This is a cemetery that started in 1859 according to the Texas historical sign. I suggest you check…read moreout the photo of it below as it will give you more insight. This appears to be an active graveyard, as there are some recent burials here with plenty of surrounding space for more. There is a single pave lane that runs through the center of the property. As you would expect, there are many Freemason symbols on headstones, along with the graves of veterans from earlier wars. There are also many family plots ringed by concrete borders. The cemetery is relatively well cared for, but the noise of I 35 not far away detracts from the peace. Most of the people who are interred here have been long forgotten, but there are a handful of graves that receive some attention, and there are flags on the veterans graves. Plenty of photos included concerning this historical place.

[This is a review of the Hutchings, Sealy & Co. Historical Markers in Galveston, but Yelp moved it…read moreand renamed it. Maybe they fix it, maybe they don't.] One of the most haunted buildings in Galveston, or at least as much as I've read. This where the ghost of a schoolteacher who heroically pulled victims from the floodwaters during the great hurricane of 1900 roams the Strand. I didn't see it. The State marker here reads, "Four decades after joining in partnership, George Ball, John Henry Hutchings, and John Sealy employed prominent Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton to design office buildings for their Ball, Hutchings & Co. commission and banking operations. Built in 1895 as two individual but connected structures, these buildings complemented Galveston's Strand Avenue, known at the time as the "Wall Street of the Southwest." "The buildings' Renaissance revival style is represented by the heavily rusticated stone arches featured on its entryways, terra cotta detailing on the parapets and entablatures, evenly spaced columns and pilasters, elaborate stone cornice, and arcading windows. The foundation walls are six feet wide at the base and made of pressed brick with ashlar patterned sandstone facing. "The corner building, which features the name "Hutchings" on its entablature, was originally constructed for John H. Hutchings. The adjoining office building, featuring the name "Sealy" on its entablature, was built for John Sealy. These majestic buildings are reminders of a grand era in Galveston's history and the philanthropic legacy of these early businessmen." The second marker has a picture of the building on the back. The front reads, "This impressive building contains grey and pink granite, red Texas sandstone, and buff colored terra cotta. Designed in the Neo-Renaissance style by Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton, it was built in 1895 for the banking firm of Ball, Hutchings & Co. "Although the three-story building appears to be a single structure, it actually consists of two adjoining structures made to look like one. The corner structure housed the bank and the easterly building the offices. The two buildings are crowned by an elaborate stone cornice with the Lone Star medallion on panels of the entablature and with the dates 1854 and 1895 in the stonework. "Ball, Hutchings & Co. was established in 1854 with George Ball, John H. Hutchings, and John Sealy as partners. As bankers and dealers in wholesale dry goods, the firm was the first of its kind in Texas and its influence was felt throughout the state. In 1858, the assets and liabilities of the Samuel May Williams' Commercial and Agricultural Bank, the only chartered bank in Texas prior to the Civil War, were taken over by Ball, Hutchings & Co. "When the Federal blockade the port of Galveston during the Civil War, the firm moved to Houston for the duration of the war and from there carried on trade in cotton as a means to help the Confederacy. In 1867, George Sealy, younger brother of John Sealy, was made a partner in the firm. "The bank was reorganized in 1897 as Hutchings, Sealy & Co. After a merger in 1930 with the South Texas National Bank, the name of the bank was changed to the Hutchings-Sealy National Bank. And in 1958, after a merger with the First National Bank of Galveston, to First Hutchings-Sealy National Bank of Galveston. Based on these mergers, the bank has the distinction of being the oldest bank in Texas. In 1933, Hutchings-Sealy National Bank was moved to the Rosenberg Bank at 22nd and Market Streets. In 1956, a new building was constructed for the bank at 22nd and Market. In 1972, a ten story building was erected for the bank between 22nd, 23rd, Market and Mechanic Streets. American Indemnity Company was founded here in 1913 and occupied the building until 1958. After Hurricane Carla severely damaged its building in 1961, Ursuline Academy held classes here for several years. The bank has played an important role in Galveston's commercial history. George Ball, John H. Hutchings, John Sealy and George Sealy were influential in many industries including railroads, steamship lines, and the wharves. They were civic-minded men whose concern for the citizens of their city led them to establish and support hospitals, schools, and orphanages. "In 1985, George and Cynthia Mitchel began restoration of this landmark." [Review 879 of 2024 - 634 in Texas - 21908 overall]

You Don't Need to Go to Ellis Island to See the Statue of Liberty…read more.. Surprised to see a small replica of the Statue of Liberty in Austin. Apparently, the Boy Scouts of America created and installed over 200 copies of the Statue of Liberty across the United States between 1949 and 1951. Four were installed in Texas. Who knew?

