Ghosts of Galveston

Haunted America

by Kathleen Shanahan Maca

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. Kathleen Shanahan Maca explores these and other haunted tales from the Oleander City.

Genres: Nonfiction, Historical, Paranormal, Supernatural, History

128 pages, Paperback

Published September 12, 2016

Reviews

[Provin Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve loved Galveston, TX since I was a kid. It’s the closest beach to where I live and the community is so nice. I was aware of a lot of Galveston’s history, but ‘Ghost of Galveston’ taught me so much more. I had been in building that held the deceased after the hurricane killed so many in 1900. I’ve had my pictures taken with my family in the Old Time Photo. It was exciting reading stories about buildings and homes I have actually been to! I recently learned that there are several books in this series and I plan to buy them whenever I find them in my travels.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought a signed copy from a bookstore I visited in Galveston in July. I love patronizing local places and getting a signed copy was a major coupe.

This was a fun book. Now I want to return to Galveston to look up the addresses. In addition to being a good ghost book, it's also a nice historical Galveston book.

I'd have liked more photographs and there were a few typographical errors but it was still worth it. I'm probably going look up other books by the author. Local history is so much fun!

[Emma Lorraine Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing more atmospheric than reading this in Galveston on a stormy night with the wind shaking the house after you’ve spent the days in and around these buildings.

[Beth Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book before we took a trip to Galveston. Seeing as I am in Galveston a lot I figured I would get the book as a deeper look into the beautiful city I call my second home. The book didn’t disappoint, it was interesting and full of details and old photos. Since buying it I have also “met” the author online, by pure chance, she is a lovely person and fascinating to talk to.

[Celeste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Galveston so much, so it was fun to read this. I learned a lot from this and want more. Can’t wait to visit Galveston again and see these places.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is part of the Haunted America series, and was available to read for free on Kindle Unlimited. I read these on my phone at night a lot, and they are short little books (which is great to help me reach my goal that I raised this year). This one featured Galveston, Texas. I really enjoyed the included photographs of the buildings that were mentioned, and I looked up some and added them to my travel list. The stories were interesting, but I love the history lessons on each of the places more than the paranormal story. These are short books, but are interesting and certainly worth the read if you are looking for something interesting and free.

[Eileen Iciek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book since my mother's family is from Galveston and she had family members who died in the 1900 storm. I would say I haven't ever had a huge interest in ghosts and this book didn't make me want to go out and learn more about them. Maybe there were ghosts in these old houses, I couldn't say. Maybe I'm just not sensitive to them. Some of the stories seemed to be a bit of a stretch to me.

[Kathy Mapes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was basically reading the book from a historical point of view. The facts regarding some of the homes and businesses gave the reader a look as to how life was in the city of Galveston in the late 19th century. Added were the ghosts and how they took up residence in their respective haunts. Good book for those interested in Texas history.

[Sabrina Eads · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you're here for ghost stories, with detail, and chills and thrills, you'll probably be disappointed. This has a lot more of the actual history of the residents of Galveston and the reported hauntings and speculation on what or who may be haunting the building. Lots of pictures of architecture and not a lot of detail otherwise--very much the broad strokes.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

My family has lived in the area for generations and so I know a lot of the ghost stories of Galveston just from being passed down. I feel like this book was missing some of the major hauntings like Moody Mansion and Pleasure Pier. It was more of a history book than a series of ghost stories. I finished it for the sake of finishing it.

[Cheri Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic mix of history and hauntings!

This was a very well written and informative book. It was an absolute joy to read! I enjoyed how the historical facts were mixed in with the ghostly hauntings. Galveston is a place I'd love to visit and be able to visit the places mentioned in this book. I enjoyed this book immensely!

[Montana · Rating 3 out of 5]

There really are bodies everywhere here.
I liked how much history Maca interspersed within the ghost stories. I learned many things about Galveston even though I have been visiting here for years!
The writing didn’t flow as good as it could have. Transitions from thought-to-thought were quite abrupt. Nevertheless, it was informative and fun to read.

[Douglas Reedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book to read.

There are many interesting stories in this book about Galveston's historic past and the ghosts that are apart of that history. All of the stories are well written and intreging. Definitely worth your time to read.

[Lisa Kizer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really good book on the haunted houses in and around Galveston City and Island. I wanted to know about weird phenomenon like the face on UTMB building. So kinda feel like the book missed out on some interesting sights if you are using it as a tourist guide. Otherwise a great read.

[Karel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts

This book is more historical and not the least bit scary. To me it reads more like a text book. You will find that the majority of the stories are from the Civil War battle of Galveston and from the Great 1900 Hurricane. So if you like history this book is for you.

[Jorja Briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author was the guest speaker at our book club meeting. I had purchased the book 3 years ago when we moved down here. I've read it twice now. Great information. I want to drive around and look at all of the sites mentioned in the book next!

[Cathlina Bergman]

I appreciated the history and architecture of the buildings. I have no desire to be scared, however. I stopped after two or three chapters.

[Dena Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

This was a great telling of the history of Galveston. I will read it again before returning so I can go visit some of these interesting places!

[Teresa Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boo!

I have been to Galveston Island twice. I never realized that it had such a rich history. I now ant to return a see it in a different light.

[Lindsay Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some very interesting stories included in this book. Some very obvious typos also. 😲

[Lauren Elden-Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great history and spooky story!

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so much the ghost stories but the background stories and history are interesting.

[Sally Meyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read. Alot of stories about ghosts of Galveston with history of locations, two of which I have already toured when I was on the Island.

[Vendla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the short stories with the specific addresses attached. Made the stories more interested when we drove to the building and read about it.

[Teresa McCue · Rating 3 out of 5]

There could be so much more information here. She clearly knows more of the detail, but glosses over so much that could make it truly useful. She rarely tells whether a building is open to visitors and sometimes there's not even enough information to know whether it still exists. A week from now, I have a note on my calendar to go visit Nicaragua Smith. But after finishing the book and looking on maps I still have no idea where Oleander Cemetery is. Of course I can probably ask people, but why couldn't she include details to help a curious person find it?

[James Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to ghost stories, I am hooked, and with book by Kathleen Maca, it kept my attention riveted from start to finish. What I love about Kathleen’s books is her ability to tell a story, weaving in historical detail with stories associated. A proud addition to my library.

Highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys ghost stories and Galveston.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was more rumors than actual stories. But it did make me want to go back to the island. I think I will research the 1900 storm since that is when most of the deaths that resulted in hauntings occurred.

[Crystal Swafford · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best part about this book is learning some history about Galveston, TX in an unusual way. The neat ghost tales become more interesting and entertaining the deeper one progresses into the book. The tales are best enjoyed with a salty ocean breeze and a tasty beverage at night.

[Ruth Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at the ghosts that habitat the island of Galveston. I enjoyed it.

[Cleokatra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book, but it could have used more details. Still worth reading though and definitely worth taking along when you visit Galveston.