Things To Do in Galveston
Your daily guide to events and happenings on the island.
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Your daily guide to events and happenings on the island.
Try adjusting your search or date filter.
January 16, 1879
Culture / Business
The new city directory for Galveston is published, a vital annual publication that served as the comprehensive guide to the city's residents and businesses.
This article announces the release of the latest city directory. More than just a phone book, the 19th-century directory was a detailed census, listing the name, address, and occupation of nearly every adult male in the city. It also contained a full guide to businesses, churches, and civic organizations. For historians, these directories are an invaluable resource, providing a detailed snapshot of the city at a specific moment in time.
January 16, 1920
Politics / Culture
On the eve of national Prohibition, Galveston prepares for the official start of the "dry" era, though the city's reputation as a "wet" town suggests little will actually change.
This historic front page announces the moment the 18th Amendment goes into effect. The article reports on the national law, but the local context was one of widespread defiance. While saloons would technically close, everyone in Galveston knew that the flow of illegal liquor would continue unabated in the city's famous "Free State" environment. The article marks the beginning of a colorful and notorious chapter in the island's history.
January 16, 1977
Culture / Community
A feature article chronicles the successful revival of Mardi Gras in Galveston, which had been dormant for many years before being brought back by local citizens.
This story, written during the early years of the modern Mardi Gras revival, describes the grassroots effort led by George Mitchell and the Galveston Historical Foundation to bring back the island's grandest tradition. After being shut down in the 1940s, the new Mardi Gras was being rebuilt with a focus on family-friendly parades and elegant balls, a conscious effort to create a new, more refined identity for the celebration.
January 16, 1885
Entertainment / Oddity
A traveling hypnotist, or "mesmerist," puts on a public performance in Galveston that both amazes and alarms the audience with his seemingly supernatural abilities.
This article reports on a popular but controversial form of 19th-century entertainment. The mesmerist would put volunteers from the audience into a trance and make them perform strange and comical acts. While entertaining for many, others viewed the practice with suspicion, seeing it as a dangerous and mysterious power. The story captures the Gilded Age's fascination with the occult and the unexplained.
January 16, 1940
Law / Culture
Galveston authorities, in a brief moral panic, declare that pinball machines are a form of illegal gambling and threaten to confiscate them from local businesses.
This article reports on a local crackdown against the new and popular amusement of pinball. The machines, which did not yet have flippers and were seen as games of chance, were targeted by reformers as a gateway to gambling for the city's youth. The brief "war on pinball" was a quirky and memorable chapter in the city's long and complicated relationship with games of chance.
January 16, 1978
Weather / Oddity
The Galveston Daily News reports on an incredibly rare and bizarre weather event: it is snowing in Miami, Florida.
This article covers a freak weather event that shocked the nation. The sight of snow falling on the palm trees of Miami was a surreal and once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. For Galvestonians, who were themselves unaccustomed to winter weather, the story from even farther south was a source of great amusement and a powerful reminder of nature's unpredictability.
Galveston Island Radio is a community-focused online radio station dedicated to celebrating the unique spirit and vibrant culture of Galveston Island, Texas. We're passionate about showcasing the island's diverse community, rich history, and exciting events, providing a platform for local voices and talent to shine. Our mission is to be the go-to source for everything Galveston, offering a mix of music, news, and engaging content that informs, entertains, and connects residents and visitors alike. Whether you're interested in local businesses, upcoming events, or the island's fascinating history, Galveston Island Radio has something for everyone.
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