Galveston Burning: A History of the Fire Department and Major Conflagrations

by James F. Anderson, Mike Wisko (Foreword by)

Overview

Since 1821, when Jean Lafitte sailed away from a burning Campeche, the history of Galveston has often been wreathed in smoke. Over the next century, one inferno breached the walls of Moro Castle, while another reduced forty-two blocks of the residential district to ash. Recognizing the importance of protecting the city, concerted efforts were made to establish the first paid fire department, create a city waterworks and regulate construction standards. Yet even with all the forethought and planning, rogue fires continued to consume architectural gems like Nicholas Clayton's Electric Pavilion. Author James F. Anderson explores the lessons that Galveston has learned from its fiery past in order to safeguard its future.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781439673805
Publisher:	The History Press
Publication date:	10/18/2021
Series:	Disaster
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
File size:	11 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Inspired by ancestors who shared his lifelong passion for historical and genealogical research, James F. Anderson joined the Galveston Historical Foundation in 2009, becoming a House Chair of its Historic Homes Tour in 2013. James is currently an active member of the Texas State Historic Association and the Galveston Railroad Museum, as well as a certified tourism ambassador in Galveston.

Table of Contents

Foreword Mike Wisko 9

Preface 11

Acknowledgements 13

Introduction 15

1 History of Galveston 19

2 Galveston City Improvements 33

3 Galveston Fire Department History 65

4 The District Fires 81

Commercial District 82

Residential District 110

Wharf District 121

Warehouse District 132

5 Historic Structures Lost to or Damaged by Fire 145

Notes 207

Bibliography 209

Index 213

About the Author 221