March 18, 2022 Galveston Island Texas…read more Went to an event that was sponsored by the Villa but was put on by "Rockstar Beer Festivals" We sat at a sold out show for about an hour 15 minutes. We listened to the narrator tell us ghost stories about the owners of Ashton Villa and other well knowns while we sipped cocktails (not one craft beer though which there is plenty of local breweries here) They "tried" to make it like the ghosts were present in the home, but, that was funny not haunted. We stayed in the big banquet room the entire time; we never toured the home (I've seen this home before but, I'm sure others had not, my friend included) C'mon, now if you're during a haunted ghost story event in a beautiful 3 story "historical" home that's a survivor of the 1900 storm that wiped out this island...you gotta move around and see the place. Disappointed. The drinks were very tasty. The crew was nice. The narrator was a good story teller AND he hammered a 6 inch nail into his nose, besides the awesome location, these were the best parts. For $46...and a BIG emphasis on tipping, it wasn't worth it. 5 STARS for the location. 3 for the event.

I grew up coming here and as an adult went to a few weddings. Today I went to celebrate Juneteenth…read morebecause it began in Galveston and this is where General Gordon Granger read off the proclamation for the emancipation of the slaves. As Ashton Villa was the site of the reading, it holds a special place in history. I am proud of this beautiful home in my wonderful hometown.

Ten years after Hurricane Ike in 2008, there is still no progress on site along Seawall Blvd across…read morefrom Hotel Galvez ... my heart aches looking out from my hotel room window to the empty space that once held one of the most amazing historic and haunted buildings that I ever stepped into. I was lucky enough to make my way to the Balinese twice. I happened to be at Mardi Gras 2003 with the band Thin Lizzy. I walked around The Strand and picked up a local paper. I saw an ad for the Balinese and got way excited. I told my partner in crime that we "HAD TO GO"... so after TL hit the road, we headed over there till closing time. OMG! No words can actually describe how I felt being there as I am a sensitive person. I felt the pure awesomeness of this building. I remember taking trips to Galveston in the past as a child to young adult and it was always closed... so to be able to walk into those doors, it was like stepping into a time capsule from the 40s. I spent so much time just walking along the walls snooping into every room and every corner that I could. There were pictures of the Balinese heyday with all the celebrities that crossed that very same threshold that I did. The gambling tables were in the back room hanging on the wall as decoration. The paintings and palm trees in the grand ballroom were all original to the building. Right then and there I swore if I ever won the lottery... I'm hosting a party with ZZ Top @ Balinese Room! I found myself back at the Balinese two years later doing the exact same thing... just walking around in awe. I haven't returned to Galveston since a cruise in Dec 2005, so this trip is so bittersweet. I came to visit the Tall Ships Galveston festival but I knew that meant that I would need to face my broken heart head on. I took a walk over and sat on the bench that holds up the arches on the Seawall of what is all that is left of the Balinese Room. I opened up a spirit box app. If ghosts still walk through house doors that are no longer there, they are probably still walking in the space they previously occupied along the pier that was no longer there. I should have read Ryan M. reviews more closely before I did this to plan to sit on the Seawall for at least an hour or more, which I did not. Although the short time I did sit there this is what I heard: "born" "from", so I asked "where are you born from?"... after a few minutes I get "slightly" while at the same time I was thinking how windy it was out there. They were joking with me as it was way more than slightly. Lol. Originally opened as Chop Suey about a hundred years ago, the Balinese Room history is a perfect story for the movies and songs... please take some time to read the links for more info... http://balineseroom.net/ https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Balinese-Room-resurrection-is-in-the-works-5332958.php?cmpid=btfpm&t=9b4692aa2ac3f0c8a9#photo-4961006 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balinese_Room "The Balinese Room was a famous nightclub in Galveston, Texas, built on a pier stretching 600 feet from the Galveston Seawall over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. For decades a dance hall and illegal casino, (sat empty for nearly 20 years), Balinese Room was remodeled and reopened in 2001. Operated by Sicilian immigrant barbers-turned-bootleggers Sam and Rosario Maceo, the Balinese Room was an elite spot in the 1940-50s, featuring entertainment by Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, George Burns, The Marx Brothers and other top acts of the day. Patrons of the private club included Howard Hughes, Sophie Tucker and wealthy oil barons from nearby Houston. In 1997, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. During the early morning hours of September 13, 2008, the structure was completely destroyed by Hurricane Ike. The Balinese is featured in pop culture; Rock group ZZ Top wrote and performed a song about the club called, "Balinese."" Hit the play button: Deep in the South of Texas Not so long ago, There on a crowded island In the Gulf of Mexico It didn't take too much money, Man, but it sure was nice. You could dance all night if you felt all right, Drinking whiskey and throwing dice. And everybody knows It was hard to leave. And everybody knows It was down at the Balinese. There are as many stories of who created the Margarita. I like the version I learned on my first visit... Santos Cruz, the head bartender at the legendary Balinese Room in Galveston, concocted the Margarita in 1948 in honor of singer Peggy Lee. He named it after the Spanish version of Peggy, which is Margarita. A true Margarita is equal parts tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice. Attorney Scott Arnold has "The Balinese Room Pier", a restaurant, club and retail complex formerly located on historic pier for sale. Although it was completely destroyed by Ike, there is the remaining land lease (50 year term), which includes the right to rebuild, the Balinese Room brand name and trade dress. Review #400

