Meteorologist here and big fan of the channel! One thing that often gets lost in the 1900 storm story is that the actual landfall location was closer to Freeport. This obviously puts Galveston on the dirty side of the storm which is what made the storm surge so bad. But technically speaking, the right quadrant eyewall of the storm (the strongest part of the storm) may have been situation just south and east of downtown Galveston. This would make sense given that the peak wind gusts in Galveston were estimated to be ~120 MPH. In the eyewall, those gusts would have been closer to 150-160 MPH! But in South Galveston, the full fury of the right front eyewall was experienced. So the surge could have been a little higher while the winds were likely gusting much higher. That little developing town had no chance.
The streets always flooded during heavy rains. People actually used doors for rafts when making deliveries to homes. With no seawall and as low as it was it didn't stand a chance when that storm came in.
Wow. I've lived in the Houston area most of my 60+ years, been to Galveston probably hundreds of times and I never knew this. I love the state park because it's rarely crowded and I'm with you. I'm kind of glad South Galveston failed and the wild has a safe place.
Growing up in the east end of Houston, I spent many days at Galveston....young with family, high school years with my best buds, and later...married with my wife.....and later yet....walking the Strand with my own kids, visiting King's and other neat shops. The west end is so lovely and the beaches are much less crowded. These days, I enjoy watching Restoring Galveston. Michael and Ashley Cordray are making Galveston more beautiful...one house as a time. They truly love the community and invest a lot of time, money, and "sweat equity" into doing so.
We used to camp on the beach back in the mid 1970's. There were so many people camping! And no one got shot or stabbed!! No fights, just enjoying the freedom and the beach.
I'd cruise up and down that beach area where the tents were quite often, though my own tent was set up at the East Beach Travel Park where I would go to town and buy supermarket watermelons and sell them by the slice on the hot beach, sodas if I had enough money to buy them too. I'd sell out in about an hour, then go back to the store for more. It's how I paid for my rent space. I quit because I grew tired on the hot sun and constantly blowing sand.
What west beach are you going to now lmao, I go there all the time to fish an camp. never bothered, i have precautions, but i do everywhere, go camp out there again, no issues with me
My family has a story about the 1900 flood. My grandmother was a teacher at the time. I don’t know if she was married yet or not. She was teaching in a schoolhouse when the flood occurred, and the school house lifted on its pilings, one of the pilings held, and the school house pivoted on it while it floated. I don’t know how long they were in the schoolhouse before they were rescued. But I do know supposedly a ham floated by. And the ham along with flour used for glue paste. She contrived some type of meal for the kids. Her married name was Sarah m. Hetrick. Her unmarried name was Sarah m. Hancock. I wonder if that story made the news
I grew up in Galveston in the 40's, 50's and 60's. There wasn't much down the island at that time. A few houses, Scharper's dairy, a country club. The island has changed so much it no longer feels even slightly like a place I knew. I bet that west end of the island is below sea level in places. I know there are places on the east end on the east side of the ferry road that are below sea level. My husband worked for the City of Galveston surveying. The seawall stopped at 61rst street and the beach had a few and far between ice houses and nothing else.
I grew up in galveston county and worked on the island back in 2012 for the railroad. It always amazed me seeing old road beds and just the overall history of the island. Thanks for the video
When my family built a place in Jamaica Beach in the '50s, everyone considered it a weekend fishing camp. Virtually NOBODY had a full-time residence down there (or any place west of 61st St. for that matter) because storms like 1900 and 1915 were still within living memory. It's stunning to me how rapidly and extensively that area has developed, even with devastating storms like Alicia and Ike in the relatively recent past. I have no clue how folks find insurance for some of the mansions that are down there now!
I never knew this planned development existed. Outstanding work, mate! When watching your Galveston Island State Park footage, I reflected on how I miss the Outdoor Musical Theater that was located on the West End previously. Good memories of attending musicals there as a youth and adult. Cheers.
