A Night in Houston 1960

Montage of film clips from a 1960 movie. Film clips courtesy of University of Houston Digital Library.

[@brayanrodriguez5328]

I wish houston was still like this

[@Worldwar1944]

Thugs ruined it.

[@cac8too]

This is the Houston of my childhood. I remember walking with my parents downtown around Christmas time. It was magical. At night the sidewalks glittered like diamonds (I guess it was the sand in the concrete) and the ladies' high heeled shoes tap, tap, tapped. And the store windows were beautiful! I miss those days.

[@jefferyrightmire9520]

Right there with you.

[@mrutrough]

I sure miss all the neon lighting from back in that era..

[@zurrillo1]

I Was Born In Houston Texas On August 23,1960 ...Houston Has Changed a Lot since Then...Here We Are In 2012 Going On To 2013 It's A Mega City Today ...Freeways Are Jammed With Traffic...But Downtown And Mid-Town Are Wonderful Comeback Areas Of Houston...I Grew Up On Allen Parkway Village From 1964 To 1967..I Went To Dial Elementary School Along With Henrietta.

[@jefferyrightmire9520]

I was born in 56' in the Heights Hospital. My dad was smart and had us out there by 64'. Spent every weekend and any vacation time near Friday Tx on their country place, then grew up after 64 We moved altogether in 64-65 to Crockett and finished school. Everything has changed-- even Crockett-, now we are way out in the woods-

[@lanabanana4403]

How cool! My husband and I had dinner at Gaido's on our first date in 1969. Houston had plenty to offer for night life back then. Thanks for the glimpse back to the beginning of a very dynamic decade.

[@marcusvaughn7019]

Born in 1963 in Houston, we lived off of Hiriam Clark at the end of South Main. I remember all of these places. My Mom worked at the "Gay Dot" at Westbury Square and my Dad hung out at the "Chez Lounge" off of S. Main. Learned to swim at Gateway. Favorite Chinese food was "Lee's Den" the absolute best ever. We moved from Houston in 1975, but it will always be my hometown.

[@youngmindedman]

I remember this very well; because I worked at Pig Stand drive-in on white oak drive as night manager.

[@eduardosalas2640]

For the guy that loved Someburger, it’s still around. White and Studewood. And one in Baytown. Both are great!

[@MsteeRose]

Thank you for this beautiful Houston. I remember well of the Red Lion I use to love seeing it, even now when I pass by where it used to be I take a glance over and remember the cars being in the parking lot. Thank you.

[@ValentinoDagher]

Where was this? I know there is a Red Lion on Shepard

[@Nivasi]

in 1960 I was 2 yrs old .. born in Memorial Hospital downtown, this clip made me smile. I miss HOME.. even saw where you slipped in Cokin's ? the only cafe in town that had the mini juke boxes on the tables.. My mother ran Stubby's on Chenevert.. Where you could find any TV or radio personality at any given time... When 'air conditioning was chill water' yes those were hard times, yet MUCH simpler.. Thank you for this big ol' Valentine's Grin!

[@rockmartinez6482]

I grew up in Houston in the 60s and this is a great memory about a special time for me.

[@jondstewart]

This was about the time that life in Houston was becoming bearable throughout the year and not just the months of November through February unless you had poor circulation in your body and loved hot weather. Homes and small businesses started getting air conditioning. Imagine life in Houston or most of Texas itself before then!

[@cavitycreep]

Gtfoh! We had attic fans to keep us cool

[@debbieweicht3139]

@@cavitycreep my folks had a window ac in their bedroom. The other was in the den where they spent their evenings. At 8, my bedtime, I would sneak in and holding up my pillow, cool it to sleep. Just sharing… Southwest Houston, 1957-1975

[@Mistydazzle]

My dad moved to Houston in the late 1940’s. He always said that Houston would not have grown into the giant city it became, without the advent of air conditioning.

[@jondstewart]

@@debbieweicht3139 I know what you mean. As a little kid, I hated going to my grandparents home in the summer in south Texas near Corpus Christi, but didn’t realize it was the heat and why I loved their bedroom the most. It was the only air conditioned room in the house with a nice cold window unit.

