Galveston Unscripted | VisitGalveston.com
Galveston Unscripted is your podcast and audio tour for Galveston Island! Galveston Unscripted is transforming Galveston into the worlds largest free museum! Galveston, Texas is home some of Texas' most significant people, places, and historical events, and hundreds of Texas historical markers and locations!Join Galveston Unscripted and VisitGalveston.com in exploring Galveston Island's history and culture to discover what makes Galveston Island one of a kind!
Episodes
135 episodes
Diamond in the Rubble: Hunting for Storm Survivors
The diamond-shaped plaques scattered throughout Galveston Island mark buildings that survived the devastating 1900 hurricane, America's deadliest natural disaster with up to 12,000 lives lost. These small markers represent structures that withs...
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9:01
Small Waves, Big Community: The Resilient Soul of Galveston Surfing
Galveston Island has created its own unique surf culture, embracing the Gulf's inconsistent waves and even finding creative alternatives like tanker surfing. What started with lifeguards using rescue boards has evolved into a thriving community...
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8:05
Where Salt Air Meets Sweet Sound
Galveston Island's rich musical heritage produced three extraordinary African-American musicians who carried their island-inspired sounds to the world stage. Frederick Tillis, Louis "Blues Boy" Jones, and Richard "Notes" Williams all grew up in...
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8:03
160 Years of Juneteenth! The Journey of Juneteenth Begins in Galveston
2025 marks the 160th year of Juneteenth, a powerful reminder of the day in 1865 when freedom finally reached the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.Juneteenth began on June 19, 18...
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6:20
From Mercantile Roots to Cultural Cornerstone: The 150-Year Evolution of Rosenberg Library
Mike Miller, director of the Rosenberg Library, shares the fascinating 150-year evolution of one of Texas's oldest public libraries and how it became Galveston's premier historical research institution. The Rosenberg Library stands as a unique ...
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10:48
Lost Heroes Return
A World War II Marine from Galveston, First Lieutenant Justin G. Mills, was identified 77 years after his death in the Battle of Tarawa. His remains were recovered through collaborative efforts between the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and ...
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14:08
Presidents and Paranoia: Galveston's Role in the Texas Revolution
During the Texas Revolution, Galveston Island served as a vital stronghold, supply hub, and temporary capital for the fledgling Republic of Texas. Long before its incorporation as a city, this barrier island was a center of pirate diplomacy, mi...
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11:12
The Rolling History of Galveston's Iconic Trolley System
Hop on board for a ride through Galveston’s past! From mule-drawn streetcars to vintage trolleys still rolling today, discover how this island’s unique transit history helped shape its streets—and its story
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6:02
The Galveston Movement: A Gateway of Hope
In the early 1900s, over 10,000 Jewish immigrants fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe arrived in the U.S. through Galveston, Texas—not Ellis Island. This episode explores the remarkable Galveston Movement, the humanitarian vision behind it, a...
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6:50
Rebellion & Pirate Outpost: Why Galveston Was Settled in the First Place
Geography, opportunity, and conflict. From indigenous history to pirates and privateers, this episode explores the island’s earliest known stories.
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8:22
Historical Easter Eggs
Every spring, Galveston comes alive with Easter traditions set against the blooming backdrop of its iconic oleanders. In this episode, we explore the island’s earliest Easter celebrations through historic newspapers, uncovering stories of churc...
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8:31
Galveston was to be...
Galveston Island's remarkable journey from pirate haven to "Wall Street of the South" reveals a forgotten chapter of American history where this Texas coastal city nearly rivaled New York in economic importance. We explore how Galveston became ...
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11:12
Gateway Galveston
Galveston was once a major immigration gateway, welcoming tens of thousands seeking a new life in America. Galveston's historic port became a cultural crossroads of Texas and beyond.
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7:54
Betty Ballinger: Mother of the Daughters
From founding the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to her advocacy for women’s suffrage and community health, Betty Ballinger's contributions shaped both Galveston and the state of Texas.
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6:00
The Mother of Texas? Jane Long's Survival on Bolivar Peninsula
Jane Long’s journey to the Texas frontier is a testament to resilience and survival. In 1821, pregnant and alone at a remote fort on Bolivar Peninsula, she endured freezing conditions, hunted for food after childbirth, and even fired cannons to...
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8:28
Reviving the Mardi Gras Spirit | With Dancie Perugini Ware
Step into the colorful world of Galveston Mardi Gras, a festival that embodies the spirit of resilience and community. Discover how this historic tradition, which spiraled into dormancy during the mid-20th century, was revived and transformed i...
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15:24
Galveston's Pelicans: A Conservation Success Story
Pelicans are resilient symbols of Galveston's coastal ecosystem, illustrating the complexities of their survival and recovery. This episode explores their unique characteristics, and the significant conservation efforts that have allowed their ...
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6:44
Professor J.T. Clark & Princess Beatrice: A Legacy Of Love Drawn In Ink
Immerse yourself in the world of tattoos as we explore J.T. Clark's transformation from a tattooed soldier to a celebrated artist in Johannesburg, alongside his wife Bertha, who became known as Princess Beatrice. Their pioneering tattoo shops i...
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18:06
Jack Johnson: Breaking Barriers and Defying Society in and out of the Boxing Ring
What if breaking barriers meant stepping into the ring against not just opponents, but an entire society? Join us as we uncover the extraordinary life of Jack Johnson, the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion. Born to former...
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9:38
1900 Storm Survivor King Vidor: Surviving the storm and The Wizard Of Oz
Whether you're a film buff or a history enthusiast, the enduring impact of King Vidor's work offers rich insights into the evolution of cinema. we explore the life and legacy of King Wallace Vidor, one of the most influential filmmakers of the ...
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9:34
Galveston's Mardi Gras
From its modest beginnings initiated by city founder Michel Menard in 1853, to the grand-scale events infused with rival societies and elaborate festivities. This episode promises a fascinating exploration of how Mardi Gras has evolved, leaving...
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6:19
Galveston Ablaze: The Great Fire of 1885
The episode delves into the Great Fire of 1885 in Galveston, revealing how this monumental disaster reshaped the community and fire safety regulations. It emphasizes the resilience of island residents in rebuilding their lives and homes in the ...
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7:41
Landmark of Luxury and History in Galveston: The Tremont House Hotels
The Tremont House, a Galveston icon since 1839, has undergone three iterations, each reflecting the city's evolving history. From hosting Presidents like Sam Houston of the Republic of Texas and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant to serving as a s...
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5:48
The Rosenberg Library: Generosity, Resilience, and Knowledge in Galveston
The Rosenberg Library in Galveston is a remarkable institution with a rich history rooted in a vision for community education and accessibility. From its establishment with Henry Rosenberg's generous bequest to its role in promoting inclusivity...
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7:24