Galveston Unscripted | Free. Texas History. For All.

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Not so distant past | Galveston's Black Business District Apr 23, 2022

Show notes

Galveston's Black Business District
Beginning in the late 1800s, the area west of 25th St. and North Broadway was the center of Galveston‘s Black business district with restaurants, theaters, insurance companies, and grocery stores, most owned, operated, and built by black citizens of Galveston. Names like Gus Allen, TD Armstrong, Albert Feas, “Neat” and Mary James, and Maggie Fisher were Staples among the community as they operated some of Galveston‘s most famous businesses and restaurants. In times of racial segregation, many businesses and services in Galveston’s Central Business District did not welcome people of color. However, West of Rosenberg Avenue was open for business. This district did not only serve residents of Galveston but sailors from all over the world and visitors from all over the United States. Keep in mind there in the times of Galveston’s shipping prowess. There were sailors from all over the world visiting Galveston. They were from countries like India, The Caribbean, South America, Africa, Asia, you name it, and not everyone was welcome in Galveston‘s central business district. As people would travel to Galveston for business or pleasure, many African-Americans utilized the Green Book. This resource provided addresses to welcoming businesses all over the United States. Galveston claims at least 12 businesses listed in the green book, most of them found in Galveston‘s Black Business District. As you can see, very little of this district remains today. Although very few of the homes and buildings remain, we cannot forget the importance and history of perseverance and self-sustainability
Interested in information covered in this episode? Reference links below:
The Green Book in Galveston
African American Historic Places in Galveston
Lost Restaurants of Galveston’s African American Community
Black Galveston
African-American History Resources: Reconstruction to the Present
1894 Arial view of this area | Water Works tower
List of Black Newspapers in Galveston
📱Social Media and other ways to explore history
📍Visit Galveston history audio tour map!
🎧Market Mile with Spotify! | West of Rosenberg Ave & North Broadway

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Wesley Tabernacle United Methodist Church | Strength and Perseverance from the beginning Apr 23, 2022

Show notes

Wesley Tabernacle United Methodist Church | Strength and Perseverance from the beginning
The African American Methodist community in Galveston dates back to 1848 when Gail Borden deeded land on Broadway for a church for the enslaved. Following the Civil War, the congregation changed its affiliation from Methodist Episcopal Church to the African Methodist Episcopal denomination. The Church became known in 1867 as Reedy Chapel, and in 1868, the St. Paul group divided with one group buying property on Broadway and 38th St. becoming Wesley Tabernacle Church. The Reverend Peter Cavanaugh organized the Church in 1869 as an independent congregation. Church members met in a one-room house on Broadway between 38th and 39th Street. As the Church grew, the present location was purchased, and the house was moved to the site. After the loss of church buildings to a fire and the 1900 storm, a one-story building was erected. In 1924 the Church was remodeled by raising the building and constructing a new first floor. The new construction gave the building a unique combination of architectural styles as seen today. The pews and altar furniture date back to 1881. Wesley Tabernacle United Methodist Church has long been involved in social progress for the African-American community it serves. Members have promoted civil rights for many years, including organizing the first anti-lynching society in Texas in 1914. Like other religious organizations in this area, Wesley Tabernacle represents strength and perseverance and has done so over the past 150 years.
Interested in information covered in this episode? Reference links below:
Wesley Tabernacle United Methodist Church
African American Historic Places in Galveston
Black Galveston
African-American History Resources: Reconstruction to the Present
📱Social Media and other ways to explore history
📍Visit Galveston history audio tour map!
🎧Market Mile with Spotify! | West of Rosenberg Ave & North Broadway

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George W. Carver Theatre | Teatro Rey | La Plaza Theatre Apr 23, 2022

Show notes

George W. Carver Theatre | Teatro Rey | La Plaza Theatre
In Galveston, the Martini family is a household name. These days the Martini name can be found on 21st and Church Street on the old Martini theater and here, just west of Rosenberg Avenue on Market Street. At one point, the Martini family owned eight theaters, one of which was opened in Galveston‘s Black Business District. The George W. Carver theater opened in 1940. The Martini family opened this theater specifically for African-American audiences. The area north of Broadway and west of Rosenberg Avenue was Galveston‘s Black Business District during racial segregation. The George W. Carver theater operated for 19 years until 1959, when Mateo Vela bought it and converted it to Spanish-language films directed at Hispanic audiences. Mateo named the theatre Teatro Rey. In the 1970s, the theater changed hands and was briefly called the La Plaza theater until it closed in 1979. The shell of this theater today stands as a reminder of segregation, marginalization, and eventual racial integration—a stepping stone to a past that is not so far behind us.
Interested in information covered in this episode? Reference links below:
African American Historic Places in Galveston
Lost Restaurants of Galveston’s African American Community
Black Galveston
African-American History Resources: Reconstruction to the Present
La Plaza Theater
1947 Fire Map Showing Theatre
📱Social Media and other ways to explore history
📍Visit Galveston history audio tour map!
🎧Market Mile with Spotify! | West of Rosenberg Ave & North Broadway