The once proud and historic Balinese Room is no more but according to the owners - they will…read morerebuild. As I am sure you know, the Balinese Room Pier was completely destroyed by Hurricane Ike on Saturday, September 13, 2008. Her remains were located mostly on Seawall Boulevard, mixed with the wreckage of the neighboring Murdoch's and Hooter's piers, in a pile of debris as wide as the Seawall and stretching for several blocks. I have received dozens of emails, texts and phone calls expressing heartfelt condolences. So many people have taken this as a personal loss, as of course, it is. Thank all of you for your kind thoughts and wishes. One particularly eloquent email was received from Casey Smith, and I think it expresses so well what I have heard from so many of you: I am so sorry for what has happened. I have been to the Balinese Room many, many times and you have always made me feel welcome. I went to the Balinese Room right after you opened and have watched you rebuild and make it a beautiful place. Only those who walked the Balinese Room will ever know what it was like and how it made us feel, as if we were in a different time and as if we were in the presence of all those who have entertained and visited years ago. My heart goes out to you for believing in the Balinese Room. We will never forget the Balinese Room. Sincerely, Casey Smith Gun Barrel City, Texas Thanks to Casey and each of you. Luckily, there is some insurance in place which will help mitigate the financial loss. Of course, we remain at the mercy of the insurance companies and hopefully they will be fair. I do retain the rights to rebuild at the site. Economically, that is impossible but I will entertain realistic proposals from serious investors. Luckily, I have retained copies of many of the photos and other framed artifacts formerly located at the Balinese. A Texas Historical Commission representative is currently sifting the wreckage for any remaining architectural salvage. I am contemplating re-creating a much smaller Balinese Room themed club and "museum" at a building I own on Market Street near the Strand, or at some other location. Our email is balineseroom@sbcglobal.net. Please feel free to email us personal pictures, stories, etc from the Balinese. I want to continue to archive the history of the Balinese, and help preserve the legend for the future. I would particularly like to hear from any eyewitnesses to the actual slide into the ocean. My phone is 713 227 6653. We have heard that there was some removal of artifacts from the debris. If you know of anything that was recovered, please let us know. The City of Galveston has been helpful in protecting these items. You may also contact Lori Schwarz with the City at shwarzlor@cityof galveston if you know of any such removal. Googling "balinese room ike" will yield many links to national, international and local news coverage about the Pier and its destruction. There is a nice story by National Public Radio at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94729672 CNN, Geraldo Rivera and others have shared the Balinese Room story with the whole country. As Casey Smith reminds us "we will never forget the Balinese Room" Please be assured that , with your help, the story of the Balinese will live on. Sincerely, Scott Arnold Owner Balinese Room

Sitting in the middle of Broadway at the intersection of 23rd St. also known as Tremont Street…read moreyou'll find this World War II memorial. It basically lists those who lived in the Galveston County area who lost their lives during the war. Also accompanying this memorial are two benches that sit out front dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Korean conflict. Located directly across the street is a monument to the 10 Commandments that was constructed in 1957.

This beautiful church stands tall and is one of the more historical churches on Galveston Island…read more There is a small parking lot and there is street parking on neighboring streets. The larger marker reads, "Trustees of the Methodist Church purchased this lot in 1848 as a worship site for Black slaves. Meetings were held outdoors until a building was erected in 1863. At the end of the Civil War (1865), ownership of the property was transferred to the recently-freed Blacks, who organized the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Texas. It was later named in honor of the Rev. Houston Reedy of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who served as the first pastor. The church survived several natural disasters, beginning in 1875, when the sanctuary was damaged in a storm. It was destroyed in 1885 by a fire that burned a large area of the city. Finished in 1887, the present structure was restored after the destructive hurricane of 1900 and repaired again in 1947 and 1957. More than 30 ministers have served the congregation including the Rev. J.E. Edwards, the Rev. Josiah Armstrong, the Rev. M.D. Moody, The Rev. W.R. Beamer, the Rev Louis H. Reynolds, the Rev. A.I. Henley, the Rev. R.C. Walker, the Rev. Erford Barker, the Rev. C.B. Bryant, and The Rev. Sylvester I. Green. Many of Galveston's prominent Black citizens have been members of Reedy Chapel A.M.E. Church. Today the fellowship includes several descendants of the original founders." The building was secured when I was here on a weekday evening, so I was unable to see the interior. [Review 881 of 2024 - 636 in Texas - 21910 overall]

