HIGH ROLLERS, HIGH DOLLARS AND THE GALVESTON THAT WAS In 1901, the Lucas gusher blew in at Spindletop, near Beaumont (about 100 miles northeast of Galveston), producing the first major Texas oil field. That same year, the Maceo family arrived in America from Palermo, Sicily. By 1914, brothers Sam and Rose had moved to Galveston Island. With money they

THE FREE STATE OF GALVESTON: A TOUR GUIDE’S TALE While Galveston recovered from the devastation of the 1900 Storm, two things happened to take business away from the Island’s economy. Oil was discovered at Spindletop in1901and the Houston oil industry was born; then, in 1915, their ship channel opened. The once-decadent city of Galveston

A monument honoring our 30-year-friendship with Niigata was erected on January 25, 1995; however, it could not be formally dedicated until we, members of a Galveston delegation, could be present. On our third day in Japan, our group of 22 performed its most official duty in the island city's first sister city: the dedication ceremony of the Galveston

Galveston's first official sister city was Niigata, located on the west central coast along the Sea of Japan. Literally translated "new lagoon," the prefecture (or county) featured tall cliffs, a sandy beach, lush landscape and mountains suitable for skiing during the winter months. I visited during the summer of 1996, one delegate among

OK, OK -- since I've received absolutely no comments on this, Never Mind!! As my mom would have said, "this idea went over like a lead balloon!" IF you do have some story to share, please look for the group, Discover Historic Galveston on FaceBook and send it there. Thanks!Back to my regular Galveston-oriented posts. Check the latest

Day 2 of our ocean escape began early. After coffee, we attended that mandatory life jacket muster blessedly postponed from that most hectic departure -- then Gene and I went our separate ways so as not to suffer from too much togetherness. Since this was my transition from life before and after Ike, I laid a healthful course for my cruise with plenty

And now for something completely different . . . . rather than recount tales of Galveston's history, I'll act as a different kind of Tour Guide -- one who leaves the Island for foreign adventure! Before anyone had heard anything about Hurricane Ike, Gene and I discovered a transatlantic cruise on Voyager of the Seas leaving Galveston on his

On March 31, 1878, janitor Henry and Tiny Johnson welcomed their second child into the world: Arthur John Johnson. The Johnsons had left the plantation in favor of the more cosmopolitan city, living on the east end of Galveston in a small house at 8th and Broadway. This city was particularly attractive to freedmen due to the strong African American

" . . . stop and smell the seaweed." Not only am I a "BOI" I'm also Bummed Over Ike too!! You would be a BOI squared

Well, not too far away in League City . . . As so many of us, I got "Iked" -- only twice. Neither property has been livable since September, although taxes, insurance and monthly maintenance fees continue. With my tabby cat, I moved into a 1,000 sq' apartment with my "Gentleman Friend," Gene, when I got a job up here. I figured