La Maison Beausoleil Museum

 

La Maison BeausoleilLately I have spent every non-working minute doing research for an upcoming project, which I will elaborate on at a later date. This can be very fun and interesting, but spending hours upon hours peering into a computer screen and/or microfilm at the historical library does tend to be tedious and time-consuming. That is why, today, I decided I’d had enough. It was time to take a break. So, with camera in hand, I headed out the door toward the river. 

As I drove down Grigsby Avenue, near the old jail, I noticed that the windows of the old cabin in Port Neches Park were open. Of course, I had to investigate, so I immediately began my exploration.Grigsby's Bluff Jail

Truth be told, I have wanted to tour this small 200-year-old museum for a long time, but I was either unable to make it to the park at the time the volunteer was there or the house was closed up. To be fair, the owners of these obscure little historic homes are not able to have either a paid or unpaid docent available a lot of the time. It is the same with other larger places, such as the Vuylsteke Home, White Haven (Port Arthur), or the smaller T.J. Chambers House (Anahuac). It is not feasible to keep someone there permanently, and volunteers are becoming few and far between, so most times you must call ahead to tour.DSC04233

Le Maison Beausoleil (the House of Beautiful Sunshine) was built around 1810 in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. It was donated by the descendants of the original owner, Joseph Broussard Dit Beausoleil, and transported via barge to its current site in Port Neches Park. The cabin/museum was restored and opened to the public in 1988 by Les Acadiens du Texas, a club promoting the rich culture and heritage of the Acadien (Cajun) people.

Loom @ La Maison BeausoleilThe first thing that sticks out amongst the many artifacts is the loom and spinning wheel. Other items of interest were the musical instruments, miniature replica houses, and the old family Bible.DSC04208

Overall, Les Acadiens du Texas does a good job of promoting their heritage with this museum. I just hope that it will be open more regularly on weekends for all to enjoy.

DSC04222This is the touring information, but I would definitely call ahead to confirm anyhow: Le Maison Beausoleil is open Saturday and Sunday from 1–5pm. Other times can be arranged for bus tours and special occasions by calling 409-722-3014, 409—722-5650, 409-729-0341, or 409-832-6733. There is no admission charge.

Gladys City

Gladys City

You’ve passed it countless times on Cardinal Drive while heading to your destination, but just like the Wallisville museums, you are missing a goldmine of treasures. This is most definitely the place where you can see how life was in SETX at the turn of the 20th century. Each building is from a different sector of our history. And worth the small fee charged to aid the upkeep of this fine place.

When you arrive for the tour, you are first shown a brief film on the origins of Spindletop and how Gladys City was formed. After that you can take a self-guided tour through the different buildings at your own pace. The countless artifacts and old trinkets that the curators have acquired are amazing. As I found myself browsing through them all, I couldn’t help but think back to my old neighbor, Roy, because I had seen a lot of the tools displayed here in his shop.DSC00264

My particular favorites in Gladys City are the general store, the photograph shop, and the printing shop. There are countless photos from this period that I could—and did—spend hours looking over.

After your tour, I would highly recommend having a look through the gift shop. Whether it’s the abundance of local books from local authors or the countless jars of jams and preserves, there’s something for everyone. My personal favorite is the fig preserve.

DSC00268Gladys City, I believe, is a great teaching tool to educate both young and old about what it was like to live at the turn of the 20th century. Oil was the new path to riches back then, and many came here seeking just that. There are many stories, both told and untold, from this era, and I hope to delve into them at a later time.

 

Gladys City is located o the Lamar University campus at 5550  University Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77705

Note All pricing and touring information was taken from Spindletops website which can be found below.

http://www.spindletop.org/

Admission prices

Adults $5
Seniors 60+ $3
Children Ages 6-12 $2
Children 5 & younger Free
Lamar University students, faculty, staff, retirees and alumni are admitted free, w/valid ID.
Active military, including Reserves & National Guard, their spouses and dependents receive free admission from Memorial Day through Labor Day as part of the Blue Star Museums program sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Touring Information:

Gladys City is available for special guided tours for groups of 10 or more Tuesday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Groups of 10 or more visiting on Saturday or Sunday may receive the special tour rate for a self-guided tour. Tours usually last one hour to 90 minutes.

