Memories of San Antonio...

[gameFACE]

You used to be able to rent paddle boats at the Riverwalk and Brackenridge Park. I wonder why they stopped doing that. The sky ride was cool at Brack, too.

[Sunshine]

Originally Posted by gameFACE

You used to be able to rent paddle boats at the Riverwalk and Brackenridge Park. I wonder why they stopped doing that. The sky ride was cool at Brack, too.

We used to rent the paddle boats...they were a blast!

[Taco]

Originally Posted by Slydragon

Man I spent hours in theses 2 threads alone of old SA

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...-photos-7.html

http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...n-antonio.html

THANKS FOR THESE LINKS SlyD




(THE VARSITY DRIVE INN, BANDERA AND CULEBRA ROAD, THERE'S AN HEB THERE NOW)

WE LIVED CLOSE TO THIS DRIVE IN, MAMA AND PAPA TACO USED TO TAKE US THERE, MOM WOULD MAKE SANDWICHES AND ICED TEA, DAD WOULD PULL OUT THE LAWN CHAIRS FOR THEM AND SPREAD A BLANKET ACROSS THE HOOD SO WE COULD LAY DOWN AND WATCH THE MOVIE, AHHHH THE GOOD OLD DAYS

[Twisted_Dawg]

Originally Posted by Mr. Peabody

My elementary school (Kate Schenck) did not have A/C and we used to have to open the windows and use fans.

We used to take field trips to the Buttercrust factory and at the end of the tour, you get a hot, fresh piece of bread with butter. I swear it was the best bread I ever had.

On weekends, my parents would take me to The Flame and we sit in the drive in and eat fish.

As I got older, me and my friends would hang out at Image on SE Military. I saw quite a few fights there.

Too many more to mention....

.....Southeast sider, eh?

[samikeyp]

I remember seeing Moonraker and Clash of the Titans at the old San Pedro Drive In.

Going to Stop-N-Go before hand and loading up on snacks was part of the fun too!

I can still hear my mother's loving words to this day...

"I'm not paying those damn movie theater prices...its cheaper here!"

[Twisted_Dawg]

Originally Posted by CubanMustGo

Same old location with the picnic tables under the carport sort of thing. My mom and brother still live over there (he's her caregiver, God bless him!).

Bill Millers' original location was just across the street on Clark. It was torn down long ago, and that one was also torn down to make way for one of the new models.

There was a Shakey's Pizza place for a few years, we always used to hang out there after HS football games. Highlands actually had a decent football team back then, of course they waited until after I graduated to finally beat Churchill.

OMG, I almost forgot Hipps Bubble Room, a great college hangout.

Remember all those deer heads and horns that had at the original Bill Millers?

[samikeyp]

Bill Miller's

[Twisted_Dawg]

Originally Posted by mouse

Was any of you a crossing guard? I was at Beacon hill elementary school I used to think I was the shit cause I had a badge!

Not only did you have a badge, you had that white strap thing that fit over your shirt which you pinned your badge to. Then there was all that rank...Sargent...Lt....Captain. And ordering those other kids with "Signs out"..."Signs in"...."Change sides"...

The first day I was a patrol boy I was trying to dig a hole in the ground by pounding the end of the sign and the top of the sign broke off. Damn I got in trouble for that.

[Twisted_Dawg]

Originally Posted by Sunshine

Anyone remember The Thief of Baghdad? (not the movie) I think he was a rapist or something who would hide in homes and attack women.

Actually there were two of them. Sick fucks. They would tie up the husband and make him watch while they raped his wife.

[Twisted_Dawg]

Originally Posted by Hook Dem

Ah yes...........Fred Gomez Carrasco. Bad ass!

The legend of Fred Carrasco. Had that shoot out at the Southside Motel.....then that attempted prision break with that Trojan Horse made of books and a chalk board.

[Twisted_Dawg]

Lampost Inn on Austin Highway?

[lebomb]

Originally Posted by implacable44

puffin bills was the only place to eat back in the day man..

Puffin Billys rail rider special.......big ass hamburger and fries for like $1.50

[Los Spurs]

Originally Posted by lebomb

Puffin Billys rail rider special.......big ass hamburger and fries for like $1.50

I worked at the one across South Park Mall for about 2 months. Their burgers were real good.

[spursfan09]

Originally Posted by gameFACE

You used to be able to rent paddle boats at the Riverwalk and Brackenridge Park. I wonder why they stopped doing that. The sky ride was cool at Brack, too.

