The Original

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My son, Matt, was in Galveston recently to help me with a few minor projects around The Bungalow and to join me in seeking out places not yet seen, including restaurants.

I had long heard about the Original Mexican Cafe and, after telling Matt a bit about it, he too was eager to go there for lunch and check it out.

The Original was founded in 1916 by Raymond Guzman in his two-story home in the East End. Quickly, Guzman earned an enviable reputation for serving up the best beef and chicken enchiladas. Today’s owner, John Bannon, Jr. still serves up great enchiladas, but he also offers up tasty grilled pork tacos, fajitas and spinach quesadillas.

The Original has the distinction of being the longest continually operating restaurant on Galveston Island. It is situated on its original site at 1401 Market Street.

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Matt and I arrived at the restaurant in the middle of the lunch hour. Though there was a nice size crowd there, we waited only a few minutes to be taken to a table in the first-floor dining room. And, minutes later, the waiter was at our side, ready to take our orders.

We started by ordering two of The Original’s prize-winning margaritas. My was frozen; Matt’s was on the rocks. Both were probably larger than we needed, but both were very good!

The menu at The Original is extensive (lots of unique and interesting combos), but we both opted to try The Original’s classic cheese enchiladas with rice, beans, etc. Again, we both enjoyed our meals and commented that we’d definitely come back!

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!

Bryan Museum

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Today, I took the advice of many and made my first visit to the Bryan Museum. As described, it is a very special place, and spending a couple of hours there - going through the galleries and walking around the grounds - was truly a treat.

The Bryan Museum, I discovered, presents the history of Texas and the American West in an incredibly beautiful setting and in a most comprehensive and inspirational way. All is by design, and history buffs like me love it. I found myself quickly wanting to learn all I could about the museum and those who created it. At the same time, I wanted to be more than just a tourist; I wanted to become an avid supporter of the great work being done here.

J.P. and Mary Jon Bryan purchased the old Galveston Orphans Home in June 2013. After a careful restoration of the historic structure, the couple opened the Bryan Museum in June 2015. With 20,000 square feet of exhibit space and lush, manicured grounds, it immediately become an island treasure and a must-see Texas destination.

The Bryan Collection is one of the world's largest collections of historical artifacts, documents and artwork relating to Texas and the American west.  The collection spans more than 12,000 years, with pieces ranging from ancient Native American cultural artifacts to modern 21st century objects.

With approximately 70,000 items in total, the collection includes 20,000 rare books; more than 30,000 documents in Spanish, German, French and English; three dozen saddles and over 250 antique firearms, several hundred spurs, a large collection of art (religious art, folk art and portraits), exceedingly rare maps and artifacts, such as "cowboy" chaps; Native American stone tools and arrowheads; and a Spanish mission bell.

In addition to its permanent galleries, the museum also includes space for rotating special exhibits, a library, conference room and an archive. Outside the museum, on the beautifully landscaped grounds, there is a sculpture garden, fountain and gazebo, as well as the Conservatory. All are lovely venues for the many public and private events held at the museum throughout the year.

About the Structure
The original Gothic revival building, located at 1315 21st Street, was constructed from 1894-1895 with funding from Henry Rosenberg, a Galveston businessman and philanthropist. Sadly, the building was destroyed by the Great Storm of 1900. But, fortunately, newspaper publisher William Randolph Heart hosted a charity bazaar at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City to raise funds for a rebuild, which was completed in 1902. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 21, 1979.

Firemen on Call

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All four of these good-looking Galveston firemen showed up at The Bungalow this afternoon.

Admittedly, it was a bit unsettling to see their bright red truck stop in front of The Bungalow and, then, to see the firemen exit the truck and move toward my front door. Little did I realize, all was a-okay. They were simply stopping by to install a couple of complimentary, welcome-to-the-island smoke detectors and to do so with their special brand of small-town customer service.