Special rates for adult groups are $3 each for Adults, $2 each for Adults 60+. Much of the museum complex is wheelchair accessible and benches are provided on the porches of several buildings.

For youth tours, including public and private schools, home school groups, and scout troops, during the regular school year (September-May), admission is free for all youth and one chaperone for every ten students is free. Additional chaperones pay the regular adult tour admission fee of $3. Admission for youth tours during the summer (June-August) is $1 per person, including youth and adults.

Gladys City can accommodate up to 150 children in one tour. It is requested that large groups have at least one chaperone for every ten children.

Past and Present: Historians are a Precious Resource

 

No one can argue that Southeast Texas doesn’t have a rich and diverse history although, if you would ask most people around here, they would probably tell you that everything started with Spindletop. Well, we know better. We know this because of a certain few individuals who took the time—sometimes their whole lives—to document and explore our past. It is these people whom I hold in the highest regard.

In my journey to discover Southeast Texas history, I have been fortunate to find many articles, books, and other sources of information that have aided my research. From our first historian, Florence Stratton, to W.T. Block, Bill Quick, Judith Walker Linsley, Ellen Walker Rienstra, Edward T. Cotham, Martha “Toodlum” Ferguson, Yvonne Sutherlin, and the many others whose works I have yet to explore.

These people have taken the time and done the legwork to valiantly give us a true picture of what has gone before. Indeed, our history is not just the battles in Sabine Pass or the discovery of oil south of Beaumont. And these people have weaved their way through our history to bring us the stories that I love to discover. 

When I think of Sabine Pass, Kate Dorman is the first person who comes to mind. It is people like her who bring a real sense of history to our area. When I think of Richard W. Dowling, I see someone who accomplished many things in his short life away from the battlefield. The list of participants in our past goes on and on. Many had very interesting lives, which would have been forgotten were not for those few who keep our heritage alive. Beyond the glamour of historic recognition, most of these people lived their lives away from the history books, and we are fortunate to still be able to learn about them.

In doing research, some of my favorite portals to our history are of course the old books and articles from a time long since passed, such as The Story of Beaumont by Florence Stratton (1925), the Beaumont American Guide series (1930s), and of course, Susie Spindletop’s Weekly Letter (1920s and 30s), all of which you can find at the Tyrrell Historical Library.

One thing that I find fascinating when reading these insights is the absence of the present’s take on history. The past is still fresh, and you can tell this from the writings. Also, I will add that you can learn a lot about how people thought by reading a gossip column written 80-plus years ago.

Another source of information that I have been blessed to encounter is the Jefferson County Historical Commission’s treasures from current members and those members who have passed on. It was there that I began to see the bigger picture of what we face: sadly we are losing our historians. When these people are gone, so goes the knowledge of our past. This is why it is so important to document it, write it, photograph it, in any way you can. It is our heritage, our past, and we owe future historians this courtesy.

I treasure those who have taken the time to investigate my area’s past. Hopefully I can humbly add to their contributions in some way. They were, and are, my mentors, people who I wish I had known. If it weren’t for them, our historical knowledge would be nonexistent.

 

 

 

 

Preserving History

A few weeks back, I visited Broussard’s Cemetery, which is located on Labelle Road in west Jefferson County. There are few words that I can type here to adequately describe the condition of this sacred place, but I will try to do so.

At first sight, you would never know that there is a cemetery in front of you. The multiple years of abandonment have permitted the overgrowth of brush, vines, and trees to flourish. I actually had to use a few commercial trimmers to cut a trail through to the first grave. So who’s at fault, and where are the keepers of these plots of history?

