You Won't Believe These Old Texas Photos!

[@StillLivinginthewoods]

My mother worked as a telephone switchboard operator at the Shamrock Hilton in the 70s. I remember everything looked SO fancy, but also so old and dingy. It was both impressive and sad at the same time. There aren't many Houston landmarks from my childhood left, which gives me little reason to visit my old hometown.

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

Hi StillLivinginthewoods! 😊 What a powerful memory you shared! It’s bittersweet how time changes places, especially those that hold so many personal stories. I hope you find new reasons to reconnect with your hometown-maybe some hidden gems that bring back those memories. ✨🌆

[@waltonwarrior7428]

Oh to turn the clock back to that time for just one day. Pictures bring back great memories as I grew up in Houston.

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

Thanks for your comment, Walton! 😊 I know what you mean-pictures can really transport us back in time. I'm glad they brought back great memories of Houston for you!

[@sprokethead]

Oh, Lord!..this reel just did my head...I courted my first wife at Valian's...the absolute best pizza pie in the world and romantic dining rooms...I later played lead guitar in a band in the Emerald Room of the Shamrock Hotel. I attended the Metropolitan Theater with my sister for the Love Me Tender opening. I have a collection of 16mm film I shot from the 60s-70s downtown. I can't believe so much of it is gone with the wind.

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

Wow, what amazing memories, Sprokethead! 😊 It sounds like you had some incredible experiences at Valian’s and the Shamrock Hotel. The changes over the years can be surprising, and it’s special that you have 16mm film from that time. Thank you for sharing your story and for connecting with these memories through the reel. 🌟📽️

[@pracylopgonzer3176]

Thank you. I was born & grew up in houston in the 50’s. Lots of memories there

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

You're welcome! 😊 It’s great to hear that the video brought back memories of Houston from the 50s. Thanks for sharing and for watching!

[@AnnacolleenEtters]

I was born in 1956, but have an incredible memory, snippets of memory, to my mother telling my sister, "don't let the baby fall off the bed", while she brushed her hair. I only turned my head, and bam!, was on the hard floor. My mother still held the brush, there were sparkles in the clear plastic handle, which she swatted my sister with. It's like I can see both of their faces, as in a snap shot. It's what my mind has done my whole life, created snaps of being in Sunday school, watching the Beltway built, around DC, making mud pies, hiding under my bed, my big brother swinging me up to shoulders so high, and him in his coffin. I like the soundtrack you have used. I enjoyed the pictures, very much. God Bless you, and thank you.

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

"Thank you so much for sharing your memories with me. It’s incredible how certain moments stay with us so vividly throughout our lives. I’m glad you enjoyed the soundtrack and the pictures-it means a lot to hear that. God bless you too, and thank you for your kind words!"

[@CTLanni]

Shamrock Hilton pic, just after 4:00 mark. My wife and I had just moved to Houston in 1978. Mom came to town to attend an event at the Shamrock. We stopped in to visit one evening. When leaving, we decided to snoop around. Surprisingly, none of the elevator buttons were "locked out", so we went up to the top floor. The suites were locked but I found an unlocked utility door leading up to the roof. I climbed all the way up into the Shamrock sign! Why? just so I could tell everyone I did it. Then I hopped over to one of the suite balconies and let my wife in so we could see how the Elites live! Luckily no one was around and apparently no security system. It sure was a swanky place! Oh, the sign was green neon tubing and huge!

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

@CTLanni What an incredible story! The Shamrock Hilton must have been such a fascinating place to explore. Climbing up into the sign and sneaking into a suite-those are memories you'll never forget! It's amazing how places like that hold so much history and adventure."

[@marykotara381]

The photo of the Texas Rangers was taken at Ranger Headquarters in Austin. It’s also displayed at the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Waco.

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

"Thanks for the info, Mary! 😊 It’s great to know more about the history behind the photo. I appreciate the update!"

[@StillLivinginthewoods]

Oh wow...is that Gulf Gate mall at the 1:40 mark? It had a roof by the time I was a kid, but I remember pictures of it when it was open-air. Just a shopping center there now.

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

Hi StillLivinginthewoods! 😊 Yes, that's Gulf Gate Mall at the 1:40 mark! It’s fascinating to see how things change over time. Thanks for sharing your memories of it-such a cool piece of history! 🏬✨

[@carlcrisp8700]

Picture #3 may be in West Texas but it ain't Houston or the Gulf Coast. We don't have any mesas down here.

