Forgotten History: Christmas Bay

[seamusTX]

San Luis Pass is the channel between the west end of Galveston Island and the mainland.

Christmas Bay lies southwest of San Luis Pass.

Legend has it that German settlers named Christmas Bay because they arrived there on or near Christmas day in 1838.

The city of San Luis was founded there and rapidly grew to rival the city of Galveston in size and economic activity. It had a port, a cotton press, hotels, newspapers, and all the luxuries of mid-19th-century life.

However, the settlers found that hurricanes were not so much fun, and set out to join their fellow German immigrants in New Braunfels.

By 1900, little remained of the city of San Luis; and the 1900 stormed wiped that out.

Today it as nearly forgotten as any bit of history can be.

This page shows the geography of the area and some spectacular photos of damage from Hurricane Ike:

http://www.houstonfreeways.com/modern/2 ... royed.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[anygunanywhere]

I sure hope they fix the roads soon. Good flounder gigging action in Christmas Bay.

Anygunanywhere

[seamusTX]

That road is not going to be fixed soon, but you can drive on the beach.

Do not drive a small car on the beach. Don't ask me how I know.

- Jim

[Lumberjack98]

Wow!

We normally fish in Christmas bay and drive that road to get there.

Thanks for posting.

[seamusTX]

You're welcome.

Anyone who is thinking of going anywhere near the coast, check first. There's a lot of current information in fishing forums.

- Jim

[WarHawk-AVG]

Wonder how long its going to be before they get the Cavalla back up and running at Sea Wolf Park...I really want to go check out that sub!

[seamusTX]

I called the park and asked. The guy I talked to didn't know.

The park itself is open and you can walk around the craft there.

The Cavalla web site has not been updated recently: http://www.cavalla.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

- Jim

[Lodge2004]

Took a drive last weekend to see how Galveston State Park fared. We go camping there often. The park is closed and assuming this picture works, you can see why:



Turns out the Lone Star Rally was in progress. We were wondering why there were so many motorcycles on the road. Although seing the park was depressing, the rally was fun to watch.

[seamusTX]

Galveston Island State Park is a real disaster.

- Jim

[WarHawk-AVG]

Took a drive last weekend to see how Galveston State Park fared. We go camping there often. The park is closed and assuming this picture works, you can see why:



Turns out the Lone Star Rally was in progress. We were wondering why there were so many motorcycles on the road. Although seing the park was depressing, the rally was fun to watch.

Oh man!!

We used to go there quite a bit often too...darn its almost completely washed away

Was there THAT much beach erosion due to IKE?

A few more good hurricanes and there won't be a Galveston island!!!

[seamusTX]

Yeah, there was that much erosion.

The island will still be here, but west of the Seawall will be several smaller islands.

- Jim