My interest in SETX history is vast, but I do have my favorite topics. Of course, Florence Stratton comes to mind. I’m sure no one is surprised about this since I bring her up during most of my ramblings. I have been researching her and her family since 2012, and I have a good database by now. Truth be told, that database is already in the hands of a few friends should I eat too many Zummo sausages and become an ex-parrot. (Monty Python was the best!) I’ve got to admit that Zummo’s party time links are the best if I can’t get to Billie Joe’s BBQ for their links, which I grew up eating. My doctor, a native of the state of New York, is not so positive about local sausages because she grew up eating those made from the recipes of actual German immigrants, but we have the same view on kolaches. Pigs in a blanket are NOT kolaches. Kolaches are also pastries in the old country. I’ll move on before my cholesterol rises.
Two of my main interests besides Florence are the Sabine Lighthouse and the interurban. I first saw the lighthouse in the 1980s while fishing with friends. I was impressed that we had something like this in our area. Yes, technically, it is in Southwest Louisiana, but we still claim it as part of our history. There is a group trying to preserve this treasure. I will leave the link at the bottom of the page. The interurban is something that I learned about in 2012 when I joined the Jefferson County Historical Commission. My friend Jerry Burnett and I would talk about this regularly instead of doing what I was there for—renewing my insurance. He was a train guy and also loved to reminisce about Port Arthur’s history. I miss him.
On my website, I usually write about people who are not well known. I enjoy diving into the history of those who are not on the social media pages of our area’s museums historical houses. These people still have something to add to our understanding of ourselves. Also, I don’t write about musicians much unless it’s the Rowleys, in which case I’ll fly that flag, because it’s a forgotten story. There is no museum or city propping them up like every other musician, and I get it. What I don’t get is Groves, Texas, adding the name “ZZ Top” on their water tower. ZZ Top was NOT from Groves, Texas. Yes, they played one gig in Groves, but didn’t they also play a high school prom in Little Cypress? They were from Houston! If you want to leave a rebuttal, come with facts.
I’ll also stand behind Blind Willie Johnson’s music because it is currently flying through the outer regions of the solar system on the Voyager spacecraft, along with Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven. I think this is impressive, and the backstory is also notable. The blues pioneer signed a contract with a major record label in 1927, but he died penniless and lived his last six months in a half-burned-out house. He influenced many British blues bands. Also, Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, and Peter, Paul, and Mary covered his songs.
I like all kinds of music. The music of Harry James’s era is great, and I will say that I enjoyed the Night & Day Orchestra back in 2014, when they played for the Beaumont Heritage Society’s “fundraiser.” I even have a video. It was the first time I photographed an event like that, and I was showing solidarity with my cohort from KFDM News—at least with regard to the khaki clothing. No black tie for us. Also, no alcohol and no food, but that was my decision. And “It Was Five O’Clock Somewhere” when I arrived home.
Back in 2013 and 2014, the Liberty County Historical Commission (LCHC) held a fundraiser of their own called Whispers from the Past. They did a fantastic job of bringing Liberty County’s history to life through a cemetery tour during which the members dressed in period clothing and portrayed their characters perfectly. I wrote about these events and will leave a link to the article, plus links to some photos, at the bottom of the blog.
As I’ve said before, our Magnolia Cemetery tours were born thanks to this event. I give full credit to the LCHC for inspiring us to bring something similar to Magnolia Cemetery. Our first event was a walking tour with the docents of the McFaddin-Ward House. We did a few Heritage Happy Hours with the Beaumont Heritage Society, but we ended the events after Hurricane Harvey. With a new board and management at the cemetery, the tour was brought back in 2021 as the Historic Magnolia Cemetery Tour. One thing about these events was bringing Beaumont’s history back to life together with the characters that were part of it.
Today, the tour is similar to what the LCHC did but without the period clothing (although Kate Beavers wore such clothing while presenting Caroline Hinchee). Personally, I refuse to wear Miss Catherina Jeanette Stengele’s period hats or Florence’s attire (not that I could actually fit in her clothes—I digress). But we do have presenters who know their subjects, and that’s a good thing.
Speaking of the Historic Magnolia Cemetery Tour, it’s the weekend, and I need to work on the tour preparations. But before I leave, I want to recommend this week’s Bayoulands podcast with Katharine Leister from the Tyrrell Historical Library. They talk about the history of the library and its many resources, as well as Leister’s research on the history of Pleasure Island. They even mention the Stringbean! I hope to dive into the Stringbean Trolley next week.
Until next time.
Ex-parrot: https://youtu.be/vZw35VUBdzo
Sabine Lighthouse: https://www.rediscoveringsetx.com/2012/12/11/sabine-lighthouse/
Cameron Preservation Alliance: https://www.facebook.com/SabinePassLighthouse/
The Rowley Trio: https://www.rediscoveringsetx.com/2017/04/11/the-rowley-trio/
Blind Willie Johnson: https://www.rediscoveringsetx.com/2012/08/23/blind-willie-johnson/
Voyager Space Probe: https://sclsnj.org/a-song-for-the-cosmos-blind-willie-johnson-and-the-voyagers-golden-record-by-jan-lower-illustrated-by-gary-kelly/
Day and Night Orchestra (2014): https://fb.watch/lOXquF6yUG/
https://www.facebook.com/TheNightDayOrchestra
Whispers from the Past (2013):
Article: https://www.rediscoveringsetx.com/2013/11/06/whispers-from-liberty-county/
Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsjLufFaP
Whispers from the Past (2014):
Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHsk5BkJk1
Bayoulands Talks
Katharine Leister: Tyrrell Historical Library/Pleasure Island History:
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