This 1933 WWI memorial is a lovely and serence place to rest and relax on the campus of UT…read more(Austin). The sound of the water coming from the fountain expresses calmness in what could otherwise be a chaotic day for some. It's well-maintained and cared for. You just can't beat the imagery of this landscaped moment. Hands down one of the best photo/selfie ops around. I sometimes do a Sunday stroll about campus and stopping at the fountain is always a part of that walk.

I was on University of Texas campus yesterday for a friend's daughter graduation. By the way she's…read morehaving 4 graduations over the weekend (I only attended one...main one). It brought back so many fond memories regarding being on campus. Littlefield Fountain was one of those great memories...it's majesty and beauty. Little fountain is located on 21st Street on the southern portion of the University of Texas at Austin campus. You can see the UT Tower perfectly from the fountain. This beautiful fountain was completed in 1933 and was designed by sculptor Pompeo Coppini. The fountain's quiet water and bronze figure immediately captivates you. Water flows around the main sculpture emitting grandeur and peacefulness. Many graduates and their families gravitated to the fountain to take pictures and celebrate the graduates. This fountain was constructed as a World War I memorial to honor UT students and alumni who lost their lives in this war. While the symbolism of this fountain is sad, the beauty of fountain gives hope. Philanthropist George W. Littlefield commissioned this fountain, and it serves as calming place to sit, meditate and reflect. I sat at this fountain many times as a student in between classes. Very thankful for the beauty and calm of this iconic fountain...

Tom Miller Dam is a dam located on the Colorado River within the city limits of Austin, Texas, near…read moreMozart's coffee. I used to work nearby and have had the opportunity to walk across Tom Miller Dam. Great view from the dam's walkway... The dam forms the Lake Austin upstream and marks the beginning of Lady Bird Lake downstream. The dam is, surrounded by rolling hills and a residential area, which makes it aesthetically pleasing from the dam walkway. Tom Miller Davis was completed in 1940 after two previous dams at the same site were destroyed by floods. Operationally the dam plays a vital role in flood control, hydroelectric generation, and maintaining a steady water level. The Miller dam has two hydroelectric turbines producing energy for Austin. The Lower Colorado River Authority currently manages the dam operations.

The Rector Cemetery in Manor, Texas, is a historic burial ground, preserving the town's pioneer…read moreheritage and honoring early settlers who shaped the community's culture and identity. I love it because it offers a tangible connection to the past, and it beautifully reflects the town's roots and the stories of those who came before us.

This is an old cemetery from the 1800s and does have some notable local names buried here. Though…read moreit may have been located off the beaten path a long time ago, it is now surrounded by a local golf course. The cemetery itself is quite small, probably less than 50 feet in either direction and sadly it's quite overgrown within the perimeter. The best way to gain access is to park at the church which sits not far from the golf course and walk down Lexington Street to the small road that leads into the golf course. The cemetery is surrounded by a new tall perimeter fence and is locked to restrict access. It is also surrounded by an old iron fence within the perimeter. On the fence itself is a great deal of information which tells you a lot more than I can. So check out the photos below which includes some scan codes which tell you even more.

As the name of this cemetery suggests, this is by in large a Hispanic cemetery. There is a small…read moreTexas historical sign on the property which is included in the photos below and it adds additional insight. The size of the cemetery is about 100' x 200'. There are some family plots here, but at the same time there is some randomness as to how people are buried on the property, and there are many varying types of headstones and memorials. There are the traditional headstones found here, but there are many that have been created from scratch by family members. This appears to still be an active cemetery, although there does not appear to be much space left. The cemetery is fairly well tended to and often visited, but it seems that the trees on the property are getting out of hand. It should be pointed out that just a short walk from this cemetery on the same street is the Masonic cemetery which is much larger. Plenty of photos included for added insight.

The small cemetery sits in a mostly empty 1 acre field right next to 969. It's a small family…read morecemetery with some rich history behind it. There are two photos below of Texas historical signs which you tell you you all you need to know. It's immediate neighbors are a Dollar General, the village hall, and the Ebeneezer Church. There was one other grave cast in concrete about 10 feet from the main plot. It was hard to read with very little information. For the most part, this small plot seems relatively well cared for, although a little overgrown. For those interested in local Texas history, it's worth a visit. Informative photos and video below.