[@jondstewart]

@@Mistydazzle my mom had many stories growing up in Katy on Bartlett St. near the high school. She and her brother would fight over the fan at night and around 1959 they got a window A/C and she wanted to sleep in the living room. They only ran it at night to save on the light bill.

[@johntexas8417]

Born in Houston October 24, 1960. Lived at that time 5312 Pease St. Father worked at Schlumberger on 45

[@kmars21]

my folks lived at 4705 Pease when i was born in 58

[@devroshart]

Your welcome, this might be my favorite that I've put together.

[@rockymajic2002]

Very cool! I had a few flashbacks watching this.

[@marksnexus]

Wow! I was born in Houston . Only recognize a couple as a child that were still open when I was a kid. Gaidos, and Toddle House. Old school Houston. Thanks for sharing! 

[@johnnyramonlongoria58]

Just ran into this video and I remember many of these landmarks, many of which no longer exist but memories are forever. I was just a kid but I remember.

[@summermen]

Marvelous. God, Valian's had really good food.

[@MondoConnie]

This video is incredibly well shot. Impressive.

[@cookinaunt]

Wow remember most of these. Some with great memories growing up.

[@jacole439]

Wow, what a nice thing to be able to view all the iconic places on film that I knew growing up in Houston.

[@jayhuskey2280]

Thank you for posting this! One of the coolest vintage videos of Houston I've seen! Love it!

[@jenniferharris7633]

Wow, memories. I wasn't there in 1960, but in 1969 alot of those places were still here.

[@bryandesjardins6073]

Thank you so much for this video and for the music. I just got turned on to the music Dave Brubeck -- perfect music for the video! My first memory was as a 2- or 3-year old pudgy kid watching a Houston TV commercial for Heart's (sp?) Restaurant.

[@jwswhidbey1]

truly as I remember it... Thanks

[@crimsonwolf9099]

Leo's Mexican Restaurant!!! Ate there a zillion times and loved it.

[@JC_wonderland]

Whoa!! Some burger and Oceans 11 at the Alabama theater, wow only if I had a time machine that’s amazing

[@brianlohse7672]

Love the music.

[@MikeAGarza]

Houston Oilers AFL Champions two times 1960🏆 and 1961 🏆

[@fidenciapalacios9432]

I.wish.we.could.go.bavckto. Those.times.best.times Ever.

[@josephrollins4505]

I love the take five sound track, very classic and original.❤️

[@bullymaguire1]

Too bad I was born 2006 in Houston, i’d like to experience something like that.

[@Randy97402]

That's also Galveston. (Gaido's) Thanks so much for posting. I've been trying to remember College Inn Pizza for years, but didn't see a pic til just now. (roughly Chimney Rock and Westheimer Road)

[@devroshart]

The Gaido's in the film was on South Main near where the Astrodome is now.

[@johnjohnson6969]

I remember most of this,cool to be alive then

[@tragic3134]

awesome video, I appreciate you uploading this! always wanted to know the place where I'm from on how it was in the 60's!

[@GroovyteenofFlowerpower]

I live in Houston 😊😄👢

[@adamcantu6920]

Somebuger best Burger,French,Fries, Onions Ring and Malted. I miss it there was one at Wayside and Avenue P. Always go there it was a small shack. Love them 60's.

[@ChargerBullet]

When did that one close?

[@sunnybogden]

that was really cool, thanks for sharing

[@RonJackson]

Wonderful! Please keep going!!!

[@jefferyrightmire9520]

Loved Someburgers

[@px4man]

Love it-Been there. Thanks, PX4MAN

[@hebneh]

An absolute wealth of neon, as were most American cities then.

[@arthurlopez2182]

Back in the days

[@JEMCO2008]

Thank you for the post. From Earl,

[@milkcan42]

nicely done

[@mercygrrl]

And Battlesteins Dept Store @ 03:21 mark! Fantastic version of Take 5 accompanying the images.

[@jonshecket3010]

The best thing about being alive in this era that nobody realized would ever change is the ability to go to another city and find completely different restaurants. Nowadays everybody just goes to Applebees.

[@williamrowlett740]

Yuck. I hate Applebee's because my ex-wife used to love it. I went there at Christmas 3 days ago and it's gotten worse. Dennys or Waffle House would have been better.

