A Happy Hour

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It’s been a little over a year since I bought The Bungalow and, nearly as long, since I joined The Bryan. But, this afternoon was my first time to join the fun of a happy hour on the grounds of the museum.

My plan was to meet my friend, Marlee, here and check out Galveston’s Own Farmer’s Market, which only recently moved to this location on Thursday nights, and request a complimentary glass of wine (for museum members), sit and relax, listen to the music of the band and, perhaps, make a few new friends.

All worked out as planned, and we had a truly lovely time!

The weather was perfect - not too warm or humid. There was a slight breeze in the air. It could not have been more idyllic.

The well-heeled crowd was perfect too. All were museum fans and supporters - and very friendly! We talked to several people we didn’t previously know and learned a lot about their island experiences.

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I was surprised to run into a Facebook friend from Houston. Jeff, like me, is a part-time resident of Galveston. It was only recently that he acquired his raised bungalow on the East End. It was fun to chat with him about our mutual efforts to improve and decorate our properties. Like me, he plans to share his bungalow with vacation renters during the summer months.

While I was there, I walked into the museum’s gift shop, positioned in a cute little building of its own, right near the outdoor courtyard. A visit here is always a treat for the eyes. The buyer for the shop does a great job and, always, I see things I want to pick up and take home. Tonight was no exception. I ended up purchasing a colorful runner for the dining room table in The Bungalow, as well as a book on the history of Galveston.

At the same time, I left plenty of other unique and interesting hings in the gift shop to consider for another time!

Ashton Villa

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The 1859 Ashton Villa, a fully restored historic home, was the first of Galveston’s great mansions built on Broadway Boulevard. Since its completion, it has been at the center of the island’s social life.

On January 7, 1859, Colonel James Moreau Brown, a prominent hardware merchant and banker, purchased four lots on Broadway on which to build a home. Referencing architectural pattern books current at the time, he modified several plans to design his future home. Using slave labor and European craftsmen, Brown proceeded to build one of the first brick structures in Texas.

The three-story house was built in Victorian Italianate style, with deep eaves, long windows and ornate verandas that were topped by lintels made of cast iron. The brick walls were made 13 inches thick, to help protect against humidity and add strength to the structure. The interior of the home was laid out and designed around a central hall floor plan. Brown's wife, Rebecca Ashton, named the home in honor of one of her ancestors, Lt Issac Ashton, a hero in the U.S. Revolutionary War. 

The house was completed in 1861. When the Civil War began, the home became the headquarters for the Confederate Army and served in that capacity for the entire war, except for a brief period in the fall of 1862. At that time, Galveston was surrendered to the Union Army, which made Ashton Villa its headquarters. The Union's occupation was short lived, however, as Galveston was re-taken by the Confederates during the Battle of Galveston in January 1863.

Brown died in 1895, just five years before the Great Storm of 1900 devastated Galveston. Ashton Villa, however, managed to withstand the storm's winds and infamous storm surge, while serving as shelter to Brown's widow and children. In the storm's aftermath and grade raising of the city, its basement was filled in with sand, and the surrounding grounds were topped with two feet of soil.

Ashton Villa was sold in 1927 to the El Mina Shrine masonic order. The house served as its business offices and meeting hall until 1970, when it was offered for sale. Under the threat of demolition, the Galveston Historical Foundation raised $125,000 to purchase Ashton Villa. With additional funding from local foundations and the government, the process of restoring and refurnishing the home began. On July 25, 1974, the Galveston Historical Foundation opened the home to the public to serve as a House Museum, visitors center and a place for special functions.

Ashton Villa is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark.  


96th Birthday

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Today is the one-year anniversary of my purchase of The Bungalow and, to celebrate, I hosted an open house for my old friends in Houston and my new friends in Galveston. At the same, I wanted to mark ceremoniously the 96th birthday of my sweet little property on the island.

Though rain threatened to dampen our spirits this afternoon, it never came; and more than 50 invited guests traveled from near and far to get here. (I love my friends!)

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Among those on hand for the festivities was my son, Matt, who got into the spirit of things by showing up in 1920s-style beachwear. He knew I planned to wear my own 1920s-inspired ensemble and would so appreciate (and be amused by) his efforts!

Matt also brought his Echo to the party and instructed Alexa to “play 1920s music.” She did as instructed, and the background sounds could not have been more perfect.

Among my many guests was Gay Paratore, a well-known Texas artist, who now lives nearby, in Santa Fe, Texas. Gay grew up in The Bungalow, but she had not been back to the house since selling it in 2009. I had spoken to her on the phone a couple of times, but had not yet met her. I was delighted she accepted my invitation to come back to her family home and be part of the celebration!

While she was here, we toured The Bungalow together, going from room to room. In each, Gay remembered something special about the space, like the wall scones in the back bedroom (her old bedroom). She confirmed they were original to the house, but noted that she believed they were now hung upside down! (Gotta blame this misstep on the last person to paint that room.)

