Guess Where This Is (Was) In Houston

By Richard Connelly Wed., Oct. 5 2011 at 8:01 AM

We downloaded this picture a while back, and now, sadly, we can't figure out where we saw it first. We thought it was from the highly entertaining website/e-book Houston Freeways, which we encourage everyone to explore, but a quick scan doesn't seem to show it there.

(If we're wrong, or you recognize where it's from, let us know and we'll credit.) (Update: It is indeed from Houston Freeways.)

Anyway, if our hunch is right, the picture shows a very familiar stretch of road for most Houstonians, even if it's hardly recognizable.

Any guesses as to where it is?

Our best guess is after the jump.

Tags:

Freeways, Old Houston

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Stazinoga

Looks like Beechnut and Gessner where they cross the SW Freeway. Check out those curved streets on a new map.

firehat

That is Bellaire at 59. It was in Erik Slotboom's Houston Freeways book.

Mike in Houston

Here's the source: http://www.houstonfreeways.com...

"Just southwest of the urbanized area of Houston was a huge tract of land whose destiny would be shaped by the imminent age of the freeway and freeway-driven suburban development. The newly designated Southwest Freeway was aligned to cut a diagonal path right through the property. For land developer Frank Sharp, the owner of the tract, the freeway would be the backbone of his new vision of urban America—a vision he modestly named Sharpstown. "

Rainer Schuhsler

Page 169 of Houston Freeways: http://www.oscarmail.net/houst...

jenniegump

You're right: Sharpstown. It's in Chapter 4. You just have it cropped tighter.

Skrimf

I believe you are correct in that it is Sharpstown except that it is looking at it from the west. Downtown is toward the upper left, Bellaire Blvd. is running through the center intersecting Hillcroft in the top center of the pic. Drive-in movie theater just to the left of that intersection, Bayland park is the big empty space situated in the center of the housing, Sutton Elem. smack dab in the middle of the neighborhood, Jane Long Middle, etc...and lookie there, the street I grew up on near the intersection of Hillcroft and Bellaire.

Dino

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl...

I think you're right. The streets look identical, if you turn your head the right way.

KAC

I think you got it from the Chronicle. It looks familiar. Bayou History Blog. I think it could be from Sharpstown area as well.

Hair Balls

No, definitely wasn't from the Chron, although they no doubt could have used it too at some point.

big red

I don't think you are right. Sharpstown, I believe, was built on a large empty lot, and did not require any demolition of houses. The housing tract shown (that is what it looks like to me at least) is where Sharpstown would have been built if you are correct. Back in the day when Sharpstown was built, there was a lot of undeveloped land as you went out what is now the Southwest Freeway.