[@crimsonwolf9099]

@@williamrowlett740 HOUSE OF PIES! 24/7 and great.

[@83devildog]

Wish i was alive then

[@Formikahini]

The Poly-Asian!! And Ding How! I'd love to see more *anything* you have on these restaurants of Albert Gee's. Great version of Take Five, BTW.

[@bryandesjardins6073]

...to the music of Dave Brubeck -- that is!

[@cherylbean521]

All gone now

[@rockzhard2009]

i was born at night in Houston in 1960.

[@wallypez]

Nice.

[@stevenpilling5318]

Sonny Look's, Alfred's and Old San Francisco!

[@youngmindedman]

I met my wife at McDonalds drive-in on South main.

[@elli003]

Loved the pizza a Valian's and everything at Bertha's. What was the seafood restaurant that had a huge crab over the entrance ?

[@devroshart]

elli003 Gaido's was restaurant. The crab was moved to Galveston's Gaido's.

[@ReverendGuyWallis]

What song is this? I know it but I can't think of what it is

[@devroshart]

A cover version of “Take 5”

[@ReverendGuyWallis]

devroshart awesome thanks! Love your videos

[@ReverendGuyWallis]

devroshart btw I subscribed, sub back if u want to. And keep it up with the cool old videos :-)

[@michaelthannisch7310]

Can someone help me. There is a restaurant sandwiched in between the Red Lion and Y Olde College Inn. If I remember right it was called the Polynesian Gardens. It was on South Main. I was very young when I went there with my parents. Can anyone confirm the name, or tell me the correct name if I am incorrect? Please.

[@gilramirez5069]

hello I'm looking the old Monterey Mexican restaurant. it's the Christmas one. could someone please help me find it.

[@JohnSmith-kz8yo]

HA..Ocean's 11 was playing at the Alabama. I wonder if the Houston Carousel club was in any way affiliated with the infamous one in Dallas?

[@jacole439]

I don't think it was, I have been looking up info on the history of the hotel (my mom was a switchboard operator there in the early 70's) I have seen no mention of a "chain" hotel in Dallas.

[@williamrowlett740]

Not likely. Jack Ruby ran the Dallas Carousel burlesque nightclub until he murdered Lee Oswald. Even before then, he wasn't worth a flip at running businesses or nightclubs. Plus, Ruby had hardly no ties to H-Town.

[@melindastrange]

Ha.. I was 5 years old the summer of '60.

[@devroshart]

So was I, turned 6 at the end of that year.

[@DigitalRaider1]

Not much has changed since then except for hand held devices

[@thegoat4849]

Carousel motel is now more famous because of the infamous lawsuit that took place

[@aadamjsmith82]

And other nefarious activities

[@dwaynethomas7205]

IS THIS VIDEO AVAILABLE ON DVD FROM U of H ???

[@devroshart]

Sorry no. The original documentary is on their website, from which I used to make this video with their permission.

[@dwaynethomas7205]

Thanks !

[@MsteeRose]

Awwww sad. oh well

[@djmohglojojo]

Gotta be Montrose 😁😁😁

[@fidenciapalacios9432]

Any.one.remembers.princess

[@ericcartmansstrengthandpow5960]

Now a cesspool.

[@adamcantu6920]

Wild bill Go back to La Salle County, IL

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Yeah, Troy Grove, IL.

[@leeannr3809]

😂Oceans eleven at the Alabama?

[@59nerevar]

Classic Houston. It's just another bland city now.

[@joemartin1253]

robert burgess I don't think so!

[@mjt2231]

Houston's not all that bad.

[@londonfalling9661]

Robert if you don’t live here or from here, fuck off 🤣

[@joemartin1253]

Back then it was a just solid concrete a million billboards not very attractive at least now you have plenty of vegetation which makes it look nicer.

[@hanc37]

Houston is an overpopulated shithole.

[@abelmontalvo4052]

Must have been a good time in 1960 in Houston Ted Cruz wasn't around.

[@gilramirez5069]

hello I'm looking the old Monterey Mexican restaurant. it's the Christmas one. could someone please help me find it.

[@mjt2231]

Gil Ramirez oh my god, i miss that place. we used to eat there every saturday.