Five Fun Things for Kids to Do in Houston in 1972 That Don't Seem Fun at All

By John Nova Lomax Mon., May 21 2012 at 6:00 AM

2. Show them the exciting world of casually sexist journalism at "the outwardly striking and impressive within" Houston Post building (4747 Southwest Freeway.) Not only will the kids love the "polished slate floors, wood-grain concrete walls, and contemporary art work," they will find it equally amazing when they see the "Want Ads Department," where "about 60 women process the various types of personal advertising."

If you want to see the Linotype machines, you'd better hurry, because that technique is "rapidly being replaced by a relatively new method called 'Cold Type.'" And no visit would be complete without a trip to the newsroom, which "is divided into City, State and Copy Desks, Women's World, Business News, Sports, Action Line, and a few others." The Action Line? Sounds groovy.

1. We've saved the best for last. Are y'all ready? Are you strapped in? Got your helmets on? The Electric Living Center (2121 West Loop South) is a "public service operation of Houston Lighting and Power Company," and man does it rock.

Arrange a group tour two weeks in advance, and gaze in slack-jawed wonder as HL&P reps give "demonstrations of the latest modern electric appliances"! And there's more! "In a program given in the auditorium, graduate home economists prepare unusual dishes [no doubt utilizing the "latest modern electric appliances"!], sampled by the guests, and give helpful hints on food preparation and home management." They'll give you a seat for that show, but you're only gonna need the edge of it, but good gravy, this riveting thrill-ride is still not over, folks!

"Other programs feature the effective use of lighting in the home and garden." And there will be refreshments courtesy of HL&P! Living at its most...electric!

Follow Hair Balls News on Facebook and on Twitter @HairBallsNews.

Tags:

Children, Foley's, HL&P, Houston post, taxidermy, tortillas

We Recommend

TOLDYA

You forgot the most fun sneaking cigarettes and watching our teenage neighbors getting busted,

ATX

"girls with big long braids operate the machines that turn large bags of corn into coarse, yellow dough and then to the flat, round tortillas that are a type of bread."

That just sounds like an accident waiting to happen.

FattyFatBastard

Wow. Way to take a good concept and ruin it with drivel. Peppermint Park FTW.

FaneuilD

Huh? What do you mean by that? Good concept and drivel?

John Nova Lomax

Peppermint Park is also not in the book.

Drozy

What year was "Sea Arama" (Did I spell that right?) around? In Galveston.

John Nova Lomax

It was there in 1978 or so. There is an Indian mound like ruin there to this day, I think.

roadgeek

Sea Arama was just awesome. Our science class made more than one field trip there. A little grungy...a little low-rent.....it was just perfect. So Southeast Texan.

mollusk

Sea Arama was also where my Boy Scout troop did its annual February camping trip. This was before there was such a thing as a self supporting dome tent; I think the justification was that it would be less hot and have fewer mosquitos.

Craigley

We were regulars at Bush Gardens on Loop 610.

Houstess

I moved here in 1972 as a kid. We had a blast. Of course that was before the beer can house and orange show, two things that no doubt raise the world's estimation of Houston's class. There was also the Imperial Sugar factory tour and dollar outfield seats in the dome. Later on, there was free beer for every Astro homerun. Those were the days. But, oh yea, it was also the time when two unrelated depraved individuals, both known as The Candy Man for different reasons, roamed the area. In that respect it was a scary time to be a youth in Houston.

David Houston

...The beer can house, that pile of old cans and unlevelled concrete somehow passes for an artwork in this city... Sad when you think about it.

Wyatt

Judging by you name, I don't think you were ever a teenage boy, so you didn't have much to worry about in regard to Dean Corll.

John Nova Lomax

And I just realized over the weekend: this book IGNORED Kiddie Wonderland, easily my favorite attraction here until I was about seven.

Craigley

Don't forget Peppermint Park.

John Nova Lomax

Never made it to that place. Kiddie Wondeland 'til I D-I-E, sucka.

RoyMix

Thanks, I had actually forgotten kiddie wonderland on South Main you have to go to Mexico these days for that kind of entertainment these days.

John Nova Lomax

There was a similar place in San Antonio circa 1999; I have no idea if it is still there.

Thenonymous

[shrug] Kid's love crap like that.

John Nova Lomax

Astroworld was there, I mentioned it in the article as something kids could do, but the point of this article was not to mention things kids could do that were actually fun. @RoyMIx: Foley's might have been fun in 1972, but it's hard to imagine now, especially if you go to the Macy's that took its place. Or went to Foley's anytime since 1980....

RoyMix

You are totally correct about Foley's, but back in the early '70s the downtown store was still really nice, especially at the holidays. It had nothing on Joske's Christmas stuff in San Antonio, but it comparing it to Macy's is a crime. Contra "Miracle on 34th Street" even in its glory days even the original Macy's in New York was a lousy department store.

Yeah, I was just about to mention Astroworld... what year did it come into existence.

RoyMix

1968. It was still in its original pre Six Flags incarnation in 1972.

RoyMix

Hey wait a second, I have fond memories of going to the old downtown Foley's, my Mom even had Mr. Meyer over for dinner once. And don't knock the tortilla and tamale factories will always be a very vivid memory. I also did the Houston Post tour several times with my school, the linotype machines were amazing, you really have no idea.

And anyway back in 1972, Houston had Astroworld too! If I could take a trip back to 1972 Houston it would be fantastic.