Gone But Not Forgotten in San Antonio! - Part I (Houston: bathroom, clean)

[johnrex62]

Originally Posted by hhwolfman

Speaking of Lakes on the south side. Did anyone ever fish at Timber Lake, right off 410. My buddies and I fished there all the time. Caught Many of Large Mouth Bass at it and the Lake behind it. WE Called that lake Shot gun Lake. I saw one of the Biggest Cranes fly over my head there.

In the early 70's I used to play around the lake and the construction material dump just south of the lake. There were pipes along the roads inbetween the lake and the dump sticking up from the ground that leaked some greenish sludge that smelled terrible. We always tried to avoid riding our bikes throught the sludge.

We never caught any fish, but only tried a few times and then decided the sludge must have killed most of them.

The last time I was there we got shot at by someone in the dump. Heard the bullet whizz by and saw the dust kickup about 5 feet away from us. That was the fastest dirt road pedaling we ever did.

In the early 80's signs went up all around the place that it was a superfund toxic waste site. I think the signs dissapeared in the late 90's-early 2000, but I never saw any sign of cleanup activities. The lake looked much better the last time I drove by, but I have never ventured back inside the fence after being shot at there.

[SATX56]

Originally Posted by BudB

satx56's comment "This was on the top of Commerce behind the city cemeteries which was once called "Powder Hill" I believe in civil war times." This is wants a little clarification so here goes. That part of the old municipal cemeteries south of Commerce St. and north of Peidmont St. was/is known as "Powder House Hill". That is because there was, once upon a time, two very historic structures there that had been built by the Spanish many years earlier. One was a three story stone watch tower("la garita") which served for look out around the region for approaching enemies, from hostile Indians to revolutionary Texicans. The other building, the Powder House was a bunker for storing weapons and gun powder and was in use until the Civil War by the US Army. The two buildings were eventually knocked down so people could reuse the cut stone for houses, fences or whatever. Nothing remains of them now but the name Powder House Hill.

Thanks Bud, that was one of my faint recollection things I throw out there! That area I have early childhood memories for unknown reasons! I recall a monument or headstone maker just across the street from the Friedrich Bldg. 50's era. It was late , I was trying to say Friedrich's plant helped in the WWII effort. The old bunker I wasn't sure of it's time period! It was quite a while back when I read of this Powder House! You're a true historian and I appreciate your clarification! Thanks BudB!

[wCat]

Originally Posted by satx56

Thanks Bud, that was one of my faint recollection things I throw out there! That area I have early childhood memories for unknown reasons! I recall a monument or headstone maker just across the street from the Friedrich Bldg. 50's era. It was late , I was trying to say Friedrich's plant helped in the WWII effort. The old bunker I wasn't sure of it's time period! It was quite a while back when I read of this Powder House! You're a true historian and I appreciate your clarification! Thanks BudB!

Ditto BudB....love the details!

[SATX56]

Originally Posted by johnrex62

In the early 70's I used to play around the lake and the construction material dump just south of the lake. There were pipes along the roads inbetween the lake and the dump sticking up from the ground that leaked some greenish sludge that smelled terrible. We always tried to avoid riding our bikes throught the sludge.

We never caught any fish, but only tried a few times and then decided the sludge must have killed most of them.

The last time I was there we got shot at by someone in the dump. Heard the bullet whizz by and saw the dust kickup about 5 feet away from us. That was the fastest dirt road pedaling we ever did.

In the early 80's signs went up all around the place that it was a superfund toxic waste site. I think the signs dissapeared in the late 90's-early 2000, but I never saw any sign of cleanup activities. The lake looked much better the last time I drove by, but I have never ventured back inside the fence after being shot at there.

O. K. , you guys must be talking about the lake behind the old "Domino Ranch" off Moursund (Pleasanton Rd.) just south of 410. My wife knows it by that name . Says an old girlfriends father used to tend to the lake and they would fish there!! She rode horses all around it!! It's off 410 between Moursund and Commercial. I've never known it as Timberlake. Back in the 50's and early 60's you could dove hunt along there. The city limits may not have extended past 410. "Domino Ranch" was on Moursund Blvd. same as Old Pleasanton Road! They had a small swimming pool out front. Back towards the lake you could fish or dove hunt in season or rent horses! Yep, they had it all! We used to swim there quite frequently.

