Events at the turn of the 20th Century Send Two Cities in Opposite Directions
Events at the turn of the 20th Century Send Two Cities in Opposite Directions
The combination of three major events going on around the turn of the twentieth century led to a massive change in the trajectories of the cities of Houston and Galveston. Many people are familiar with the death and devastation left behind by the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, less people, though, are familiar with the huge oil field that was found at Spindletop, 90 miles east of Houston near Beaumont, just a few months after the 1900 storm. One other key event that was going on was the clash the city of Houston had been having with Congress since the 1890’s, the city and Congressman Tom Ball had been trying to convince other members of Congress that Texas needed a more protected port, Houston, than Galveston’s exposed position no more than a few feet above sea level. Ball’s pleas did not carry much weight until the disastrous hurricane struck in September of 1900. Taking a closer look at all the players involved will give a better look at just how each of the events affected the towns. The easiest place to start is with the 1900 Storm. The hurricane struck Galveston on the night of September 8, 1900, with estimated winds at the time of around 120 miles per hour, now though it is believed that to cause destruction similar to that night the winds would have to be closer to 140 miles per hour (Lutz). While Galvestonians were aware that a storm was in the Gulf, they had received reports of it crossing over Cuba a few days before on the 4th, there was not much to be done in preparation because there was no ways of telling where a storm was truly heading (Weems). As that Saturday wore on the tide slowly began to rise, the residents were so used to the Gulf encroaching on the island during heavy rains or large storms that many of them paid it no attention at all, many children even playing in it. Local weatherman, Isaac Cline, did his best to warn people of the impending danger of the
The combination of three major events going on around the turn of the twentieth century led to a massive change in the trajectories of the cities of Houston and Galveston. Many people are familiar with the death and devastation left behind by the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, less people, though, are familiar with the huge oil field that was found at Spindletop, 90 miles east of Houston near Beaumont, just a few months after the 1900 storm. One other key event that was going on was the clash the city of Houston had been having with Congress since the 1890’s, the city and Congressman Tom Ball had been trying to convince other members of Congress that Texas needed a more protected port, Houston, than Galveston’s exposed position no more than a few feet above sea level. Ball’s pleas did not carry much weight until the disastrous hurricane struck in September of 1900. Taking a closer look at all the players involved will give a better look at just how each of the events affected the towns. The easiest place to start is with the 1900 Storm. The hurricane struck Galveston on the night of September 8, 1900, with estimated winds at the time of around 120 miles per hour, now though it is believed that to cause destruction similar to that night the winds would have to be closer to 140 miles per hour (Lutz). While Galvestonians were aware that a storm was in the Gulf, they had received reports of it crossing over Cuba a few days before on the 4th, there was not much to be done in preparation because there was no ways of telling where a storm was truly heading (Weems). As that Saturday wore on the tide slowly began to rise, the residents were so used to the Gulf encroaching on the island during heavy rains or large storms that many of them paid it no attention at all, many children even playing in it. Local weatherman, Isaac Cline, did his best to warn people of the impending danger of the
Bibliography: Farrar, R. M.. The Story of Buffalo Bayou and the Houston Ship Channel, Book, 1926; digital images, (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth46820/ : accessed May 12, 2013), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries, Denton, Texas. First 100 section, http://www.chron.com/default/article/The-birth-of-Houston-backwater-beginnings-to-2054315.php (accessed May 11, 2013). "History." Port of Houston Authority. http://www.portofhouston.com/about-us/overview/ (accessed May 11, 2013). John Edward Weems, "GALVESTON HURRICANE OF 1900," Handbook of Texas Online(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ydg02), accessed April 13, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association. Lutz, Heidi. "The 1900 Storm: Tragedy and Triumph." The 1900 Storm. http://www.1900storm.com/ (accessed April 14, 2013). Marilyn M. Sibley, "HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL," Handbook of Texas Online(http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/rhh11), accessed May 10, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association. Robert Wooster and Christine Moor Sanders, "SPINDLETOP OILFIELD," Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/dos03), accessed April 8, 2013. Published by the Texas State Historical Association. Rose, Warren. "Catalyst of an Economy: The Houston Ship Channel." Land Economics 43 (1967), http://www.jstor.org/stable/3145562 (accessed May 11, 2013). Young, Earle. Tracks to the sea: Galveston and western railroad development, 1866-1900. College Station: Centennial Series of theAssociation of Former Students , 1999. http://books.google.com/books?id=oimKcdz8ZcYC&pg=PA144&dq=sibley port of houston&hl=en&sa=X&ei=joqNUcC-CpWu4APZ_YCYDw&ved=0CFcQ6AEwCA