Trip Down Memory Lane

[Hagar]

Believe it or not, a trip to Beaumont was a big deal in my youth.  When I was about 5 or 6 (early 1950’s) we’d make a trip into downtown Beaumont.  During Christmas It was much like the start of a Christmas Story.  Looking at the windows of Kress’s, Woolworth, and Morgan & Lindsey’s.  Going in & seeing all the toys and decorations.  Every time I see that movie I think of those days.  As I got older my sister (6 years older than me) would get to see a movie at the Jefferson and Liberty Theaters.  In those days safety wasn’t a problem.  In that respect, it was “the good old days”.  I suspect some of you have the same fond memories. 

[baddog]

1 hour ago, Hagar said:

Believe it or not, a trip to Beaumont was a big deal in my youth.  When I was about 5 or 6 (early 1950’s) we’d make a trip into downtown Beaumont.  During Christmas It was much like the start of a Christmas Story.  Looking at the windows of Kress’s, Woolworth, and Morgan & Lindsey’s.  Going in & seeing all the toys and decorations.  Every time I see that movie I think of those days.  As I got older my sister (6 years older than me) would get to see a movie at the Jefferson and Liberty Theaters.  In those days safety wasn’t a problem.  In that respect, it was “the good old days”.  I suspect some of you have the same fond memories. 

Yes, I remember well (sometimes). Gateway killed downtown Beaumont. Sears & Roebuck used to turn their basement into their Christmas shopping spot. The store was on Broadway and Magnolia. Building is still there. Heard about something called a mall in Houston. Think it was Gulfgate. Couldn’t believe you could put all those stores together under one roof. Later came Parkdale Mall (a proposed site for the Astrodome) and it practically killed Gateway. Lot of places are gone now. 11th street and College used to be a circle. Circle drive-in was where Conn’s offices are on College. I could go on, but that’s enough for now. 

[WOSdrummer99]

1 hour ago, baddog said:

Later came Parkdale Mall (a proposed site for the Astrodome)

Really?

[baddog]

34 minutes ago, WOSdrummer99 said:

Really?

It was looked at. Rogers Brothers owned the property and decided to build a mall. What I was told anyway. Dowlen road and all the stores were not there. There was plenty of room. I’m sure there were plenty of sites to be viewed. 

[Hagar]

1 hour ago, baddog said:

Yes, I remember well (sometimes). Gateway killed downtown Beaumont. Sears & Roebuck used to turn their basement into their Christmas shopping spot. The store was on Broadway and Magnolia. Building is still there. Heard about something called a mall in Houston. Think it was Gulfgate. Couldn’t believe you could put all those stores together under one roof. Later came Parkdale Mall (a proposed site for the Astrodome) and it practically killed Gateway. Lot of places are gone now. 11th street and College used to be a circle. Circle drive-in was where Conn’s offices are on College. I could go on, but that’s enough for now. 

Yup, left out Sears.  If I had a dollar for every time I rode the escalator there, I’d be rich, lol.  It was a real novelty back then.  High faluting for SETX back then.

[baddog]

Apologies, the mall we went to in Houston was called Sharpstown.

[baddog]

3 hours ago, WOSdrummer99 said:

Really?

They still have Old Dowlen Road, goes by Wal Mart. Dowlen today is not close to what it was back then. Would anyone like to hear about Major Drive? lol

I said earlier that Dowlen was not there. Meant it was much different. 

[tvc184]

22 hours ago, Hagar said:

Believe it or not, a trip to Beaumont was a big deal in my youth.  When I was about 5 or 6 (early 1950’s) we’d make a trip into downtown Beaumont.  During Christmas It was much like the start of a Christmas Story.  Looking at the windows of Kress’s, Woolworth, and Morgan & Lindsey’s.  Going in & seeing all the toys and decorations.  Every time I see that movie I think of those days.  As I got older my sister (6 years older than me) would get to see a movie at the Jefferson and Liberty Theaters.  In those days safety wasn’t a problem.  In that respect, it was “the good old days”.  I suspect some of you have the same fond memories. 

In addition to Sears and the Toy land, the streets in Beaumont were completely lined down and across the streets with lights put up by the city.

There were very few parking lots and we usually had to walk up and down the blocks. I don’t know if anyone even locked their vehicles.

There were lots of faults back then but safety was not one of them. 

[tvc184]

…. and there was still in my memory some chocolate candy that you could only buy at Sears. I think you had to buy it by the pound. It was blocks of chocolate and I swear I can still taste it.

[baddog]

20 hours ago, Hagar said:

Yup, left out Sears.  If I had a dollar for every time I rode the escalator there, I’d be rich, lol.  It was a real novelty back then.  High faluting for SETX back then.

You and me had to have crossed paths and didn’t know it. Steak and Egg, Sears escalator, probably the Fair (the real fairgrounds)…

Lots of things have changed in Beaumont, just like anywhere else. 11th street used to be “The Drag”. Taking out the circle killed that. Used to be a Gandy’s restaurant on 11th (think that was the name), Popeye’s Chicken used to be a McDonald’s. Laurel and Liberty streets were opposite one-way than they are today. Carnation’s Ice Cream changed to a foot doctors office. Gaylynn theater and shopping center is now part of St. Elizabeth. Showtown is now a golf practice range. South Park drive-in is now a parking lot for plant contractors. I remember Cardinal Drive when it was only the access roads. Lots more, but my fingers are tired.

[Hagar]

55 minutes ago, baddog said:

You and me had to have crossed paths and didn’t know it. Steak and Egg, Sears escalator, probably the Fair (the real fairgrounds)…

Lots of things have changed in Beaumont, just like anywhere else. 11th street used to be “The Drag”. Taking out the circle killed that. Used to be a Gandy’s restaurant on 11th (think that was the name), Popeye’s Chicken used to be a McDonald’s. Laurel and Liberty streets were opposite one-way than they are today. Carnation’s Ice Cream changed to a foot doctors office. Gaylynn theater and shopping center is now part of St. Elizabeth. Showtown is now a golf practice range. South Park drive-in is now a parking lot for plant contractors. I remember Cardinal Drive when it was only the access roads. Lots more, but my fingers are tired.

Made 11th street many’s a time.  Take the circle to the Pig Stand on College then circle back to the Pig Stand on 11th.  Thursday or Friday afternoon was clean & make the car shine.  When I got the Plymouth Fury it was out to the frontage road passed Don’s Seafood to race a challenger. Glad they weren’t worried about green energy, lol.  Burnt up many a gallon of gas in those days, lmbo.

[tvc184]

Riding the Sears escalator was an adventure like a train ride. 

[tvc184]

And with the escalator always reminds me of this, government workers taking an escalator to work….

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[Hagar]

The most profound YouTube clip ever.  
😂😂😂👽👽👽😂😂😂

[mat]

 

[WOSdrummer99]

On 1/14/2023 at 11:32 AM, Hagar said:

Take the circle to the Pig Stand on College then circle back to the Pig Stand on 11th.

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[Hagar]

On 3/12/2023 at 11:55 PM, WOSdrummer99 said:

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Lol, didn’t need a map, just follow the clean & waxed cars with mag wheels and dual exhaust.  If I had a dollar for every time I made that trip, we’d all be rich.  Gas mileage?  No worries mate.  That 383ci 4bbl Plymouth Fury got 13mpg, but it was a short trip. Lol!