Actually there are none. In my opinion, blame cannot lay at any particular person’s feet since this place is very old. It’s a sad fact of history that is becoming more and more frequent. Whether they are cemeteries, old abandoned sites, houses, or even simply a lack of interest in our past, a lot of our history is disappearing.

But all hope isn’t lost. There are organizations, commissions, and societies that do wonderful work in maintaining our history. There is a plethora of people behind the scenes who volunteer their time and finances toward specific purposes. Some people even dedicate a lifetime to their cause, and they are to be commended. Any help to these organizations, whether monetary or by way of voluntary effort, would no doubt be gladly appreciated.

So what is to become of Broussard’s Cemetery? There are passionate people who I believe will bring the needed care and attention to this historic site. But it all comes down to individuals with enough enthusiasm and a sufficient work ethic to take the time to correct this travesty. Because in the end, that’s what it takes: hard work and dedication to a cause.

If you would like to learn more about the Southeast Texas organizations that work to preserve our heritage or would like to donate your time, here are a few that would be most appreciative:

Jefferson County Historical Commission :

http://www.co.jefferson.tx.us/historical_commission/links.htm

Chambers County Historical Commission:

http://www.cchcnews.com/

Galveston County Historical Commission:

http://www.co.galveston.tx.us/Museum/historical_commission.asp

Orange County:

http://www.hcwilliams.com/

Beaumont Heritage Society:

http://www.beaumontheritage.org/

Galveston Historical Foundation:

http://www.galvestonhistory.org/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florence Stratton

Dear Della:

I know it’s been ages since your friend Susie has written to you, and I know she is deeply missed. I never met Susie personally, but I do know of her fondness for you and her knack for always knowing what you and your neighbors were up to. She shared many things with you each Sunday morning, something which I have only recently come to learn.

Della, I have read some of the open letters that Susie wrote to you over a period of 11 years on the pages of the Beaumont Enterprise. It’s obvious that Susie cared for everyone. But of course she did. You know she created “The Journal Empty Stocking Fund” to help poor people around the time of Christmas each year and “The Journal Milk and Ice Fund” because, as she put it, “even in the summer poor people are still poor.”

Thinking back, I can only imagine how hard it was for people during that time. Poverty was certainly color blind, and “Great” was a word used in sorrow. But you survived. You always will.

Yes I know that the Beaumont Journal is long gone, but the Beaumont Enterprise is still hanging on and its Empty Stocking Fund is still helping out citizens of this fine town, even today. It’s thanks to Susie that the poor are still being helped.

————–

Della, I did find out something about Susie. Did you know she wrote books? Susie published them under the name Florence Stratton. One of her books, The Story of Beaumont, published in 1925, has found a home in my office.

————–

After reading her column and books, I can see why you and your neighbors liked her so. Susie was one of a kind. My only regret in this scenario is that I wasn’t around in 1920s and 1930s Beaumont to talk with her. But I get that way when thinking about all my favorite people of Southeast Texas history. Although I must confess Susie is at the top of my list.

————-

Guess what Della, I passed by Susie’s beloved house today. I couldn’t help but think that ol’ Susie is still watching out for her little house. And you know what, it’s still secluded behind those tall hedges. Just the way she wanted it.

Paul

 

 

Note: This article has been edited with updated information as of 08/10/2013

Florence Stratton was born in Brazoria, Texas, in 1881. Her parents moved to Montgomery, Alabama, when she was a child. She attended Troy Formal College in Troy, Alabama, and even became valedictorian. (Note: In W. T. Block’s article about Florence, he wrote that she had graduated from Gray Normal College. I found out that Troy Formal College is now Troy University. I did not find any mention of Gray Normal College.)

In 1903, Florence moved to Beaumont, where she lived with her sister, and subsequently became a member of the faculty at Miss Austin’s private school.

In 1907 Florence had begun her journalism career at the Beaumont Journal as society editor. Thirteen years later, she would join the Beaumont Enterprise in the same capacity.