I loved the Sky Ride when I was little. I used to make my grandma ride it over and over with me

[bendmz]

while we are talking about Brack, remember Benny Uresti and how he got busted at the park humping that chic that was not his wife.......

[Los Spurs]

Originally Posted by bendmz

while we are talking about Brack, remember Benny Uresti and how he got busted at the park humping that chic that was not his wife.......

No. But tell us the story

[Chris Duel]

Originally Posted by Man of Steel

Chris Duel used to talk every once in a while about certain places and things to do here in San Antonio during the 60's, 70's and 80's.

It was always interesting to hear people recall places where they used to buy records, hang out after school, go on dates, etc. Or as children, where their parents used to take them, favorite toys, stuff like that.

I guess I'll get it started.

I used to love the fact that comic books were 12 cents and soft drinks were a dime. (Yes--I know--I am old). You could ride your bike to Mr. M's after school, pick up a DC or Marvel comic and buy a Hippo Brand Drink or a Frostie Root Beer.

In high school, it was cool to get a bunch of people together and try to sneak into the San Pedro Drive-In.

Friday nights used to be reserved for "Project Terror," with that really creepy music.

After school, watching Popeye and wondering when we would be invited to be on the set with Captain Gus. (again--as kids).

I remember Batman when it first came out. Only one kid on the block had color TV, so all of the kids would crowd over for the two days a week that it would be broadcast. Of course, all the boys used to salivate over Catwoman, Julie Newmar.

Okay everyone--those are just a few items from my old memory bank. What are yours?

Man of Steel,

Thanks for remembering.

After the NBA season and before the start of God's season (NFL football), we'll be sure to get back to this topic on ESPN 1250.

While Julie Newmar as The Catwoman was my first kiddie crush, as I recall Batgirl was pretty damn hot too.

I'm still pissed off that I had the chicken pox in the third grade at Glenoaks Elementary and didn't get my 15 seconds of fame on Captain Gus!

Project Terror... 12-Star Final... Cooter Browns... Teen Canteen... My Pal Al Aleman... The Hemisfair Arena...

I miss retro San Antonio!

Chris

[lrcvsc]

The 6 Pepsi Bottle Caps it took to watch the original Batman and Robin Movie at the Texas Theater..

The Wicker Baskets you could buy to use as seats during the Fiesta Parades and sit on the corner of Soledad and Houston. If front of that arcade and Coney Island.

[GoGatos.]

Originally Posted by Twisted_Dawg

Not only did you have a badge, you had that white strap thing that fit over your shirt which you pinned your badge to. Then there was all that rank...Sargent...Lt....Captain. And ordering those other kids with "Signs out"..."Signs in"...."Change sides"...

The first day I was a patrol boy I was trying to dig a hole in the ground by pounding the end of the sign and the top of the sign broke off. Damn I got in trouble for that.

You owe me a beer!

[PlayoffEx-static]

Originally Posted by Chris Duel

Man of Steel,

Thanks for remembering.

After the NBA season and before the start of God's season (NFL football), we'll be sure to get back to this topic on ESPN 1250.

While Julie Newmar as The Catwoman was my first kiddie crush, as I recall Batgirl was pretty damn hot too.

I'm still pissed off that I had the chicken pox in the third grade at Glenoaks Elementary and didn't get my 15 seconds of fame on Captain Gus!

Project Terror... 12-Star Final... Cooter Browns... Teen Canteen... My Pal Al Aleman... The Hemisfair Arena...

I miss retro San Antonio!

Chris

Cooter Brown's. Shit, I haven't heard that name in a LONG time. That was the happening place in the early 80s, right up until the change to the 21 YO drinking age. At the time, it was WAY out in the boonies, so only the college kids went there. When they no longer could, it died a horrible tavern death. We also used to go to that tavern in Windsor Park Mall. They had 3 for 1 drink nights during the week, a very attractive draw for a young USAF airman. Ol' ex put back 17 Kamakazis one night, all of which wound up in the back hallway to the restrooms. Didn't quite make it, but I WAS at work the next (or actually that same) morning.

[GoGatos.]

Originally Posted by Chris Duel

I miss retro San Antonio!

Chris

About time you posted in here you sick fuck! was sup Chris?
I here your back on @ KTSA!
Hey Chris! tell me is it true what mouse said, was you once an Usher at Fox theaters at Central Park mall?

