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).

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

In the 1950s, as the leader of the Upsetters, the original backing band for rock pioneer Little Richard, Grady Gaines first exposed the music world to his unique brand of “honkin’,” bombastic, attitude-drenched saxophone playing. In the years that followed, the Upsetters became the backing band for Sam Cooke and crisscrossed the country as the go-to-band for revue-style tours featuring James Brown, Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Supremes, Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John, and Etta James. In I’ve Been Out There, the Houston blues and R&B legend Grady Gaines speaks candidly about his sixty-year music career and life on the road supporting some of the biggest names in blues, soul, and R&B. This annotated autobiographical account details Gaines's professional triumphs and personal sacrifices. The book contains anecdotes about life on the road and in the studio during a period when the entertainment industry was vastly different, affording readers a glimpse into the creative makeup of a man whose distinctive sax playing powered some of the most popular songs of the era, helped define the genre, and mesmerized countless audiences.