I see that the pond you were showing at the Jenkins trail head is perfectly round if that was where the fountain was located. I'm not sure what the squares in the water north of that location are or if they were remnants of old South Galveston. I'm certain that area was scoured by the 1900 storm and any buildings washed away. Thanks and enjoying the history of my hometown.
The houses that are on 11 mi rd, on the beach side of 3005 are called "Nottingham Campsite" on the platt/survey because that was where the workers of the Nottingham factory apparently lived. I have not seriously looked for it, but I read somewhere there is still some of the railway around the Pirates Cove/12 mi rd area.
the far west end was still fairly empty in the early 6's when we would go there when I was a kid.There was a ruined Coast Guard house,a few beaten up bait camps,a large cattle ranch,that was about it.I guess the ranch is gone now
Meteorologist here and big fan of the channel! One thing that often gets lost in the 1900 storm story is that the actual landfall location was closer to Freeport. This obviously puts Galveston on the dirty side of the storm which is what made the storm surge so bad. But technically speaking, the right quadrant eyewall of the storm (the strongest part of the storm) may have been situation just south and east of downtown Galveston. This would make sense given that the peak wind gusts in Galveston were estimated to be ~120 MPH. In the eyewall, those gusts would have been closer to 150-160 MPH! But in South Galveston, the full fury of the right front eyewall was experienced. So the surge could have been a little higher while the winds were likely gusting much higher. That little developing town had no chance.
Wow! Thanks for this comment and insight! That would be INSANE to to experience or even be near. You’re right. No chance at all.
The streets always flooded during heavy rains. People actually used doors for rafts when making deliveries to homes. With no seawall and as low as it was it didn't stand a chance when that storm came in.
Galveston Island State Park is certainly one of the most overlooked places to visit on the island. Great video!
You should do a video on the lost city of San Luis Island.
Wow. I've lived in the Houston area most of my 60+ years, been to Galveston probably hundreds of times and I never knew this. I love the state park because it's rarely crowded and I'm with you. I'm kind of glad South Galveston failed and the wild has a safe place.
Growing up in the east end of Houston, I spent many days at Galveston....young with family, high school years with my best buds, and later...married with my wife.....and later yet....walking the Strand with my own kids, visiting King's and other neat shops. The west end is so lovely and the beaches are much less crowded.
These days, I enjoy watching Restoring Galveston. Michael and Ashley Cordray are making Galveston more beautiful...one house as a time. They truly love the community and invest a lot of time, money, and "sweat equity" into doing so.
Very interesting, thank you!
Thanks for watching!
We used to camp on the beach back in the mid 1970's. There were so many people camping! And no one got shot or stabbed!! No fights, just enjoying the freedom and the beach.
I'd cruise up and down that beach area where the tents were quite often, though my own tent was set up at the East Beach Travel Park where I would go to town and buy supermarket watermelons and sell them by the slice on the hot beach, sodas if I had enough money to buy them too. I'd sell out in about an hour, then go back to the store for more. It's how I paid for my rent space. I quit because I grew tired on the hot sun and constantly blowing sand.
What west beach are you going to now lmao, I go there all the time to fish an camp. never bothered, i have precautions, but i do everywhere, go camp out there again, no issues with me
@@ItsSwiftyFr I don't go at all anymore.
Aren’t the mid 70s when the Candy Man was hiding bodies in Galveston?
@@djb1634 he buried bodies at High Island. You have to take a 20 minute ferry ride from Crystal Beach High Island across to Galveston Island.
My family has a story about the 1900 flood. My grandmother was a teacher at the time. I don’t know if she was married yet or not. She was teaching in a schoolhouse when the flood occurred, and the school house lifted on its pilings, one of the pilings held, and the school house pivoted on it while it floated. I don’t know how long they were in the schoolhouse before they were rescued. But I do know supposedly a ham floated by. And the ham along with flour used for glue paste. She contrived some type of meal for the kids. Her married name was Sarah m. Hetrick. Her unmarried name was Sarah m. Hancock. I wonder if that story made the news
I grew up in Galveston in the 40's, 50's and 60's. There wasn't much down the island at that time. A few houses, Scharper's dairy, a country club. The island has changed so much it no longer feels even slightly like a place I knew. I bet that west end of the island is below sea level in places. I know there are places on the east end on the east side of the ferry road that are below sea level. My husband worked for the City of Galveston surveying.