[breegirl]

Does anyone remember a house off of 410 and the access road very near the Vance Jackson exit (right before I think) that had an entire wall that served as a billboard advertisement sign? It would run differnt ads on a large movie type screen that made up the whole side of the house facing the highway. Does anyone know who owned it and what happened to it?

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by satx56

Was this Albert Friedrich's (wifes?) house?? Wasn't there 2 brothers (I'm losing my memory) Albert owned the Buckhorn Saloon ...which one owned Friedrich Air Conditioning? They used to build ammo boxes for WWII and many wooden things. This was on the top of Commerce behind the city cemeteries which was once called "Powder Hill" I believe in civil war times. Where the old Friedrich plant was! I was in Olla Friedrich's house in early 80's. She was in Terrell Hills , forget which street, 2 or 3 blks north of Burr Rd. She was pretty elderly probably sister of Friedrich A/C owner. She had a great massive wooden pool table and massive wooden coffee table. I'll bet they came from this Algo Diferente. Her daughter married Rogers of Shavano Park lands and area. They have now regained ownership of the new Buckhorn Hall of Horns! Long story If I just had more memory!

Yep, Albert Fredrick, who started Albert's bar which became the Buckhorn Saloon, built it. In the early postcards I posted earlier of the structure, it was titled "The Summer Home of Mrs. Albert Fredrick".

[catriona]

Originally Posted by breegirl

Does anyone remember a house off of 410 and the access road very near the Vance Jackson exit (right before I think) that had an entire wall that served as a billboard advertisement sign? It would run differnt ads on a large movie type screen that made up the whole side of the house facing the highway. Does anyone know who owned it and what happened to it?

I remember that house! It was on the access road - south side of 410, just before the VJ exit. I used to know the name of the owner, but I've forgotten it. We all thought it was a cool way to make extra money.

[hhwolfman]

Originally Posted by johnrex62

In the early 70's I used to play around the lake and the construction material dump just south of the lake. There were pipes along the roads inbetween the lake and the dump sticking up from the ground that leaked some greenish sludge that smelled terrible. We always tried to avoid riding our bikes throught the sludge.

We never caught any fish, but only tried a few times and then decided the sludge must have killed most of them.

The last time I was there we got shot at by someone in the dump. Heard the bullet whizz by and saw the dust kickup about 5 feet away from us. That was the fastest dirt road pedaling we ever did.

In the early 80's signs went up all around the place that it was a superfund toxic waste site. I think the signs dissapeared in the late 90's-early 2000, but I never saw any sign of cleanup activities. The lake looked much better the last time I drove by, but I have never ventured back inside the fence after being shot at there.

Yeah we saw those signs, but thought they were put there just to scare away people from fishing there. We always ate what we caught there. I am still alive. One time a farmer chased us off from the Lake behind it, with a shotgun, hence the name we gave it. Shotgun Lake.

[wCat]

Originally Posted by hhwolfman

Yeah we saw those signs, but thought they were put there just to scare away people from fishing there. We always ate what we caught there. I am still alive. One time a farmer chased us off from the Lake behind it, with a shotgun, hence the name we gave it. Shotgun Lake.

Have you all taken a look at some of the Mitchell Lakes and ponds from Google Earth or Virtual Earth? I'd rather buy swampland! OMG....it looks absolutely HORRIBLE from a distance. They should have take advantage of drought conditions when they occur and water levels get low to at least bull doze the ponds NORTH of the lake. I can't imagine anything living in those waters.

I realize this isn't the same area you guys are talking about swimming and fishing. It's really scary and disgusting looking at it from a birds eye!

[GWhopper]

Originally Posted by Primo

We can only hope that the one on 410 and Vance jackson will be reborn into its original incarnation as a Sizzler!

I meant to post this earlier, but I was in Salt Lake City about 3 weeks ago. I was driving around looking for someplace to eat in the evening and saw a brand new Sizzler. They had the same, though greatly extended, salad bar. I got the salad bar and a bacon wrapped filet with a baked potato stuffed with fake bacon bits. I was all happy to eat at a place that is GBNF in SA, but to be honest it sucked. I like to think this city eventually rejects the national chains that it should. We in SA like to eat, and eat good.

Carl's Junior's, though, I'm glad they are back.