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.



Mardi Gras Parade

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This morning, a group of my friends and I (The Mermaids) gathered at Salas Mexican Restaurant on The Seawall for an early lunch and, afterwards, to walk outside and watch our favorite Mardi Gras festivity, the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius’ annual Kick Off Parade.

We love that the parade is held in the middle of the day - not too early, not too late. We love that the parade takes place along on The Seawall, with the Gulf of Mexico as its backdrop. We love the floats and marching bands. We love the wild and crazy costumes of the participants.

Always, we watch the parade with our arms waving wildly, hoping against all hope that the bead-throwers will notice us enthusiastic spectators and be generous givers of their purple, green and gold Mardi Gras beads.

We love this parade because the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius never disappoints.

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About the Krewe
The Mystic Krewe of Aquarius, organized in March 1985, is the second oldest Mardi Gras social organization in Galveston, formed after the revival of Mardi Gras on Galveston Island in 1984.

The all-volunteer crew is a non-profit, fraternal organization. Aquarians design and construct all floats for both Krewe of Aquarius sponsored parades: the Kick Off Parade and the Fat Tuesday Parade. Members also design their own costumes and buy all their own throws and decorations. Other activities of the Krewe include its Ball and Barn Bash, plus the Children’s Parade and the Galveston 4th of July Night Parade on The Seawall.

The Dolphins

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In 1975, The Dolphins, created by Galveston sculptor David W. Moore, was installed downtown in the center of the pedestrian corridor on Postoffice Street - that once ran between 21st and 24th Streets. Standing six feet tall, the solid bronze sculpture, is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.

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The Dolphins was created in conjunction with the Al Shakis Art Foundry in Houston. The Dolphins were donated to the city and citizens of Galveston by the collective efforts of a private donor and Galveston Foundation, Inc.

When the Postoffice Street corridor was re-opened to vehicular traffic, the Galveston Commission for the Arts made the necessary efforts to relocate the statue to its current location at Fort Crockett Seawall Park, located on Seawall Boulevard at 45th Street.

About the Sculptor
Born Feb. 16, 1921, David Moore grew up in a large home in Galveston, located at 31st and Avenue O, where the Galveston Artillery Club now stands.

Moore worked for the Moore Lumber Company, a family firm and the second-oldest lumber company in Texas, and for Moore-Climatic, Inc. He was a trustee of the Rosenberg Library and helped form the Galveston Cultural Arts Council. Moore died in 2001, at the age of 80.

Other sculptures created by Moore can be found in Galveston. They include The Heron, on display at Galveston's Ashton Villa; Young Girl with Turtle, at the Rosenberg Library, and Boy with Seagulls, displayed at the Texas Seaport Museumt. The 1900 Storm Memorial, which Moore was planning long before he was commissioned to do such a work, was unveiled in September 2000.

1900 Storm Statue

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Today, September 8, is the anniversary of the Great Storm of 1900 -the perfect day to re-visit the 1900 Great Storm Statue on The Seawall.

The 1900 Storm Memorial Statue was created by Galveston sculptor David W. Moore in memory of the more than 6000 men, women and children who died in the Great Storm of 1900.

The bronze statue, 10 feet in height, was installed at 4800 Seawall Boulevard on the storm’s 100th anniversary in 2000.

On any given day, those walking along The Seawall will stop to take a closer look at this statue and, perhaps, to offer a silent prayer for the thousands who lost their lives on that fateful night in 1900. At times, flowers are left at the base of the statue. When I see them there, I always wonder if they were left by descendants of those who died in the storm or by people, like me, who always become incredibly mournful when thinking about the many, many victims.

Storm of 1900
The Category 4 hurricane is recorded as the deadliest natural disaster the history of the United States.

The hurricane came ashore on Galveston Island on September 8, 1900 with 134 mile-per-hour winds and 15-feet storm surges. In addition to the enormous loss of life, it leveled took the 7,000 buildings and left 10,000 people homeless.

The disaster ended the Golden Era of Galveston. Potential investors in the city, so alarmed by the ravages of the hurricane, turned to Houston for new opportunities. .

Murdochs

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Murdochs, located at 2215 Seawall Blvd., is the largest and most popular souvenir shop in Galveston. It is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

It was built in the sand of the Gulf, on piers, in the 1800s, before the construction of The Seawall. Originally, it was a bathhouse, where island visitors could rent bathing suits and take showers.

Murdochs, with no protection from an angry sea, was destroyed by The Great Storm of 1900. It was rebuilt in 1901, but reconstruction has been required again and again - following additional violent storms in 1909, 1915 and 2008.

Today, Murdochs’ customers climb up one of two staircases to enter one of two entrances leading into one of two large showrooms, both filled with all things “beach.” There are souvenir shirts and hats, sunglasses and sandals, coffee mugs, shells of every shape and size, and hundreds of other coastal trinkets and decor items, The showroom on the west side features a bar-like, refreshment stand offering a variety of child- and adult-friendly beverages and snacks.

Connecting the two showrooms is a long covered porch, complete with dozens of big white Adirondeck chairs Often, I go there to watch waves roll onto the shore below or seagulls soaring high above. Always, there is an endless breeze that cools my skin and warms my soul.

Hanging out on the beach below Murdochs is a treat too. On any given day, you will see families or groups of friends gathering there to enjoy the sand and surf - and shade!