos but prefer the original. They allowed my family to have large theme birthday parties there for 20 years. I think I am correct in this statement. Mr. San Miguel worked for railway salvage and needed extra money to feed all his little kids (10), so he opened the first place to sell tacos. The rest is history. He was a millionaire many times over from his real estate deals, but he never acted any different over the years. Mr. San Miguel, his wife, son Alex Jr., and daughter Gina have all passed away. I attended Mr. and Mrs. San Miguels funerals. I did not find out about Alex Jr. and Gina until after the fact.
The palm tree on the front window was nice. I liked it when it had a large crack. Stayed that way for many years. I miss the old velvet paintings also.
Mrs. San Miguel wore a beautiful Mexican 50 peso gold coin necklace.
Your are right about the line out the door. In the 70's the lawyers, and downtown businessmen flocked to the joint to rub elbows with the day laborers, salesmen, and telephone linemen. Fridays Two plate Mexican dinner $1.79 reg. $1.99.
I keep picts of the two plates in my computer when I get the urge.