Gone But Not Forgotten in San Antonio! - Part I (Center: playground, grocery stores)

[scythempress]

The riots began over the Phillis Wheatley closing like you said. They were bussed to Highlands and a predominately hispanic school, Lamar or Lanier something like that. Anyway the first uprising was there and after a few of them were hurt really badly, they started at Highlands. The target was blonde haired white girls. One girl got hurt really badly, I wont put her name here, she stayed out the rest of the year and they gave her a diploma. It took about 5 days for it to all stop as I recall.

[mlbrinkley]

I remember La Feria -- gorgeous wedding dresses. And Solo Serve was the place to buy fabric if you were a home sewer.

[mlbrinkley]

I remember all those things, too. I attended Twain and frequented the Laurel Theater. My first date with my husband was at the Olmos. The Majestic was gorgeous -- I only went to the Texas with my parents. I remember Playland and Brackenridge Park. I think they still have the horses. I also remember the Manhattan Restaurant, downtown -- that was the height of elegance to my 5 year old mind.

[Toylasso]

Originally Posted by Nostalgic

WOW, ToyLasso, I would have LOVED that! What was Bill Cuesta like? What was Sherry like? Oh dear, nosey aren't I?

Bill Cuesta was fun and flirty. He took me to his senior prom. I had braces and was afraid to kiss him lol....my loss. Sherry was unapproachable and conceited I was
at the age where I was wanting to be friends with everyone. As it goes, not everyone will let you in. Eventually, drama,lee-etts,choir and dating took its place.
But, I have very fond memories of Saturdays and taping the show.

[mlbrinkley]

Originally Posted by texasborn

Boy... have I gotten hooked on this site/thread. This is the next best thing to being (home) in SA. Been gone 30+ years!

And for those of you lucky enough to still been there and have reminders of the area of "then and now", my memories may not be as clear. But, ... those movie houses! I DO remember them. I remember the MAJESTIC Theatre (it was truly majestic and mystical-I lost a transistor radio there while watching John Wayne's CHISUM; (westerns on THAT screen were captivating!) and the the TEXAS Theatre (saw TO SIR WITH LOVE there). And, the LAUREL Theatre was right across from my JR HIGH (not middle school) Mark Twain and the OLMOS Theatre, and the WOODLAWN Theatre (the SAND PEBBLES). I saw the musical CHICAGO at the MAJESTIC (and took my spouse) when I was in town for business a while ago. So glad to see it was not torn down. I wasn't the same (but, then, it never is, is it?) but glad to see it none the same.

And back to DOWNTOWN SA, does anyone remember FROST BROS Dept Store? I recall there was a magnificent Chistmas display there during this time of year. I remember when going DOWNTOWN was really something. Does anyone recall the Rexall Drugstore on the corner across from the Post Office and the Alamo (circa mid-60's)? Twirling on those seats at the soda fountain (cherry coke please with extra cherry, sir). Walgreens will NEVER compare to Rexall.

And, just briefly, re Playland Park, I DO remember it. I'm old enoungh to remember it before it became delapidated. And, does anyone remember the park right outside of Brackenridge Park? (I LOVED THAT TRAIN!) They had Shetland Ponies there. I remember getting tossed off one (can Shetlands buck? The San Antonio ZOO, Brackenridge Park, that Train and the Small (?) Park. All remain except the Park, right?

I remember all those things too. I attended Twain and frequented the Laurel Theater. I remember Brackenridge Park - I think the horses might stll be there. I remember Playland. I shopped at Joske's downtown and my aunt was a buyer for Frost and my mother worked at Wolff and Marx. Those things seem like yesterday!

[mlbrinkley]

Originally Posted by catriona

I remember the Christmas Display downtown with the little girl playing the piano. Was that at Frost Bros or Wolf and Marx?

Who remembers Fantasyland at Joske's? I loved to go there and see all the little animated displays and ride the train. Remember Santa on the rooftop?

Playland Park was fun -- I used to love to ride the carousel. I remember when they dismantled it and sold of the horses. If I'd had the money back then, I would have bought one. I thought I read in the paper a few years ago that they were trying to restore it.

The Zoo, Brackenridge Park, the Brackenridge Eagle and the Sunken Gardens are all still there. They closed the stables and shut down the horse back riding a few years ago. The skyride is also shut down, has been for many years.

Anyone remember 12 Star Final and the opening film footage with the cars crashing? Or the revolving boards that the weathermen used to use? I remember one would always draw a cartoon at the end of his segment. And who could forget Cap't Gus!

Yep, I remember all those things! Could the cartoon drawing weatherman be Pat Boyette?

[Toylasso]

Originally Posted by mlbrinkley

Yep, I remember all those things! Could the cartoon drawing weatherman be Pat Boyette?

I loved Joske's. My sister and I modeled in the "Little Miss Cotton" contest each year as children. She won 1st place. Fantasy Land was one of our Christmas rituals. Joske's was my 1st job out of college. I worked under a retired FBI agent and was taught loss prevention / apprehension. I miss Joske's. Although, my mom passed 22 yrs ago, I still have her Joske's credit card.....for memory sake.

[mlbrinkley]

Originally Posted by OzzyRules

Northwest Center on Fred road is a fascinating building. What did it used to be. There are inner sidewalks and inner areas that make it look like it could have been a public school at one point.

What was it before the flea market in the back took over?

Northwest Shopping Center was a precursor to Wonderland Mall. It was open-air -- all stores had outside entrances. It was actually pretty cool but Wonderland was built shortly after and I think it hurt Northwest Shopping Center badly. We moved from SA in 1990 and I was still shopping at Penney's there.

[mlbrinkley]

In researching Mark Twain Junior High School, I have learned that there are no photos of the old school. I visited last year and took pics of what is left of the old school and the new building but there are no photos! Does anybody out there have any and be willing to share?

Also, does anybody remember Carl's Downtown and the weekly models taken from the high schools?

[Willsatx]

Originally Posted by smuboy86

It's Rackspace. They bought the mall a year ago, and are moving their entire HQs there. They are spending a 100 million on the facility.

I thought they were only moving in the old wards store.