June 8, 2021 One of…read morethe many historical churches on the island. It's very unique because it's an African "Methodist/Episcopal" church! A 2-for one...which I've never known of that before. Church dates back to 1848 when black slaves were given the land where the church resides. After slavery ended in Texas this church acted as a school educating freed men/women. It endured the storm of 1900 but the original building was destroyed in a fire in 1885. Point of reference Church is off Broadway between 20-21st and next door to RCC resale FYI Every year (to date) people celebrate Juneteenth here

Sept 16th, 2022 My…read morefirst time here. I came for an appreciation dinner for the volunteers of the historical foundation It's a nice BIG open space with pretty landscaping.

One of my absolute favorite pieces of Galveston architecture, of which there are many. Garten…read moreVerein and the surrounding old city neighborhood is joyous driving, biking or strolling.

Beautiful day for a picnic! The home is gorgeous, but wasn't open to visit. The picnic benches…read moredidn't require the blanket I packed, but it was such a pleasant day for a picnic and the weather was awesome. The grounds are well kept and there are a few swings for the little ones. A pleasant day overall.

This park sits almost halfway between Seawall Boulevard and Broadway Street on 27th St. It sits…read moresurrounded by local residential homes and the Holy Family Catholic school directly across the street. The 3-4 acre property has quite a large number of very well manicured old oak trees with just a few palms. There is a very nice gravel path that runs along the fenced perimeter. There are also numerous benches and uncovered picnic tables along with a fountain to drink from, but no grills. You can park along the street or choose the parking lot located on Avenue O. In the parking lot is a home designated as a Galveston landmark, which appears to be available for special occasions such as weddings. At the rear of the house sits the park and a pagoda, which is perfect for weddings. Definitely a very nice park to sit and relax in, and a very nice asset to the local community.

This beautiful home belonged to Frank Davison (1855-1935) when he was hired by the Texas City…read moreImprovement Company to be the resident manager. The house was completed in 1897. The house has survived a number of storms and hurricanes but was actually damaged the most by the 1947 chemical explosion. It is open to the public on the first Sunday of most months from 2 PM to 4 PM. That wasn't today, unfortunately. [Review 866 of 2024 - 621 in Texas - 21896 overall]

Very beautiful and interesting little tour. Ladies were friendly, knowledgeable, and interesting…read more The tour included only the one large house but looking forward to seeing the remaining 3 smaller houses when they open for a tour the second Sunday in Dec.( it'll be a holiday type tour). Well worth the price. Thank you.

Located in Hendley Green Park, this marker tells the story of an organization dedicated to…read morepreserving history for us, posterity. I'm thankful for their efforts. The marker reads, "In 1871, twelve men formed the Galveston Historical Society to preserve the history of Texas by collecting important documents. The group and its archive grew, but in 1880, the secretary died, telling no one where to find the collection. In 1885, the Society found it and placed it in the care of Phillip C. Tucker, Jr., and his son. Interest in the group waned, but in 1894, new energy led to its reorganization as the Texas Historical Society. New members included Rabbi Henry Cohen and Elbridge G. Littlejohn, as well as several women. They began storing the collection, most of which had been salvaged after Galveston's tragic 1900 storm, at the Rosenberg Library in 1906. In 1931, they gave the library full ownership. "After several inactive years, the Society was resurrected in 1942 under its old name and turned to preserving historic landmarks, publishing a booklet in 1951 of the island's significant homes. In 1954, one of those homes, the 1830s Williams-Tucker House, was threatened. The Society, unable by its charter to acquire property, formed a new group, the Galveston Historical Foundation, which purchased the home and restored it. In 1958, the two groups merged as the Galveston Historical Foundation. Over the next 50 years, the group saved buildings and helped establish historic districts, including The Strand, one of the largest extant Victorian business districts in the South. "After celebrating its 130th year in 2001, the nationally acclaimed foundation continues its leadership role in revitalization, museum operation, education, property management and preservation advocacy." This is marker number 13717 and it was erected in 2006 by the Texas Historical Commission. Check it out when you're in Galveston. [Review 872 of 2024 - 627 in Texas - 21901 overall]

We were in the Galveston Historical District today, and dropped in at the Visitors Center for some…read moreinfo on the area. The young lady there couldn't have been more helpful. Simply marvelous!