The homes on the tour lineup look good, and I can’t wait for my annual visit to City Cemetery for the wildflower photos. Who knows, I may find Beaumont’s first mayor, Alexander Calder (c. 1806 – August 23, 1853). He is interred there, but the exact spot is a mystery. We have a photo of the broken headstone, but it was lying on the ground and may have been covered by the foliage. I mention this because a friend and fellow researcher has been trying to find all the mayors of Beaumont. I have no problem spending a bit more time walking through the Indian paintbrushes and black-eyed Susans. Trust me, the site is worth the visit, and please bring your camera with you.
I’m sure that most of you who are interested in this tour will have heard about the George Ball House fire. It is devastating for Galveston’s history. Even worse, someone died from the injuries they sustained in this tragedy. I won’t get into this more because there is an ongoing investigation, as there should be. I didn’t know the owners and hadn’t visited the house. All the same, here is a bit of history about the George Ball House.
The George Ball House was constructed in 1857 by the prominent Galveston businessman and philanthropist George Ball (1817–1884). Originally located at the northwest corner of 23rd and Sealy Streets, the house was built using sturdy pine timbers shipped from Maine, reflecting Ball’s wealth and the ambitions of mid-19th-century Galveston. In 1902, to accommodate the construction of the Rosenberg Library, the house was relocated six blocks south to its current site on 24th Street, in the Silk Stocking historic district. During the move, the house was divided. The rear section became a separate residence at 1401 24th Street; by 1903, a third house was added at 1411 24th Street, forming a remarkable architectural trio. The George Ball House was recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1962 and featured in the Galveston Historical Foundation’s Homes Tour in 1977.
Under a bright spring sky on Saturday, members of the community gathered to witness the unveiling of a new marker designating Pear Orchard as a historic cemetery. During the ceremony, speakers also highlighted the recent discovery of six Buffalo Soldiers buried at the site — one from the 9th Cavalry, four from the 24th Infantry, and another from the 25th Infantry. The event served as both a celebration of local heritage and a solemn recognition of the individuals who served with honor.
The dedication ceremony was the result of ongoing research and planning by Historic Sacred Spaces, a nonprofit organization “dedicated to preserving, protecting, and honoring Military Veteran and historic resting spaces and graveyards, both marked and unmarked,” according to their Facebook page. Their efforts not only bring attention to Pear Orchard Cemetery, but also to Nona, Blanchette, and Haven of Rest cemeteries. If you would like to join, volunteer, donate, or learn more about Historic Sacred Spaces, I have included a link at the bottom of this blog.
Now, I’m going to get into something that has nothing to do with Southeast Texas history. It’s something that irritates me more than when Hormel discontinued Little Sizzlers. I want to talk about Oscar Myer’s discontinuation of Olive and Pickle Loaf. I damn them to the nether regions (I’m channeling Kate Dorman here). Yes, this is a big problem for me because I’m not a torta-de-jamón person. Ham and cheese sandwiches are not my go-to. Ask my doctor! She would just tell you I’m a lost case.
Like a junkie, I get my fix from an undisclosed source (we’ll call him Henry Butt, though I call him Harry because I’m nine)—not the Eckerd over-the-counter type, but the Usinger’s brand from the deli. I accumulate Olive and Pickle Loaves like I accumulate Bitcoins or gold. It is an addiction. I’ve always been addicted to olives. It’s probably my 24 percent Spanish heritage—I have never understood what Spaniards eat besides olives.
I will have a blog on Friday about what to do on the Galveston Historic Homes Tour. It will be about the dos and don’ts of the tour. Until next week.
Galveston Historic Homes Tour:
Kate Dorman:
http://www.wtblock.com/catherin.htm
George Ball House:
Historic Sacred Spaces:
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