We explore the surprising maritime history of Texas cowboys who swam thousands of cattle across open saltwater to reach Galveston Island's rich grazing lands. This forgotten chapter reveals how the Texas Gulf Coast played a vital role in building the cattle economy that helped shape the state.

• Spanish and Mexican vaqueros created the original cowboy techniques that would become the foundation of Texas ranching culture
• Galveston Island's salt-tolerant grasses made it ideal winter pasture, with water naturally fencing in the cattle
• Cowboys literally swam herds across Galveston Bay, guiding thousands of cattle through the water
• Legendary cowboys like Sterling Spell performed extraordinary feats, including wrestling a 1,000-pound steer during a bay crossing
• Galveston's deep natural harbor and rail connections made it a crucial cattle export hub to Cuba, Central America, and Europe
• The Butler family's stockpens processed tens of thousands of cattle annually, including a Cuban shipment of 49,000 head
• Barbed wire and expanding railroads ended the era of open-range grazing and long cattle drives
• The Schaper family operated a dairy farm on Galveston's West End for nearly 90 years
• Coastal ranching contributed to industry innovations like dipping vats to combat Texas fever
• In 2011, Galveston facilitated the largest live cattle export in U.S. history, shipping over 5,500 pregnant heifers to Russia
• Though now primarily a vacation destination, Galveston's West End still contains traces of its cattle ranching heritage

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Samuel Collins III shares the untold story of Juneteenth, revealing how United States Colored Troops played a crucial but largely erased role in bringing freedom to Texas. He challenges common misconceptions and illuminates how Galveston's Black community grew after emancipation, creating businesses, schools, and generational legacies.

• The news of freedom wasn't actually late to Galveston but arrived as early as fall 1862 when Union forces first controlled the island
• United States Colored Troops made up 75% of soldiers in Texas after Juneteenth but have been intentionally excluded from historical narratives
• Galveston's Black population more than doubled after emancipation as people came to the island for economic opportunities
• Black dockworkers at Galveston's port earned equal pay to white workers, helping establish a thriving middle class
• Education was prioritized with schools established by September 1865, less than three months after emancipation
• Families like the Sculls created 160-year legacies of service and education that continue today
• Juneteenth has evolved from a Texas event to become a national holiday and worldwide celebration of freedom

Come to Galveston Island, the birthplace of Juneteenth, to truly understand this vital chapter in American history. As Samuel says, "it's like reading about swimming or watching a film on swimming. At some point you have to get in the water to learn to swim."

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The history of the Port of Galveston spans 200 years, from a sandbar with a safe natural harbor to becoming America's fourth busiest cruise port today, earning its place as Texas' oldest working port despite hurricanes, wars, and economic challenges.

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Two Sicilian barbers built an empire of vice, transforming Galveston into the "Free State" where prohibition laws and moral restrictions held no power for decades.

• Texas and national prohibition in the 1920s created a black market for liquor, gambling and prostitution
• Galveston's position on the Gulf of Mexico made it ideal for smuggling and vice operations
• Sicilian immigrants Rose and Sam Maceo rose from barbers to powerful underworld figures
• The Hollywood Dinner Club (1926) and Balinese Room (1942) became world-renowned entertainment venues
• The Maceos maintained order, invested in the community, and kept Galveston economically thriving during the Depression
• The Texas Rangers finally ended the era in 1957 with a brilliant strategy—simply sitting in establishments every night for 2.5 years

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Dr. Hal Needham, known as Hurricane Hal, shares his expertise on coastal ecosystems, weather patterns, and beach safety for visitors to Galveston Island. From explaining the science behind changing water colors to offering practical safety advice, Dr. Needham provides valuable insights for enjoying Gulf Coast beaches safely and appreciating their natural dynamics.

• Natural sargassum seaweed plays crucial role in marine ecosystems and helps build beaches by capturing sand
• Galveston's water changes color due to suspended sediment from shallow sandy bottoms and nearby rivers
• Rip currents pose the deadliest coastal hazard—stay calm and don't fight against them if caught
• Sunburn risk depends on shadow length, not temperature—visit beaches before 10:30am and after 5pm to avoid burns
• Hurricane season typically begins around August 11th, after most summer vacations conclude
• Barrier islands are dynamic formations that constantly evolve and change with natural forces

Follow Hurricane Hal on social media for non-hype weather forecasts and coastal science insights.

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The diamond-shaped plaques scattered throughout Galveston Island mark buildings that survived the devastating 1900 hurricane, America's deadliest natural disaster with up to 12,000 lives lost. These small markers represent structures that withstood catastrophic winds and flooding, serving as reminders of Galveston's remarkable resilience and recovery.

• Before 1900, Galveston was the "Wall Street of the Southwest" with numerous Texas firsts: post office, opera house, telephone, electric lights, medical college
• The hurricane struck on September 8, 1900, bringing 8-15 foot storm surges and 130+ mph winds that destroyed half the city
• Storm survivor plaques were created by the Galveston Historical Foundation in 2000 to commemorate the hurricane's centennial
• Buildings with plaques have been verified through historical records as having survived the catastrophic storm
• Fewer surviving buildings exist near the beachfront where damage was worst, with more found inland where debris formed a protective barrier
• Following the disaster, Galveston undertook massive engineering projects including the seawall and raising the island's elevation up to 17 feet
• Many surviving buildings were physically lifted or relocated during the grade-raising project between 1904-1910

To plan your own walk through Galveston's history and discover these remarkable survivor buildings, visit visitgalveston.com for resources, walking tours, and more information.

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Galveston Island has created its own unique surf culture, embracing the Gulf's inconsistent waves and even finding creative alternatives like tanker surfing. What started with lifeguards using rescue boards has evolved into a thriving community that values connection, rhythm, and the joy of riding waves on their own terms.

• Over 30 miles of beaches have attracted visitors to Galveston for more than a century
• Legendary lifeguard Leroy Colombo, deaf since childhood, saved over 900 lives and became an early Gulf Coast waterman
• Galveston's rock groins (jetties) create reliable surf breaks when conditions align
• Unique "tanker surfing" phenomenon allows rides up to five miles long on waves created by ships
• Local surf culture includes clubs, camps, and programs that pass knowledge to new generations
• The Texas Surf Museum preserves the history and stories of Gulf Coast surfing

Visit the Texas Surf Museum on Galveston Island to experience the evolution of board riding from ancient Hawaiian boards to Texas-built models and learn about local surf legends.

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Galveston Island's rich musical heritage produced three extraordinary African-American musicians who carried their island-inspired sounds to the world stage. Frederick Tillis, Louis "Blues Boy" Jones, and Richard "Notes" Williams all grew up in 1930s and 40s Galveston, where music spilled from dance halls, churches, and pavilions, shaping their musical identities before they ventured beyond the Gulf Coast.

• Frederick "Baby" Tillis (1930-2020) began performing at age 12, earned a PhD in music composition, and bridged jazz with classical music
• Tillis composed over 125 musical works, published 15 books of poetry, and devoted his life to mentoring young musicians
• Louis "Blues Boy" Jones (1931-1984) learned singing in church choirs before working at pioneering Black-owned Peacock Records
• Jones performed alongside Otis Redding and gained international recognition, though his legacy was nearly forgotten until his recordings resurfaced decades later
• Richard "Notes" Williams (1931-1985) mastered the trumpet and performed with jazz legends like Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus
• All three musicians served in the military during the Korean War period, with both Tillis and Williams directing military bands
• Their stories reveal how Galveston wasn't just a backdrop for music but a launchpad for extraordinary musical careers
• Galveston continues its musical tradition today through venues like Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe and the Grand 1894 Opera House

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