Of course, I invited them all in and, because they seemed curious about the place, encouraged them to look around if they were so inclined. They did, and like me, liked the brightly colored decor!

When the firemen completed the task at hand, I followed them outside. A second surprise was waiting; all my new neighbors were in their yards, watching from a safe distance. No doubt, they wondered why the truck was parked on their street and what the heck was going on!

I think they were very happy to find out that “new lady down the street” had done no harm!

About GFD
In 1885, the first paid fire department in the Texas was established in Galveston. Ever since then, the Galveston Fire Department has worked hard to protect its citizens from all kinds of hazards, including hurricanes and medical emergencies.

Oleander City

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Before I purchased The Bungalow, I had long been a frequent visitor to Galveston. And, each time I crossed the causeway onto the island, I was greeted by the sight of the lush and beautiful oleander bushes lining Broadway. I never failed to notice and truly appreciate them!

But, it was not until I became a homeowner here that I realized Galveston is known as The Oleander City and home of the International Oleander Society. It makes sense! Oleanders are everywhere!

The first oleanders came to Galveston in 1841 when Joseph Osterman, a prominent merchant, brought them by ship from Jamaica. He gave them to his wife and sister-in-law, Isadore Dyer, who found them easy to cultivate and gave them to friends and neighbors. The familiar double pink variety that Isadore grew has been named for her.

As early as 1846, the yards in Galveston were full of oleanders, and the beauty they added to the city was duly noted. Oleanders flourished in the city because they were able to easily withstand the subtropical weather, the alkaline soil and the salt spray. Thus, oleanders ultimately became the dominant bushes used in the replanting of the city following the destruction of the Great Storm of 1900.

In 1912, the Women’s Health Protective Association planted 2500 oleander bushes - many along Broadway, the entrance to the city, and on 25th Street, the pathway to the beach front. In a few short years, oleanders made a spectacular display of blooms for citizens and visitors.

Later, the name of the WHPA was changed to the Women’s Civic League, and the plantings continued for many years. The bushes were alongside city streets, in parks and yards, around public buildings and schools. Soon the whole city became a garden of oleanders.

According to an editorial in the Galveston Tribune, “As early as 1908… the oleander was emblematic of Galveston and that people came from all over to see them.”

In 1910, The Galveston Daily News also reported that Galveston was known throughout the world as “The Oleander City” and in 1916, an article named it one of the most beautiful cities in the South.

Through the pollination of the two original Galveston Oleanders, ‘Mrs. Isadore Dyer’ and ‘Ed Barr’, many hybrids have been created throughout the century. Many of these have been distributed all over the United States and, today, are growing everywhere the climate is amicable. Today, corals, yellows, reds, pinks and whites in singles and double forms are found in the warmer climates of America.

In May 1967, the National Oleander Society (later changed to the International Oleander Society) was born, thanks to the vision of Maureen Elizabeth “Kewpie” Gaido and Clarence Pleasants.

Inspired by Pleasants (known as “Mr. Oleander”) Kewpie promoted the oleander all over the world. In 1971, she corresponded with Ronald Reagan, (then Governor of California), after learning he had designated oleander plantings along many miles of California freeways. She also talked with Lady Bird Johnson concerning her own promotion of the oleander around Texas.

Oleanders in History
According to the International Oleander Society, “Oleanders were found in Ancient Greek, Roman and Chinese gardens. In China, the cultivation of oleanders was a hobby of literary men who adorned their studies with cut Oleander blooms.

Due to the preserving layers of volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, we know that Oleanders were also grown in the gardens of Pompeii. They were the plant most often painted on Pompeian murals (circa 79 A.D.) and were usually found represented in informal settings as background plants or mass plantings in the unique, traditional garden wall paintings whereby the Pompeians created the illusion that their gardens extended far into the countryside.

The Hebrew holy text, The Talmud, mentions the oileander numerous times, especially in the Mishnah, the first part, compiled around 200 A.D.”