Texas Heroes Monument

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The Texas Heroes Monument stands proudly in the middle of Broadway Boulevard at 25th Street. Most islanders drive by it hundreds of times each year, and tourists too can’t help but see it often as they make their way around the city. I wonder, though, how many folks have actually parked their cars and walked over to the monument to take a really good look.

Of course, everyone should. There’s lot of detail there, and each is significantly meaningful.

The monument was commissioned by Galveston philanthropist Henry Rosenberg to commemorate those who fought during the Texas Revolution.  

The monument was built by New England Granite Works at a cost of $50,000. It was shipped before June 4, 1899 and unveiled on April 22, 1900.

The monument was created by Louis Amateis, a professor in Rome, Italy.

The monument is 74 feet high, including the statue of Victory. The base of the monument is 34 feet in diameter. The bulk of the monument consists of four columns made from a single block of granite. These are 50 feet high. At the top of the columns are words which represent the qualities of the men who fought for Texas: Patriotism : Honor, Devotion, Courage.

The statue of Victory is 22 feet high. She holds a sheathed sword entwined with roses, and her right extended hand holds a crown of laurels.

Patriotism
The Patriotism column faces north to overlook the entrance to Galveston and, at the time, the entrance to the state of Texas. At the base of the column is a bronze relief of Sam Houston, flanked by representations of peace and war. Underneath Houston are the reliefs of five men: Henry Smith, Edward Burleson, Benjamin Milam, James Fannin and James Bonham. Below the column on the monument is a bas relief of the Battle of San Jacinto. And finally, below this, reads "A Tribute from Henry Rosenberg to the Heroes of the Texas Revolution of 1836."

Courage
This Courage column faces east and contains the statue of a female unsheathing a sword and ordering the Mexicans out of Texas. She is known as Defiance, and underneath here is the date October 2, 1835, the day of the Goliad Massacre, which is referenced by the bas relief of the massacre on the base of the monument.

Honor
Facing west, the Honor column houses a bronze female figure who represents Peace. At her feet are the names of heroes who did not have photos that could be authenticated: Neill, Hockley, Karnes and de Zavalla. Below her is the date April 21, 1836, the Battle of San Jacinto. A bas relief underneath the date commemorates Santa Anna’s surrender to Sam Houston after the Battle of San Jacinto.

Devotion
The Devotion column faces south and has a medallion of Stephen F. Austin surrounded by allegorical figures such as Davy Crockett and Williams Travis. Below is a bas relief commemorating the fall of the Alamo.

Rosenberg Library

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The Rosenberg Library, established in 1900 and built a few years later, is the oldest continuously operating library in Texas. That fact, plus the high level of service and resources the library provides, is a source of great pride for the citizens of Galveston, so much so that most locals are library-card carrying fans and frequent visitors. Me included!

Admittedly, I didn’t make it over to the library as soon as I had hoped, but when I did go, I was duly impressed and eager to look around (on all floors) and get a library card of my own. At the same time, I asked about book clubs, special events, etc. Again, I was impressed. The offerings here are amazing!

This statue of Henry Rosenberg is positioned at the entrance of the Rosenberg Library. It is a fitting tribute to the generosity and legacy of this Galveston businessman and philanthropist.

This statue of Henry Rosenberg is positioned at the entrance of the Rosenberg Library. It is a fitting tribute to the generosity and legacy of this Galveston businessman and philanthropist.

The folks working at the front desk were great. All were friendly and very knowledgeable. They seemed to enjoy answering my many questions. So, I couldn’t help myself. I asked a lot of them - especially about the history of the library and its namesake.

I learned a lot!

For example, the funding for the Rosenberg Library Association was provided via a bequest from Galveston businessman and philanthropist Henry Rosenberg. The association was organized on July 10, 1900, as a private corporation to give free library service to all the residents of Galveston. The building itself was dedicated on June 22, 1904, the birthday of its patron.

When the Moody Memorial Wing opened in 1971, it more than doubled the floor space and allowed for a children's library, a history center, several galleries to showcase museum collections and, later, a computer lab.

The Rosenberg Library is located at 2310 Sealy Avenue. For current information about its hours of operation and upcoming special events, please visit www.rosenberg-library.org/.