Juneteenth

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On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston to inform enslaved African-Americans of their freedom and let them know the Civil War had ended. Granger’s announcement put into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued more than two and a half years earlier on January 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln.

Granger’s announcement is, perhaps, the most significant
historical event ever to take place in Galveston.

A segment from the order issued by en. Gordon Granger. (National Archives/National Archives )

A segment from the order issued by en. Gordon Granger. (National Archives/National Archives )

The proclamation was read by Granger at three Galveston locations - at the Osterman Building on The Strand, where the Union Army set up its headquarters after the Civil War; at the Galveston County Courthouse, 722 21st Street; and at Ashton Villa, 2300 Broadway.

Historians tell us that, upon hearing the good news, the freed slaves in Galveston headed over to the “Colored Church” to celebrate. That historic structure is now the historic Reedy Chapel AME Church.

Juneteenth received its name by combining June and 19. The day is sometimes called Juneteenth Independence Day, Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.

Juneteenth was originally celebrated by families coming together to pray. As part of some celebrations on this day, former slaves and their descendants, would make annual pilgrimages back to Galveston.

This nine-foot-tall statue, celebrating Juneteenth as a state holiday, was erected in 2006 on the grounds of Ashton Villa.

This nine-foot-tall statue, celebrating Juneteenth as a state holiday, was erected in 2006 on the grounds of Ashton Villa.

Over the years, Juneteenth has remained a major day of celebration in Galveston, with the city usually holding more than a dozen events, including barbecues, a beauty contest, musical performances and parades. Combined, the events usually attract more than 10,000 people. This year, because of the coronavirus epidemic, only a few special events are planned.

In 1979, Juneteenth became an official Texas holiday, thanks to the dedicated efforts of State Representative Albert (Al) Edwards of Houston. Since then, other states have followed in kind. Currently, efforts are underway in Congress to have Juneteenth declared a national holiday. Perhaps, by this time next year, it will be!

Silk Stocking

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My plans this morning included a slow drive through the entirety of Galveston’s Silk Stocking Historic District. I wanted to see all of the beautiful old homes and mansions. Regretfully, a self-guided tour was one I had not yet - In all my days on the island - put on my agenda.

Before I headed out, I did a bit of homework, searching online to get the facts about the district - specifically, its exact location and boundaries. Silk Stocking, I learned, is situated south of Broadway Boulevard and bounded by 25th and 23rd streets, from Avenue K to Avenue P. It is recognized as one of the most intact neighborhoods of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The district’s name refers to the wealth of its early residents; all were considered prosperous; all could easily afford to purchase silk stockings - unlike many others on the island at that time.

Silk Stocking was originally developed in the 1870s. It featured a mix of single-family houses, a small corner store, large vacant blocks and industrial sites. Until the 1890s, the core of the Silk Stocking District was occupied by the Texas Cotton Press. After the Texas Press went bankrupt and was demolished, the area was subdivided, and the lots sold at auction in 1898.

Many buildings here survived the Great Storm of 1900 and subsequent grade raising, when The Seawall was built and sand was pumped in to raise the level of the land beneath it.

The homes in this 14-block section of historic Galveston include some of the island’s finest examples of Queen Anne architecture. The entire area was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Today, 25th Street (also called Rosenberg Street) is the main link between the historic Downtown/Strand/Postoffice/Seaport area and The Seawall, with a trolley line connecting them.

Nowadays, the homes for sale in Galveston’s Silk Stocking District range in size from modest to massive, with the average featuring at least 2,000 square feet. Prices range from the $150,000s to the $750,000s.

Tree Sculptures

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Hurricane Ike was a major storm, one that few here will ever forget. It blew across Galveston Island on September 13, 2008, and its damaging winds played havoc on many structures and uprooted many of the island’s most beloved trees. Thousands of other trees were lost, as well. They simply could not survive the salty flood waters of a 15-foot tidal surge. (Sadly, many of the lost trees were planted right after the Great Storm of 1900 to reforest the island.)

Months after Ike, artists took matters into their own hands and began to replace the majestic oaks that once lined many neighborhood streets with whimsical tree sculptures. Now, there are more than 35 of them dotting the island landscape. Many are located in the Historic East End District.

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This morning, I decided to spend a couple of hours “playing tourist” and seek out some of these most unique masterpieces.

