Dr. Andrew Torget (photo by Dianne Ace)
Dianne Ace
Galveston may be a popular Spring Break destination, but it also has a fascinating history. This was the subject of the March meeting of Voices United. Dr. Andrew Torget, a professor of history at the University of North Texas, spoke to the members about the improbable rise of Galveston from an abandoned sandbar in 1836 to its emergence as the most important port city in the American Southwest.
One of the earliest residents of Galveston was the pirate Jean Lafitte. He used the island as a base to raid Spanish merchant ships. It’s said that his treasure is still buried there. In 1836, the eastern part of the island was purchased by Canadian Michel B. Menard. He laid out the town and sold lots. By the end of that year, there were about 60 families living there, and it had over 100 buildings. Due to its natural deep water port, Galveston quickly grew to become the second wealthiest city in the United States in 1895. Twenty-four millionaires resided on the island. It became known as the Wall Street of the South. Then, in 1900, the most violent hurricane in American history destroyed Galveston. The highest spot on the island was nine feet, and the storm surge was 17 feet.This was the worst natural disaster in U.S. history with between six and eight thousand deaths. Galveston raised the city by eight feet and built a 17 foot seawall as part of its rebuilding efforts. However, the city was never able to replicate its previous financial success.
Voices United meets at 11 a.m. the first Saturday of the month in the Clubhouse. The next meeting is May 2.
Besides the monthly luncheon, the members have varied activities in which they can participate. They recently visited TWU to view the gowns of the Texas First Ladies. Members also went to the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth to see an exhibit of black photojournalism.
Voices United is a non-partisan group of Robson Ranch women who share progressive values, perform community outreach, provide civic awareness and social contact for members, and have a good time! We are a 501(c)(3) group. Our annual dues are $25.
For more information visit www.voicesunitedrr.org.