Galveston Island has been graced by a series of Tremont House hotels, beginning before statehood and continuing to this day. She has played host to countless celebrities, including the Marx Brothers, Buffalo Bill, Stephen Crane, Harry Houdini, Sam Houston, Anna Pavlova and multiple presidents.
“Check in” to the pages of this book and immerse yourself in the sometimes surprising history that can take place in the halls of a grand hotel.
Click image to order.
A History of the Hotel Galvez
Included in the National Register of Historic Places Hotel Galvez, known as the Queen of the Gulf, has reigned over Galveston’s famous seawall for over a century.
She began as the vision of a group of determined businessmen to bring prosperity and tourism back to their island after the 1900 Storm, the deadliest natural disaster in American history.
Victorians sauntered down her Peacock Alley in their best finery, beauty pageant contestants posed on her lawn, the United Stated Coast Guard used her as a barracks, and generations of families have come to love her as a holiday escape. Her guests have included presidents, celebrities, military and some even say ghosts.
Come walk the halls of the Hotel Galvez and travel through the history of one America’s most beautiful and historic hotels.
Click image to order
Ghosts of Galveston
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. Explores these and other haunted tales from the Oleander City. Now available from The History Press.
Written especially for middle school readers, this collection of ghostly tales will have you checking to seek what lurks around every corner. Did you know that the deadliest natural disaster in American history happened in Galveston, leaving behind thousands of ghosts? Or that the spirit of the famous pirate Jean Lafitte still roams the coast? Pulled right from history and illustrated by a “spirited” artist, these tales will change the way you see Galveston…and might have you sleeping with the light on!
Click image to order
Galveston’s Broadway Cemeteries
Established in 1839, the grouping of cemeteries on the central boulevard of Galveston has grown to include seven separate cemeteries within their gates. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it is the resting place of famous and infamous citizens from Galvestons colorful past, including veterans from every war between 1812 and the present, heroes, scoundrels, philanthropists, murderers, pioneers of the Republic of Texas, groundbreaking scientists, and working-class citizens from around the world. Due to several grade raisings, there are up to three layers of burials within the cemetery, with some of the markers being lost forever. The stories of some of the residents are gathered here for you to enjoy. Now available from Arcadia Publishing.
12 thoughts on “My Books”
Sue Yerbysays:
Kathleen, I am the Programs Director for Clayton Library Friends and would like to ask if you can speak at our quarterly meeting on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 10:00 am to noon. If you would like to bring some of your books we can also have a signing if you would like.
Thank you for the enjoyable evening last night at the Galvez. My son had been looking forward to his surprise for a while. Upon arriving your books were sold out. He really wanted the book and your signature. I would love to find out how to go about ordering a signed copy of your book addressed to him. I appreciate your understanding.
I would love to help you with this! Please send an email to kathleen@kathleenmaca.com or message me through my Facebook page “Author, Kathleen Shanahan Maca”
We’ll get this taken care of a.s.a.p.
Glad you enjoyed the event, and I’m so sorry they ran out of books!
Just finished Ghosts of Galveston – excellent read – thanks for inspiring our own “field trips” – many will be spurred by your posts & books…
Maureen in Friendswood
I am the great grand daughter of Amy Dollis. I would appreciate knowing how to get a copy of Amy’s. death certificate that you mentioned. I so appreciate the work that you have done on Texas history. You are an excellent researcher.
Bestb Regards
Hello, Lea – I was doing research locally when I wrote the piece about your great grandmother Amy. I did not keep a copy of the death certificate, but you should be able to obtain a copy from the Harrison County (Texas) Courthouse. If you have any trouble pursuing it that way, contact the public library in Marshal and ask for guidance. Thank you for the kind words, and good luck!
Dear Kathleen, I am Jean Pennington, Edmonds, WA. I just watched your video on You Tube about a Galveston, TX cemetery. I really like how you speak about the individuals with respect and honor them. I have signed up for s subscription of yours. You caught my attention when you mentioned the yellow fever epidemic. It took place about the time when one of my great-grandfather’s died leaving him an orphan when he was about 8-9 years old. He married my great-grandmother in Austin, and they settled in Argyle where they are buried. I have tried and tried to find some record on him. I have tried to become a member of Daughters of the Republic of Texas. However, without finding any information on him and especially his parents, I cannot be a member. Do you have any suggestions where I might look? I really like how you present your videos. Thank You! Jean
Thank you for the kind words, Jean. I definitely understand your frustration with elusive records. I would highly recommend directly contacting the chapter of DRT that you believe most applied to the area where your family lived, and letting them know about the situation. Heritage groups often have experienced genealogists as members who volunteer their time helping others to overcome this type of roadblock to gain membership. If he was orphaned in Austin, that is a prime place to begin. The Austin Genealogical Society has a website that offers resources as well and would be well worth contacting. Good luck with your search!