Earlier I mentioned that Florence had published a few books. There were five to be exact. The first was a compilation of O. Henry’s writings when he worked as a news scribe in Houston. She compiled them and wrote the foreword. It was called O. Henry’s Postscripts and was published in 1923.

In 1925, she would publish another compilation book entitled Recipes of Famous Women. The Story of Beaumont would also be published that same year. This book was written from her interviews with early Beaumonters.

Two more books would follow, The White Plume, O. Henry’s own short story, published in 1931, and When the Storm God Rides, published in 1936, compiled by Bessie M. Reid and retold by Florence Stratton.

Florence started her popular column called “Susie Spindletop’s Weekly Letter” in 1926 in which she would write to her fictional friend Della about the happenings in and around Beaumont society.

Note #1: Just as Susie was Florence’s alter ego, Della was a fictitious character representing the people of Beaumont. Susie/Florence always had a way of enticing her readers.

Note #2: After spending a rainy Saturday morning at the Tyrrell Historical Library looking through the archives at Susie/Florence’s writing, I was amazed just how much you can learn about early SETX history through a gossip column.

In 1930, Florence built her home out of the bricks from the old Jefferson County Courthouse at 1929 McFaddin (located across the street from the McFaddin-Ward house). Even today, the hedges are still present just as she had them oh-so-many years ago.

Sadly, on January 28th 1938, Florence died following surgery at a New Orleans hospital. The deat certificate states the cause of death as “Arterio Sclerotic heart disease.”

Florence Stratton was the first real published historian of our area. Her ceaseless energy and desire to bring the news of the day to Beaumonters was always her top priority. Through her work we can see just how life was in the early days. I’m sure Della would agree.

 

Note: I wish to thank the Tyrrell Historical Library and the Beaumont Enterprise for making available their wealth of information about this fine lady. I also wish to thank Ginny from the Chambers House Museum (http://www.chambershouse.org/) for introducing me to the life and times of the wonderful Florence Stratton.

 

 

Neches River Adventures Tour

Not all history comes from a mill or is constructed with bricks and mortar. Southeast Texas is known for many things, and its wildlife, waterways, and plant life is high on the tourism list. Whether it’s the hunting, fishing, birding, or camping, many are drawn to this area by its beauty and recreational perks.

One activity, which has eluded me since hearing about it in April, is the Neches River Adventure Tour, conducted by Cardinal Tours. (No fault to these fine folk. I just couldn’t get away from work to take this fantastic tour until now.) The tour leaves Riverfront Park every Saturday morning at 10 (except holiday weekends), and finally this week, I was able to climb aboard.

The two-hour tour on the Neches River first takes you under the train bridge—to take a peek at the port of Beaumont—before heading up the river, under the Purple Heart Memorial Bridge, and through a bayou filled with cypress trees, wildlife, Spanish moss, jumping mullets, and the like.

 On this day, there were no alligators, but there were wasps (note the photo), jumping mullets, turtles, and an elusive heron that was determined not to have his photo taken.

When taking a tour like this, things change from day to day or week to week. It is a different adventure each time you board this vessel, but what doesn’t change is the wisdom and knowledge of its crew. I cannot stress enough the value of having two guides so well-versed and knowledgeable about the river. Their passion for the preservation of this area’s natural wonders shows, and I too think it must be protected.

Whether you are a year old or 100, there is plenty to enjoy on this tour. The comfort factor is also a plus: you will not be sitting in the sun. The open boat is fully covered, and yes, they even have a restroom. The boat is equipped with life vests and meets all the safety requirements of the Coast Guard.

It is best to make reservations well in advance. This tour has become very popular, and the company is getting out-of-town groups as well as tourists from around the world. The cost of this tour is $15 per person, or $10 if you’re a senior or a child under 12. Children aged three and under ride free.

 

Neches River Adventures also is available for charters, professional development workshops, and student outdoor labs. For additional information, call (409) 651-5326 or visit their website:

http://nechesriveradventures.org/