24.11.24 Jamaica Beach Galveston, Texas

 

We crossed into Texas Sunday November 24, 2024

This is a bridge....to nowhere?

Another bridge...I just thought this one was cool looking.

We made it to Jamaica Beach RV Resort

The roads (or narrow paths to be more accurate) to get to our site were a bit tight but Al is a master. Our site was nicer than expected with a private little lawn and patio. 

We went to the Galveston Visitor Center. Cheers to us! We figured out how to pay for parking! HA! We went to the harbor and saw cruise ships and we walked around historic buildings. 

This old cobblestone was everywhere. You definitely need to watch your step!

The architecture intrigued me. These steps were metal!

We drove around the Silk Stocking District. The Silk Stocking District is a National Register Historic District and one of the most well-preserved residential areas in Galveston from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The district's name comes from the wealth of its early residents, who could afford to buy silk stockings.

Here are a few of those homes...

We engaged the 4-wheel drive and drove Max on the beach. Marley walked on the beach, ran away from the waves and chased the birds. He needed a bath after!!! Sand was everywhere.

Went to Ocean Star Energy Museum. This place was information overload!

Drill bits for oil drilling.

A "basket" for men and supplies to be moved around the rig safely.

A rescue pod.

I diorama of an oil rig showing above the ocean surface and below.

An oil rig...so detailed I couldn't comprehend what all happens here. The cost...billions.

We walked along the Harbor

This eagle was made out of garbage collected out of the harbor.

We ate at Katies Seafood Market.

I had Skeeter’s Cajun Shrimp Pastalaya—fresh fettuccine pasta, creamy cheesy parmesan sauce, grilled shrimp and andouille sausage…SOOO GOOD!!!

Al had Fettuccine Alfredo & Boatload shrimp. Fresh home-made pasta tossed with shrimp, butter, cream, garlic, lemon herb pepper and lots of parmesan! Both dishes were topped with 8 more grilled jumbo shrimp!

On to Walmart...

We went to Bishop’s Palace

The 19,000 square foot, 50 room house was built from 1887 to 1892 for Colonel Walter Gresham and his wife Josephine, with whom he had nine children. An attorney and entrepreneur, Gresham came to Galveston from Virginia following his service in the Civil War.

Gorgeous!

Sacred Heart Church built in 1903-1904

There were huge pocket doors!

After Gresham's death, his wife sold the property. The Galveston-Houston Diocese of the Catholic Church purchased the Gresham House in 1923 for $40,500. "Gresham's Castle" then became Bishop's Palace and it served as a bishop's residence until 1963, renamed for the Most Reverend Bishop Christopher C. E. Byrne. 

The Diocese made a few changes such as one of the children's bedrooms was changed to the Bishops room, the first floor kitchen was expanded, a bedroom was turned into the chapel and stained glass windows were installed.

Ceiling painted by Josephine Gresham

This was the Bishop's bed. It was so narrow, it reminded me of the chiropractor bench or the doctor's office exam table.

The Bishop lived in the home until he died of a heart attack at age 82. He was so well-respected that 8,000 people attended his funeral.

The ceiling painting is of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John

There were many patios and the huge windows in the rooms slide up to create a doorway.

The gift shop

We went to the Galveston County Museum held inside the county courthouse. It was large and quite unexpected!

Visitors next to our campsite

We drove to to the end of Galveston Island and San Louis Beach and watched the sunset out over Pappy’s Point.

Click on my video below!

We will leave Galveston tomorrow, Sunday December 1, 2024, and have a long travel day before reaching Corpus Christi, Texas. Stay warm! (It's cooler, windier and more humid here than expected!)

A little extra research...

Below is a video about the Bishop's Palace by the Galveston Historical Society:

RED LIGHT DISTRICT IN GALVESTON

At its height there were 55 houses of prostitution on Post Office Street alone. 40,000 men a day came by the first electric train from Houston to drink, gamble and visit the houses. Prostitution drove the economy, shaped politics, and created the “Jewel of the South” or “Sin City” that brought presidents, including Lyndon B. Johnson who visited the district to “get lost for a while”, and entertainment headliners to pleasure island.

Galveston’s red-light district lasted for over 70 years as a uniquely successful industry because of the combination of social and economic conditions on the island. One of the factors that contributed to the longevity was the existence of The Mob who controlled the booze and gambling. Vice came in three; drinking, gambling and prostitution. The vices were tolerated on the island because it filled the hotels. 2% of the population worked directly for the mob, 20% worked indirectly.

SOILED DOVES

They came from all over the country because Galveston was where the money and the action was, but only the beautiful stayed because of the fierce competition. The “soiled doves” as they were known, sold love every 15 minutes. Those considered less attractive migrated to the Wild West.

The ladies paid rent and 40% commission of all fees to the Madams. They worked three weeks on and one week off. They would service sometimes up to 25 clients in a night, making up to $450 per week ($4,000 in today’s money). Constantly subjected to harassment by the police, venereal disease and violence, it was no easy life. Despite the high wages, suicide was prevalent, often as a result of drinking mercury to induce abortion. With advancing age they were required to move to the lower-end houses where the wages were reduced significantly.

THE MADAMS

Some of the most successful women in Galveston were the madams. Rising through the ranks, most were former prostitutes who saved their money for old age…25 years! They bought or leased houses and would only entertain certain visitors or distinguished guests in their private parlors. The madams had working relationships with the politicians, police, pimps and gangsters. Extremely shrewd, they could navigate their way through the myriad of demands placed upon them. Some retired as millionaires and took their place in “proper society”.