Discover the haunting history of this town on the Texas coast—includes photos. One of the oldest cities in Texas, Galveston has witnessed more than its share of tragedies. Devastating hurricanes, yellow fever epidemics, fires, a major Civil War battle, and more cast a dark shroud on the city’s legacy. Ghostly tales creep throughout the history of famous tourist attractions and historical homes. The altruistic spirit of a schoolteacher who heroically pulled victims from the floodwaters during the great hurricane of 1900 roams the Strand. The ghosts of Civil War soldiers march up and down the stairs at night and pace in front of the antebellum Rogers Building. The spirit of an unlucky man decapitated by an oncoming train haunts the railroad museum, moving objects and crying in the night. In this fascinating book, Kathleen Shanahan Maca explores these and other haunted tales from the Oleander City.

For nearly 200 years, a permanent settlement at the mouth of Galveston Bay has welcomed pirates, sailors, immigrants, and visitors from around the world. As Galveston grew, its buildings were visible signs of the city's prosperity and the talent of its craftsmen. For many, this city was a gateway to America and an inspiration of what other communities in Texas and the Southwest would become. Although Galveston has thousands of historic buildings remaining, many have been lost to the elements and development over the years. Buildings such as the ones found within these pages define the character of our city and its culture.

Come walk the timeless halls of the Hotel Galvez. No expense was spared in the creation of this beautiful statement of Galveston's resilience, which stands as the only historic beachfront hotel in the state of Texas. Perched on the city's famed seawall, the building has weathered a century of hurricanes and even "served" in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. Presidents, beauty pageant contestants, gamblers, movie stars, military heroes, newsmen and countless other guests have gazed out at the Gulf through its gracefully arched windows. Kathleen Maca recounts the legends and shares the secrets of this extraordinary hotel.

A riveting true story of money and murder and the trial of the Texas millionaire T. Cullen Davis—accused of attempting to kill his estranged wife and later plotting to hire a hit man to finish the job. This fascinating and bizarre true crime story of the murder trials of Texas oil tycoon T. Cullen Davis—the richest man ever indicted for murder—is "bloody wonderfully good" (George Plimpton).

Murder at The Galvez Eighteen years after discovering the murdered body of her grandfather in the foyer of the historic Galvez Hotel, Sydney Lockhart reluctantly returns to Galveston, Texas to cover the controversial Pelican Island Development Project conference. Soon after her arrival, the conference is cancelled; the keynote speaker is missing. When his body turns up in the truck of Sydney's car, she's hauled down to the police station for questioning. The good news is Sydney has an alibi this time; the bad news is she finds another body-her father's new friend-he's floating facedown in a fish tank with a bullet in his head. Her father's odd behavior and the threatening notes delivered to her hotel room leads Sydney to suspect that her grandfather's unsolved murder and the present murders are connected. As if this wasn't bad enough, just a few blocks from the hotel at her parents' home, people are gathering, sparks are flying, another controversial event is in the planning, one that just might rival the Great Storm of 1900.

In 1900, the city of Galveston was flourishing. With saloons, mansions, and even an opera house, the Texan island was known as "The Queen City of the Gulf"... until heavy rains flooded the streets, putting the entire town under waster and killing a third of the inhabitants. When the tragedy was over, the island was eventually rebuilt...but many of the dead were not ready to leave the place they called 'home'. Locals, as well as visitors, still speak about the unearthly situations they've personally experienced, especially at the Walmart that replaced the St.Mary's Orphan Asylum. "Galveston Ghost Tales" is a compendium of the eeriest stories from the this haunted city. A photo of a little girl wasn't there. The spirit of a nun that roams the aisles. The sound of a child crying. With firsthand accounts from those who have seen these things and more themselves, this book will fill your mind with shadowy figures. Whether you already believe in ghost or are still a skeptic, "Galveston Ghost Tales" will haunt your dreams all night long. Grab a flashlight, snuggle under the sheets, and turn the pages! But take care, chances are... you won't be sleeping tonight.

Reproduction of the original: Strange True Stories of Louisiana by George W. Cable