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Pirates left behind, Texas Revolution veterans, & Immigrants from Maine | Saccrappa: The forgotten community before the city of Galveston with Lou Macbeth Apr 22, 2022

Show notes

📍Visit our interactive map!
Enjoy this content? Buy me a book! 📚
📱Social and other ways to explore Texas History
Historic resources for everything we discuss in the episode: https://www.galvestonunscripted.com/lou-macbeth
Lou Graves Macbeth is a co-founder of the Laffite Society and has conducted decades of research into early Galveston history. She initiated her research following her genealogy to 1830s Galveston and a community called Saccrappa on the East End of Galveston. Lou has been an asset to researchers and authors across the island and Texas due to her experience and willingness to share her Knowledge and story.

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USLA President on how Galveston Island Beach Patrol affects beach lifeguarding on a global scale | Quick history of Galveston Island Beach Patrol Apr 13, 2022

Show notes

📍Visit our interactive map!
Enjoy this content? Buy me a book! 📚
📱Social and other ways to explore Texas History
Full conversation on Spotify
Historic resources for everything we discuss in the episode: https://www.galvestonunscripted.com/beach-patrol-peter-davis-interview

Chief Peter Davis is the President of the United States Lifeguarding Association, the Secretary General of Aquatics International, and Chief of Galveston Island Beach Patrol. He has been involved in Beach Safety, Surf Rescue, and development of water safety programs for over 30 years. Peter and I sat down and discussed the history of Galveston Beach Patrol, Beach Culture in Galveston, and general beach safety over the past century.
Tour with Spotify:
👂Listen: Beach culture & Beach Patrol with President of the USLA: Chief Peter Davis | Evolving from a rag tag rescue boat to protecting 7+ Million Galveston beachgoers every year.
👂Listen: The Great Fire of 1885
👂Listen: East End Historical District
👂Listen: Silk Stocking District
👂Listen: Port of Galveston
👂Listen: The Hendley Building
👂Listen: Lost Bayou Historic District
👂Listen: Texas Heroes Monument

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The 1920 Bubonic Plague outbreak of Galveston with Dr. Paula Summerly | An infected needle mishap, rat proofing the island, and trailblazing women in the medical field. Apr 05, 2022

Show notes

📍Visit our interactive map!
Enjoy this content? Buy me a book! 📚
📱Social and other ways to explore Texas History
Historic resources for everything we discuss in the episode: https://www.galvestonunscripted.com/paula-summerly-bubonic-plague
Dr. Paula Summerly is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Her primary appointment is manager of the Old Red Medical Museum, McGovern Academy, Office of the President (UTMB). Prior to holding these positions, she completed scholarships and fellowships at the Institute for Health Humanities (UTMB) the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University and the Dittrick Medical History Center, Case Western Reserve University. She curated a permanent medical exhibition for the Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow, Scotland (2005) and has served as a curatorial consultant both nationally and internationally including Visual Pathology, Galveston Arts Center (2018), the Wellcome Collection’s Forensics: Anatomy of Crime (2015), Dirt: The Filthy Reality of Everyday Life (2011), exhibited at the Wellcome Building, London, UK. Dr. Summerly is working as part of a team to establish a new medical museum in Old Red (the 1890 Ashbel Smith Building) at the heart of the UTMB Galveston campus.
More on Dr. Summerly
https://www.utmb.edu/pathology/faculty/paula-summerly-msc-phd
Keywords: The Bubonic plague in Galveston, Texas
The Black Plague in Galveston, Texas
The bubonic plague in Galveston, Texas. Texas History, Pandemic

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General Sam Houston | Texas History Tangent | James Anderson on Sam Houston: The Tremont Hotel Balcony, Texas Joining the Confederacy, and Yellow Fever Mar 30, 2022

Show notes

📍Visit our interactive map!
Enjoy this content? Buy me a book! 📚
📱Social and other ways to explore Texas History
Bonus episode:
James Anderson is the author of Galveston Burning: A History of the Fire Department and Major Conflagrations. During our soundcheck, I find out that James is a huge fan of Sam Houston. We discuss many aspects of his life after the battle of San Jacinto. Did you know that Sam Houston gave a speech from the balcony from the Tremont Hotel?
👂Listen to the full conversation with James on Spotify
Buy Galveston Burning: A history of the Fire Department and major conflagrations
Join James on a tour of Galveston at Lantern light tours! https://lanternlightgalveston.com/
Sam Houston
Margaret Houston
Nancy Moffette Lea
David G. Burnet
Sam Houston against Confederacy
Sam Houston kicked out of office
Steamboat House
Yellow Fever in Texas

