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.

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.

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.