Postcards

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This afternoon, like many other island history buffs, I watched “Galveston in the Rage of Postcards, 1898-1918,” a live lecture by local native son and collector Richard Eisenhour. The presentation was hosted by the Galveston Historical Foundation and accessible via Facebook and the GHF website. (I understand the presentation will now be archived and accessible via #GalvestonHistory.com).

The presentation started at 2 p.m. and lasted for about 90 minutes and, due to the talents of the presenter, the time flew by far too quickly.

One by one, dozens of historic postcards appeared on screen as the enthusiastic and highly knowledgeable Eisenhour educated us about their origins and significance.

Admittedly, I came to the presentation with high interest, as I too am (and have been) an avid postcard collector. Now, I don't claim to possess any museum-quality postcards, but I do have a personal collection that dates back to my childhood.

Long before I bought The Bungalow, I was visiting Galveston and picking up local postcards to send to friends - and to keep. Thanks to Eisenhour, I’m now looking through all of them again to see exactly what I have.

The Flagship Hotel

Eisenhour suggested looking for postcards with pictures of landmarks that no longer dot the landscape of the island, indicating those would be considered significant now.

And, guess what? I found a few postcards just like that.

Old Galveston Causeway

• One of the Flagship Hotel
• One of the Balinese Room
• One of Murdoch’s before Hurricane Ike
* One of the Old Galveston Causeway

What fun it’s been to find these old postcards and how nostalgic it is to look at them again; it’s as though I’m looking at photographs of long-lost friends.

I will always fondly remember The Flagship Hotel and The Balinese Room and Murdoch’s the way it used to be.

As for the original causeway…? Well, I don’t remember it as depicted in this old postcard. And, that’s probably good. I would not have enjoyed driving across Galveston Bay on a low bridge with such low side rails. In this case, it’s far better for me to simply hold on to this postcard — evidence of the island’s uniquely historic past.



Resilience Flag

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In the spirit of community, the Galveston Historical Foundation (#GalvestonHistory) is now selling the Galveston Resilience Flag. It bears witness to the rare ability of local citizens “to recover, rework and recover from natural disasters, while never losing sight of their shared history.”

The newly released flag is now available in two sizes, 3′ x 5′ for $39.95 and 4′ x 6′ for $89.95. Flags have grommets at the left corners, triple stitched hems, corner cross-stitching and are made from a weather-resistant polyester. Flags are now available for purchase online and can be shipped or picked up.

I learned about this flag yesterday (quite by accident) and ordered one to post at The Bungalow. I’ll be picking it up on Monday, when I return to the island.

I love the idea of the flag, and the meanings of all of the elements in its design. It will be an honor to display it - and explain the details to all who ask about it.

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About This Flag
The Galveston Resilience Flag draws upon key pieces of Galveston’s geography and history.
• A lone star, the central piece of the flag, not only denotes the State of Texas but draws from the Galveston City Company logo of 1838. The formation of the Galveston City Company was one of the earliest official steps of the formation of the City of Galveston.
• The star also honors the Juneteenth flag. Juneteenth celebrates the June 19, 1865 delivery of General Order No. 3 by General Gordon Granger, which announced the total emancipation of those held as slaves.
• Colors featured on the flag are inspired by Victorian paint palettes and early Sanborn Insurance Maps of Galveston, with an obvious reference to the contrast between water and land.
• The division line symbolizes both Seawall’s barrier between water and land as well as the building up of the island during the post-1900 grade-raising. It also references the unique angle and shape of the island as contrasted against the coastline.

The Strand Clock

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Recently, I was shopping downtown and, for the first time, took note of a very tall, Victorian-era clock standing at the southeast corner of Strand and 22nd streets, in front of the First National Bank Building.

“Wow,” I thought. “How long has that clock been there? Where did it come from? Who put it up?”

So, naturally, when I returned to The Bungalow, I got online and did some research.

I learned the clock is 17-feet tall, and the timepiece measures four feet in diameter and sits atop the fluted metal stand. As I noticed, the base, stand and frame are all painted green.