The seawall stopped at 61rst street and the beach had a few and far between ice houses and nothing else.
I grew up in galveston county and worked on the island back in 2012 for the railroad. It always amazed me seeing old road beds and just the overall history of the island. Thanks for the video
Thanks for watching. Appreciate the comment!
Great video! I loved watching this!
Thanks for watching!!!
When my family built a place in Jamaica Beach in the '50s, everyone considered it a weekend fishing camp. Virtually NOBODY had a full-time residence down there (or any place west of 61st St. for that matter) because storms like 1900 and 1915 were still within living memory. It's stunning to me how rapidly and extensively that area has developed, even with devastating storms like Alicia and Ike in the relatively recent past. I have no clue how folks find insurance for some of the mansions that are down there now!
Like Bolivar....we had a beach house there that was built in the 50's.
I never knew this planned development existed. Outstanding work, mate! When watching your Galveston Island State Park footage, I reflected on how I miss the Outdoor Musical Theater that was located on the West End previously. Good memories of attending musicals there as a youth and adult. Cheers.
Thanks for watching bro! Thanks! I remember going out there when I was a kid! Awesome spot!!
Excellent work....I had no idea....
Great vid and great channel! I live in Jamaica Beach and have never heard of South Galveston. I really enjoy all the amazing research you are sharing.
Thanks for watching!!! I’m so glad you are finding some value in these videos!
Great research! You taught me something that I didn’t know and I spent every summer vacation in the 60’s and 70’s there.
Thanks for watching!!!
My family has a long history in Galveston. Love the island.
Thanks for watching the channel!!
Do you have a link to view the awesome map finds you show in your video?
I see that the pond you were showing at the Jenkins trail head is perfectly round if that was where the fountain was located. I'm not sure what the squares in the water north of that location are or if they were remnants of old South Galveston. I'm certain that area was scoured by the 1900 storm and any buildings washed away. Thanks and enjoying the history of my hometown.
Thanks so much for watching!!!
where is the playground located at 8:47? looks like a great place to visit.
That's Magic Carpet Mini Golf!
The houses that are on 11 mi rd, on the beach side of 3005 are called "Nottingham Campsite" on the platt/survey because that was where the workers of the Nottingham factory apparently lived. I have not seriously looked for it, but I read somewhere there is still some of the railway around the Pirates Cove/12 mi rd area.
Great video!
I worked at Model Dairy as a kid out on the west end
the far west end was still fairly empty in the early 6's when we would go there when I was a kid.There was a ruined Coast Guard house,a few beaten up bait camps,a large cattle ranch,that was about it.I guess the ranch is gone now
Good material. Get a drone, I'm sure the images will be really nice.
Thanks!
I didn’t fly at the state park during peak bird migration season.
This is one of the few videos where I haven’t used it lol
Who was the creepy dark figure behind you in two of the shots? It’s towed the end of the video.
I had the same thought: in a way, I am glad that the City did not develop.
Great content. I have been there, but didn't know the history. Thanks
Has there been any artifacts found there...Native American?
Thanks! Yes! Middens, and there is a well known burial site very close to the park. A neighborhood was built around it. Look up “Mitchell Ridge site”
Don't forget hurricane 🌀 Carla and Ike
Nice place to visit for a short stay only .........I'll live farther north at higher elevations where their are hills and forest. Great video .
Very interesting. Thank you! I ❤ Texas history.
With all the current growth going on in the area, it's within reason that South Galveston will rise again. Near the park of course.
Wasn't there a religious community based in the same area as South Galveston?
BTW - I skip videos when recorded with the sound of the wind more prominent than the subject of your video.
Lmao I’m so proud of you for sticking to your guns, but leaving a comment 😂