This day in Houston history, Dec. 16, 1951: 'Bottle-slinging youths' terrorize cafes

Houston Chronicle front page for Dec. 16, 1951.

Houston Chronicle front page for Dec. 16, 1951.

Houston Chronicle file

A gang of youths apparently caused a disturbance at two cafes in the downtown area.

Both of the cafes were located on Gable and Bramble streets near " El Barrio del Alacran ." The ringleader, who was in a wheelchair, was shot in a previous run-in with police the prior year.

In other news, Houston school leaders were debating what to do with the Sam Houston High School building downtown. It would soon house HISD's administration building until the headquarters moved out on Richmond Avenue. The building was eventually demolished and was a parking lot for many years before becoming the new home of Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

That square block bordered by Austin, Rusk, Caroline and Capitol has played a role in education in Houston for about 150 years.

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