She also pointed to The Bungalow’s wooden rocker. After studying it for awhile, she said it had, indeed, belonged to her mother. She said, “I didn’t recognize it at first. Mom always had that rocking chair sitting out there on the front porch.”

I asked if Gay if she would now like to take back that rocker. She said, “No, it belongs here!”

Since then, though, that sweet rocker has been repositioned out on the front porch - exactly where it really belongs!

Gay also told me there used to be a garage and a huge pecan tree out int he back yard. Sadly, both are gone now.

What a bummer; I would have enjoyed the benefits of each of them!

Seawolf Park

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Seawolf Park is a memorial to the USS Seawolf, a U.S. Navy Sargo-Class submarine, mistakenly sunk by U.S. Navy forces in 1944 during World War II. It is located on Pelican Island, just north of Galveston Island.

It is the home of the U.S. Navy Museum and two preserved U.S. Navy ships: the Gato-class submarine USS Cavalia, and the Edsall-class destroyer escort USS Stewart. The remains of the World War II tanker, SS. Selma, the largest concete ship constructed, can be seen northwest of the park’s fishing pier. Also preserved at the park is the conning tower of the Batao-class submarine USS Carp, and the sail of the Sturgeon-class nuclear attack submarine USS Tautag.

The park has a picnic area and a playground. Fishing is permitted on the pier for a small fee. There is also pedestrian access to the shoreline on either side of the park where anglers can fish for free. Fish that can be caught in the park area includes sand sea trout, speckled trout, catfish, drum and flounder.

Seawolf Park is accessible by car from Galveston. Just take 51st north to Pelican Island. The road deadness at the park.

Ball High School

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Earlier today, I had the privilege (and pleasure) of speaking to a group of career-minded female students at Ball High School. I was invited to speak about my education and career in journalism and my life as a publishing entrepreneur. The invitation came from Francis Dyess, a friend and fellow member of Texas Executive Women. The experience could not have been more fun.

First, I always enjoy being with young women who have an eye on their futures. And, secondly, I always enjoy sharing my story of knowing at an early age “what I wanted to be when I grew up” and, more importantly, how I knew!

The girls were especially attentive, and after my talk, they asked a lot of very good questions. Clearly, they were smart and ambitious young women and quite serious about realizing their own dreams — of going on to college and, afterwards, pursing meaningful lives of purpose. I was truly impressed!

At the same time, I was also impressed by this large and beautiful school.

Though The Bungalow is located only a few blocks away, I had never been inside Ball High School. And, though I knew a few tidbits about the history of the school, I did not have enough facts to chat knowingly about it. This evening, I aimed to change that. Thus, below are some of the interesting facts I’ve just learned about this historic public school.

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The school opened to 200 students on October 1, 1884. It consisted of 12 classrooms, two offices and an auditorium. Its motto was “Best school south of St. Louis and west of the Mississippi.”

On March 4, 1886, the school was named for its benefactor, George Ball, a local dry goods businessman who, in 1883, contributed $50,000 for its construction. Sadly, he did not live to see its completion.

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In 1890, Mrs. George Ball spent $47,000 to remodel, enlarge and beautify the building. At this time, the Rotunda and Dome were added to the north front of the building.

In September 1900, the Great Storm struck, and Ball High School was not spared from the fury of its waves and wind. The west wall slipped; the roof blew off; plaster crumbled; windowpanes crashed; and the metal covering was stripped from the ball of the dome, showing its skeleton of steel ribs.

Afterwards, the citizens of Galveston raised the $45,000 needed to repair the high school and other Galveston schools and, also, to pay the teachers’ salaries.

In 1915, two wings of classrooms were added to the school. And, then, for 30 years, no additions or improvements were made. Today, the main building of the old Ball High School, still stands at the corner of 21st and Ball Avenue. It has been remodeled and expanded and houses the home offices of the American Indemnity Company.  

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In 1954, the Ball High School complex moved to its new location at 41st and Avenue O. This new building cost $3.2 million to build and covered a four-square-block area (from 41st to 43rd Streets and Avenue O to Avenue P). The new location has received many additions and renovations over the years - in 1964, 1974, 1981, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2004 and 2005.

During the 2018-2019 school year, Ball High School had a student enrollment of over 2,045. The total minority enrollment was 73 percent, with 57 percent of students identified as economically disadvantaged.

Over the years, Ball High School has produced many highly successful graduates - architects, artists, attorneys, businessmen and women, engineers, musicians, politicians, physicians, etc.

Additionally, 29 professional athletes claim Ball High School as their beloved aluma mater. And all, I’m sure, still remember well their days at Ball High School, playing for the Golden Tornadoes (Tors) and wearing proudly the team colors of purple and gold.