I had heard “3 Pelicans and a Fish” could be found near The Mosquito Cafe, so I headed in that direction first and there, behind the restaurant, I spotted it. This great work is one of 10 tree sculptures in Galveston created by Indiana artist Dayle Lewis.

I found another Lewis’ sculpture, “Great Dane,” at 1228 Sealy (facing 13th Street). The owners of the home here have a Great Dane, named Hunter. Apparently, the old tree had actually grown around the fence at the very spot where the paws in the sculpture grip the fence.

Sadly, just after “Great Dane” was finished, someone stole one of the paws. I hear the homeowner offered a reward: $50 for the return of the paw and $500 for the hands of the thief! Fortunately, the sculptor, who was still on the Island, carved and installed a new paw.

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In the yard of the red brick house at 511 17th Street, I found “Angel Cradling Bunny,” one of seven tree sculptures created by Houston artist Jim Phillips. At this house on the corner, the sculpture watches over the yard, which is a bird, butterfly and bunny sanctuary.

Happy to say, I found several other works by Phillips today. “Dalmatian” and “Fireplug” were two of my favorites. They are located on the grounds of Galveston City Hall, near the Fire Station 1.

“Tin Man and Toto,,” two more favorites, were found at 1702 Winnie. Word is King Vidor, one of the directors of the movie, The Wizard of Oz, was born in the front downstairs bedroom of this property.

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Finally, I went to see “Pod of Dolphins and Mermaid.” This one, created by painter and wood sculptor Earl Jones, is located at 902 Ball Street. The dolphins in the sculpture represent the children of the family, and the Mermaid represents the mother. This tree had been the homeowners’ “family tree.” I hear they are very happy to still have their tree, even in its new form.

So, I’ve now seen about one-third of Galveston’s treasured tree sculptures. Looking for them was fun, looking for the rest of them will be too!

Babe's Beach

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A. R. “Babe” Schwartz

A. R. “Babe” Schwartz

The 15-block stretch of beach west of 61st Street in Galveston is known as Babe’s Beach, but not because of all the babes who hang out there

No, Babe’s Beach was named after Aaron Robert “Babe” Schwartz, a lawyer and politician who served in both the Texas House of Representatives (1955-59) and in the Texas Senate (1960-81). He was considered a “yellow dog" Democrat and a force to be reckoned with.

Born in Galveston on July 17, 1926, Schwartz fell in love with the island and its beaches as a boy and, even more so while working as a lifeguard here during the summers.

As an elected official, Schwartz specialized in legislation to protect the environment and manage the resources of coastal areas. He helped create the Texas Open Beaches Act, which guarantees free public access to beaches on the Gulf of Mexico.

At the time of the official naming of the beach and celebration event on May 25, 2015, Schwartz was 89 years old and in attendance, along with a host of his friends, fans and family members.

Opera House

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The Grand 1894 Opera House, located at 2020 Postoffice Street in Galveston’s Historic Downtown Cultural Arts District, has a very special place in the history of the island and in the hearts of its citizens.

The Grand was built in the Romanesque Revival style, with a seating capacity of 1,040. When it opened, it had the largest stage in the state of Texas (70’ x 37’ x 69’). Even today, a whisper on stage can be heard without a microphone. No seat in the audience is further than 70 feet from the stage.

The opera house survived the Great Storm of 1900 and another major storm in 1915, as well as Hurricanes Carla and Alicia and Ike. It has also survived years of neglect at various times in this illustrious history.

This year, in the middle of its 125th anniversary season, The Grand was forced to close because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But, knowing the determination of the people of Galveston, the closure is only temporary. When the time is right, the Grand 1894 Opera House will be filled to capacity once again, and all will be enjoying another great season of live performances on its stage.

In the meantime, we will remain patient and look forward to the upcoming season and another terrific lineup of shows and great experiences.

Community Commitment
In 1894, Henry Greenwall, a theater manager, raised 100,000 for the construction of the opera house, with substantial commitments made by a handful of prominent businessmen and civic-minded residents. And, when more than $8 million was raised between 1974-1990 for the Grand’s restoration, it was another remarkable community effort.

Support came from individuals, the business and corporate community, local government and, of course, included generous foundation support from around the state and nation. Chief among these were the generous leadership gifts of the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund, The Moody Foundation, Houston Endowment and the subsequent gifts of George and Cynthia Mitchell to help complete the restoration.

  • The 1894 Grand Opera House is listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks and is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.