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

Thanks for pointing that out, Carl! 😊 You’re right, the mesas are more common in West Texas, not in Houston or the Gulf Coast. I appreciate the correction and your interest in the photos! 🌟

[@deniselove1585]

May be in Big Spring, Howard county. Several mesas there

[@JoanHale]

I recognize the downtown palais royal store. Gosh!

[@JoanHale]

I also recognize the now destroyed shamrock hilton!

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

@JoanHale It's incredible how these old photos bring back such vivid memories! The Palais Royal store was truly a downtown landmark!

[@resacarat]

9:30 Lee Harvey Oswald celebrating Christmas at the LBJ ranch. Oops

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

Thanks for pointing that out, Resacarat! 😄 That’s a notable historical detail. I’ll make sure to double-check the details in future videos!"

[@EverettBaland]

Neat oldie photos, perhaps some small bloopers. Sub-titles seemed to promote modern Houston, but great music for the journey.

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

Thanks for your feedback! 😊 I'm glad you enjoyed the old photos and music. I’ll review the subtitles and see how we can better align them with the historical content. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelweinzel2099]

Should I put some street name's or area of Location on this?

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

Hi Michael! Including street names or specific areas can enhance the context and make it more informative. It depends on your goal for the content.

[@michaelweinzel2099]

@@NEWVINTAGE955 I did not make this video I was speaking to the one who did.

[@Squee_Dow]

1:42 Gulfgate?

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

Yes, that's Gulfgate at 1:42! 😊 Thanks for catching that and for watching the video!

[@billj8513]

Mom was a cigarette girl at the Empire Room in the Rice hotel. She worked there while in college

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

Yes, that's Gulfgate at 1:42! 😊 Thanks for catching that and for watching the video!

[@davidadcock8717]

Photo #2 appears to be East Avenue in Austin (now known as I35.) If I am correct, the large dark building just to the right of the right-side road would be the old Breckenridge hospital, and the white dome at top right would be the Texas Capitol. Also GHWB founded Zapata Petroleum in Midland (I went to elementary school with GWB.) In about 1960, when GHWB announced that he was moving to Houston and forming Zapata Offshore to do deep well drilling & production in the Gulf, there was great consternation among the west Texas oilmen: they were convinced that Zapata would go bust. But $Zillions of production later, it looks like he was right.

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

"Thanks for the detailed info, David! 😊 You’re right about the locations, and it’s fascinating to hear about the history of Zapata Petroleum. I appreciate your insights!"

[@michaelditto]

I always enjoy looking at old photos like these (even though I've spent very little time in Houston) and searching for the same places in Google maps. I found several of these, especially the ones and Main St near Preston St. Many of the large buildings are still there, looking nearly identical. You have a terrible mistake at 9:27 to 9:40. Lee Harvey Oswald DID NOT spend Christmas with his family in Dec 1963.

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

Hi Michael, thanks for your feedback! 😊 I’m glad you enjoy the old photos and searching for the locations on Google Maps. It’s fascinating to see how much has stayed the same. I appreciate the correction about Lee Harvey Oswald. I’ll review that part and make necessary adjustments. Thanks for helping ensure accuracy! 🌟📸

[@DeniseSatterwhite]

How well I remember Valians,,,,if you wanted delicious pizza, Vallians had the best People say you can;t go back in time, but I'd sure like to,,Being a native Houstonian born in the 1950's our lives were so much simpler then, going out to eat on a Saturday night shopping at Foleys downtown where everyone dressed up,,,,,nowadays it's common to see women and some men in their pajama bottoms wearing flip flops,,our society has totally broken down

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

"Thanks for sharing, Denise! 😊 It’s true that things were different back then, and those simpler times hold a special place in our hearts. Nostalgia can be a powerful reminder of how much has changed."

[@sammyday3341]

Look how safe it appeared back then before all the teens moved in.

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

It’s interesting to see how things have changed, Sammy. 😊 Those times did feel a lot different. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for watching the video!"

[@daralynncameron3290]

The cars are from the early fifities and no,I do not recoginize Houston although I lived there in the Mid sixties and later

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

@daralynncameron3290 Thank you for pointing that out! It’s fascinating to see the evolution of cars from the early fifties. If you have any specific memories or details about Houston from the mid-sixties, we’d love to hear them! Your insight adds a valuable perspective to our content.

[@texaszag8748]

Or, maybe these aren’t old photos at all, but proof of how backward texas has become! They have, after all, been trying for years to roll the clock back to the 1950’s.

[@NEWVINTAGE955]

"Interesting perspective, Texaszag! 🤔 It’s true that sometimes history can reflect current issues or changes. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!"