Galveston: A History and a Guide

Fred Rider Cotten Popular History Series

De: David McComb

Narrado por: Caroline Miller

Indians! Pirates! Rebels! Blockade runners! Smugglers! Murder! Beaches! Beauty contests! Hurricanes!

These are all parts of the colorful history of an island city that once called itself The Free State of Galveston. Located at a natural harbor on the northeastern part of a 30-mile-long sand barrier island, the city dates its beginning to the end of the Texas Revolution. Before then the harbor had attracted Jean Lafitte, a pirate from Louisiana, and the revolutionary Texan government fleeing in front of the attack of Santa Anna's Mexican army.

After independence in 1836, Michel B. Menard, along with nine associates, bought the harbor property and founded the town. Galveston grew on the strength of the harbor - the best between New Orleans and Veracruz - and the city became a major entry point for immigrants to Texas. During the Civil War, it was a haven for Confederate blockade runners and the site of one of the major battles of the war in Texas. Afterward it was a center for occupation forces and the point from which Major-General Gordon Granger announced the emancipation of Texas' slaves on June 19, 1865 (Juneteenth Day). The city later became a major cotton port for the Southwest and the location of the University of Texas Medical School.

©2000 Texas State Historical Association (P)2015 Texas State Historical Association

Overall mediocre story.

This is a very abbreviated synopsis of Galveston‘s history. It was almost like she was reading from an outline. The narrator needs to understand how to pronounce peoples names like the Maceos Before reading a story.

Spelled "tarpon" pronounced "tarpen"

great overall, but the lady pronounces tarpon in an awkward way. This issue is really no big deal, its still a great summary.

Great introduction to Galveston

I am going to Galveston next weekend so I wanted a short but detailed introduction and this recording definitely delivers it.