I learned too that the clock dates to roughly 1900, a significant date in the history of Galveston.

As the story goes, John and Gerald Sullivan located the clock in a San Antonio warehouse in 1989 and hired Bill Young of Dallas to restore it. Later, the Sullivans donated the operational clock to the Galveston Historical Foundation for permanent display at its present location.

There is a plaque at the base of the clock that reads: Dedicated to the Galveston Historical Foundation and the Citizens of Galveston by the families of John L. and Cynthia L. Sullivan and Gerald A. and Susanne H. Sullivan. December 19, 1989

I liked seeing the clock, and I liked too learning about its history. No doubt, I will now notice it every time I walk down The Strand. And, I will look up at its face - with pride and much appreciation for those who brought it here.

Menardi Gras

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Tonight, I attended Menardi Gras 2018, held on the grounds of the Michel B. Menard House, site of Galveston Island’s first Mardi Gras celebration - held way back in 1853.

The grand event, hosted by the Galveston Historical Foundation, was a terrific evening of great food, fun and frivolity. Live music was provided by the Hustlers Brass Band, and partygoers showed up in festive and uniquely interesting Mardi Gras garb and ready to to party hearty

I enjoyed being part of this particular party as much as any I’ve attended since becoming a part-time resident of the island. Key to me was the size of the crowd - not too big! Tickets were limited, so walking around was easy. At the same time, my friends and I were able to secure places at one of the large round tables, so seated dining was available too. The offerings of the New Orleans-inspired buffet could not have been more perfect. Loved the muffuletta kabobs, spicy hot red beans and rice, Cajun sausage-stuffed mushrooms, pulled pork sliders and shrimp etoufee over white rice. All were yummy, and most of us went back for seconds. Champagne and signature adult beverages, to my surprise, were served from an open bar.

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About the Menard House
The Menard House, located at 1604 33rd Street, was built in in the Greek-revival style in 1838 and is the oldest surviving building on the island. The furniture and furnishings, with few exceptions, all date from the first half of the 19th century (1800-1850s). They are of the federal, empire, regency, Biedermeier and William IV styles, as interpreted by American, English, French and German artisans. Carpets, drapes and upholstery fabrics are reproductions appropriate for the period 1830-1850.

Menard died in 1856, and his descendants occupied the house until 1879. In 1880, the house was bought by Edwin N. Ketchum, who was the city’s police chief during the Great Storm of 1900. The Ketchum family owned the home until the 1970s.

During the early 1990s, the house was threatened with demolition by the City of Galveston. The current owners purchased the house and spent years researching, repairing and reconstructing it. Through a partnership with the Galveston Historical Foundation, the house is operated as a museum and is available for private events.

Bishop's Palace

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Bishop's Palace, also known as Gresham's Castle, is an ornate 19,082-square foot Victorian, located on Broadway Boulevard and 14th Street in the East End Historic District of Galveston.

The house was built between 1887 and 1893 by Galveston architect Nichols J. Clayton for lawyer and politician Walter Gresham, his wife Josephine, and their nine children.

The house was constructed in stone and made it sturdy enough to withstand the Great Storm of 1900. During the hurricane, the Greshams welcomed hundreds of survivors into their home.

Bishop's Palace has four floors. The raised basement which once housed the kitchen and servant's areas now contains a gift shop.

The home is estimated to have cost $250,000 at the time. It is estimated value today sits at over $5.5 million.

In 1923 the Roman Catholic Diocese of Galveston purchased the house and, situated across the street from the Sacred Heart Church, it served as the residence for Bishop Christopher E. Byrne. After the diocesan offices were moved to Houston, the diocese opened the mansion to the public.

In 1963, with proceeds from tours used to help fund the Newman Center, operating in the basement, serving Catholic students at the nearby University of Texas Medical Branch.

Today, the house is owned by the Galveston Historical Foundation and self-guided tours are available daily. A portion of each admission supports the preservation and restoration of the property.

Bishop’s Palace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a must-see for visitors to the island.