[samikeyp]

Originally Posted by PlayoffEx-static

Cooter Brown's. Shit, I haven't heard that name in a LONG time. That was the happening place in the early 80s, right up until the change to the 21 YO drinking age. At the time, it was WAY out in the boonies, so only the college kids went there. When they no longer could, it died a horrible tavern death. We also used to go to that tavern in Windsor Park Mall. They had 3 for 1 drink nights during the week, a very attractive draw for a young USAF airman. Ol' ex put back 17 Kamakazis one night, all of which wound up in the back hallway to the restrooms. Didn't quite make it, but I WAS at work the next (or actually that same) morning.

Wasn't that Chelsea Street Pub in Windsor Mall? Ingram Mall had one too.

[Nbadan]

Midget (and Gillespie) Mansion San Antonio Local Stories

A lady from San Antonio contacted me via email about Midget Mansion and wrote up a nice little story about her interactions about 24 years ago.

Here is her story

When I was younger, about 13-14 (24 yrs ago) me my brother and friends would drive around the city scaring ourselves....Midget Mansion, Ghost Tracks, Gillespie Mansion, Haunted Baseball Field and the Old Indian Fort...not sure on Donkey Lady (please if you know that info..email it to me).etc.... The one thing that sticks out about Midget Mansion was a wine cellar. As you walked in the entry way winded and would get smaller and smaller...of course that freaked me out and I chose to wait outside. I do remember the pool being HUGE and the maids, servants, guest houses along the edge of the property. I remember after I got married and moved away (in 85-87) listening to news (lived about 400 miles north of SA) and hearing that a raid took place due to neighbors complaining about the cries of animals. Apparently some dumb teenagers who were self professed devil worshippers (dumb kids) were having rituals up there and due to the complaints the police raided, arrested and put up cement blocks to avoid more trespassing.

I do remember hearing most of the kids were bailed out by their parents (just a stage of rebellion was the excuse the parents gave as to why they bailed them out)...anyway.....when I came back for a visit a couple of weeks after the raid a friend and I drove by and you could clearly see tire tracks heading into the property (I'm guess that was the police entering and ambushing) and some tire tracks heading out. I was like...wow!

If anyone remember GECU Gillespie Mansion, from what I was told Mr. Gillespie (Gillespie Ford...etc...the car guy) owned these properties. Once his family out-grew the GECU mansion they moved to the other off of Horizon Hill and eventually moved from that after more builders moved in and started a new neighbor just to the borders of his property. It use to "county" but at the end, there were homes everywhere. Anyway......I just thought I'd pass on what I know and also ask.....did anyone ever go into the hallway, basement, or wine cellar? That totally freaked me! out...It's hard not to believe the spooky stories when I personally experienced that and have no justification for it.....as for the door knobs being low? I went post fire so I didn't get to see all the door knobs but from what I remember the granddaughter (we went to the same church..that's how I know this stuff) saying....grandmother was in a wheel chair and it was for her convenience. Happy Halloween!!!!! Please do not post my email....I'm all grownup, mom of 3 with one married. I was telling my teenage girls about spooky things I did as a teenager and this came up so my youngest looked it up and I found this site so I thought I'd share.....take care.

[PlayoffEx-static]

Originally Posted by samikeyp

Wasn't that Chelsea Street Pub in Windsor Mall? Ingram Mall had one too.

Yeah, that's the place. They were in many malls. I knew someone who had been to one in the Kileen mall. They were sort of a "mall Bennigans".

They had the 3 for 1 drink specials until the state outlawed that practice, so then it was one drink at full price, the next two were a nickel.

[Man of Steel]

Peppermint Lounge on San Pedro.

Listening to Gary DeLaune give the play by play to high school play-off games.

Streaking.

Man from Uncle lunch boxes

Using old cigar boxes for taking school supplies to school.

Mini Skirts

Paul Venema and Lydia Alegria on the Seven Show in the morning.

Getting in trouble in school for trying to grow our hair out like the Beatles.

Being released from school at Mount Sacred Heart the day that JFK was killed--buses lined up to take us home--all the Nuns crying--dad coming home early from work to watch the TV crying all day long.

Slip and Slides

Bell bottoms in junior high

Lou Roney (sp) on the radio

[Mr. Peabody]

Originally Posted by Twisted_Dawg

.....Southeast sider, eh?

Yeah. At least until I moved out to La Vernia at age 10.