Hello,
Me and a group of my friends were recently in Galveston and visited The Bishop’s Palace. I have a very interesting photo I would like to share with you.
I truly believe the picture has an image of Mrs. Gresham in the reflection of the glass on the China cabinet. I took a photo of her hand painted China and there is a reflection of what looks like a woman in a dress with a high collar and her hair in a bun. It is quite extraordinary. Me and my friends were amazed! I ordered your Ghost of Galveston book and thought maybe you would like to see it for yourself.
Many Thanks,
Tammi McLain
Click image to order
blished in 1839, the grouping of cemeteries on the central boulevard of Galveston has grown to include seven separate cemeteries within their gates. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it is the resting place of famous and infamous citizens from Galvestons colorful past, including veterans from every war between 1812 and the present, heroes, scoundrels, philanthropists, murderers, pioneers of the Republic of Texas, groundbreaking scientists, and working-class citizens from around the world. Due to several grade raisings, there are up to three layers of burials within the cemetery, with some of the markers being lost forever. The stories of some of the residents are gathered here for you to enjoy. Now available from Arcadia Publishing.
Kathleen, I am the Programs Director for Clayton Library Friends and would like to ask if you can speak at our quarterly meeting on Saturday, May 14, 2016 from 10:00 am to noon. If you would like to bring some of your books we can also have a signing if you would like.
So glad that we were able to get this scheduled! I’m looking forward to seeing your group in August.
Thank you for the enjoyable evening last night at the Galvez. My son had been looking forward to his surprise for a while. Upon arriving your books were sold out. He really wanted the book and your signature. I would love to find out how to go about ordering a signed copy of your book addressed to him. I appreciate your understanding.
I would love to help you with this! Please send an email to kathleen@kathleenmaca.com or message me through my Facebook page “Author, Kathleen Shanahan Maca”
We’ll get this taken care of a.s.a.p.
Glad you enjoyed the event, and I’m so sorry they ran out of books!
Just finished Ghosts of Galveston – excellent read – thanks for inspiring our own “field trips” – many will be spurred by your posts & books…
Maureen in Friendswood
Thanks for the kind words. Encouraging people to get out and explore using the books as a starting point was definitely my intention.
I am the great grand daughter of Amy Dollis. I would appreciate knowing how to get a copy of Amy’s. death certificate that you mentioned. I so appreciate the work that you have done on Texas history. You are an excellent researcher.
Bestb Regards
Hello, Lea – I was doing research locally when I wrote the piece about your great grandmother Amy. I did not keep a copy of the death certificate, but you should be able to obtain a copy from the Harrison County (Texas) Courthouse. If you have any trouble pursuing it that way, contact the public library in Marshal and ask for guidance. Thank you for the kind words, and good luck!
Dear Kathleen, I am Jean Pennington, Edmonds, WA. I just watched your video on You Tube about a Galveston, TX cemetery. I really like how you speak about the individuals with respect and honor them. I have signed up for s subscription of yours. You caught my attention when you mentioned the yellow fever epidemic. It took place about the time when one of my great-grandfather’s died leaving him an orphan when he was about 8-9 years old. He married my great-grandmother in Austin, and they settled in Argyle where they are buried. I have tried and tried to find some record on him. I have tried to become a member of Daughters of the Republic of Texas. However, without finding any information on him and especially his parents, I cannot be a member. Do you have any suggestions where I might look? I really like how you present your videos. Thank You! Jean
Thank you for the kind words, Jean. I definitely understand your frustration with elusive records. I would highly recommend directly contacting the chapter of DRT that you believe most applied to the area where your family lived, and letting them know about the situation. Heritage groups often have experienced genealogists as members who volunteer their time helping others to overcome this type of roadblock to gain membership. If he was orphaned in Austin, that is a prime place to begin. The Austin Genealogical Society has a website that offers resources as well and would be well worth contacting. Good luck with your search!
Hello,
Me and a group of my friends were recently in Galveston and visited The Bishop’s Palace. I have a very interesting photo I would like to share with you.
I truly believe the picture has an image of Mrs. Gresham in the reflection of the glass on the China cabinet. I took a photo of her hand painted China and there is a reflection of what looks like a woman in a dress with a high collar and her hair in a bun. It is quite extraordinary. Me and my friends were amazed! I ordered your Ghost of Galveston book and thought maybe you would like to see it for yourself.
Many Thanks,
Tammi McLain
I’m always interested in seeing these types of photos that people capture. Some are very intriguing!