Tour with Spotify:
👂Listen: The Great Fire of 1885
👂Listen: East End Historical District
👂Listen: Silk Stocking District
👂Listen: Port of Galveston
👂Listen: The Hendley Building
👂Listen: Lost Bayou Historic District
👂Listen: Texas Heroes Monument

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The Laffite Society & Dale Olson | Jean & Pierre Laffite: Privateers or Pirates? Why Galveston Island? Treasure is what you make it! Mar 23, 2022

Show notes

📍Visit our interactive map!
Enjoy this content? Buy me a book! 📚
📱Social and other ways to explore Texas History
Historic resources for everything we discuss in the episode: https://www.galvestonunscripted.com/lafitte-society-dale-dolson
Lafitte and/or Laffite are both accepted spelling
Dale Olson is the one of the founders of the Laffite Society, a technical music writer, if you have watched a Disney production anywhere from 1970-1990, you may have heard his trumpet playing somewhere in the movie or show! Dale was recognized as "Distinguished Alumnus" of the University of North Texas in 2014 , and has given approximately 50 lectures related to early Galveston history and the Laffites. Dale and I discuss the founding of the Laffite Society, Laffite's role in the War of 1812, how Jean and Pierre Laffite ended up in Galveston, their privateering operations in Louisiana and Texas, and the eventual demise of some of the most contentious characters in Texas, and American history!
Tour with Spotify:
👂Listen: Jean Lafitte and his role in Galveston
👂Listen: The Great Fire of 1885
👂Listen: East End Historical District
👂Listen: Port of Galveston
👂Listen: The Hendley Building
👂Listen: Lost Bayou Historic District
👂Listen: Texas Heroes Monument

Key words: Jean Lafitte, Pierre Lafitte, New Orleans, war of 1812, Galveston, Texas, Mason Rouge, pirates, privateer,

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Beach culture & Beach Patrol with President of the USLA: Chief Peter Davis | Evolving from a rag tag rescue boat to protecting 7+ Million Galveston beachgoers every year. Mar 06, 2022

Show notes

Chief Peter Davis is the President of the United States Lifeguarding Association, the Secretary General of Aquatics International, and Chief of Galveston Island Beach Patrol. He has been involved in Beach Safety, Surf Rescue, and development of water safety programs for over 30 years. Peter and I sat down and discussed the history of Galveston Beach Patrol, Beach Culture in Galveston, and general beach safety over the past century.
Tour with Spotify:
👂Listen: The Great Fire of 1885
👂Listen: East End Historical District
👂Listen: Silk Stocking District
👂Listen: Port of Galveston
👂Listen: The Hendley Building
👂Listen: Lost Bayou Historic District
👂Listen: Texas Heroes Monument

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Galveston Unscripted Digital Market

Galveston Burning | A conversation with James Anderson on the history of the Galveston fire department, major conflagrations, and the resiliency of this island city Feb 24, 2022

Show notes

Buy Galveston Burning: A history of the Fire Department and major conflagrations
📍Visit our interactive map!
Enjoy this content? Buy me a book! 📚
📱Social and other ways to explore Texas History
Historic resources for everything we discuss in the episode: https://www.galvestonunscripted.com/james-anderson-galveston-burning
James Anderson is an Author and student of history, and he joins Galveston Unscripted to discuss his new book, Galveston Burning! Inspired by ancestors who shared his lifelong passion for historical and genealogical research, James F. Anderson joined the Galveston Historical Foundation in 2009, becoming a House Chair of its Historic Homes Tour in 2013. James is currently an active member of the Texas State Historic Association and the Galveston Railroad Museum, as well as a certified tourism ambassador in Galveston.
Tour with Spotify:
👂Listen: The Great Fire of 1885
👂Listen: East End Historical District
👂Listen: Silk Stocking District
👂Listen: Port of Galveston
👂Listen: The Hendley Building
👂Listen: Lost Bayou Historic District
👂Listen: Texas Heroes Monument

Keywords: Fire Department, Galveston Burning, 1885 Fire, Beach Hotel, Bishop's palace,
Harmony Hall, Volunteer fire department, first paid fire department in Texas, Galveston History, Battle of Galveston, Texas History, Galveston History Podcast, synagogue, temple b'nai israel, causeway, 1900 storm, Unscripted, conversation, pirate, sandbar, United States of America,

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