When delving into historical research, whether as a hobby or as an attempt to keep specific memories alive, you meet many people from different cultures and backgrounds, as well as those similar to yourself who have their own history niche. The first Jefferson County Historical Commission (JCHC) meeting I attended was in 2012, one year to the day Bill Quick died. I didn’t know Bill, but his way of researching and those who knew him changed my method of gathering historical information. He believed that your ongoing research must be correct to pass on to the next generation, and he was a stickler for detail. This should be a no-brainer for everyone, but humans will be humans, and we can get lazy. Researching a subject can take years, and even then you may never find your answer. It took me five years of my ongoing research on Florence Stratton to determine that her birthday was March 21, 1881. Five years, but I did find it. And to Bill’s credit, I had six verifications, although Bill would have wanted at least three. I would have loved to talk with him about many topics, such as this.
Over the years, I’ve talked to many people about SETX and its history, and I cherish them. One of the great things about being on the JCHC is seeing new members pursuing their research and interests. There is much work going on, and I hope they will keep these projects alive by writing them down and placing them in public for all to discover their work. Speaking of the JCHC, I would like to give a big shout-out to their new coordinator, Jen Trenbeath. Having known Jen for the past couple of years, I am confident that she will do a great job!
There are also people who are not on the JCHC that I’ve cherished for years as a link to local history, who I relied upon their expertise, and who, sadly, we have lost. Jerry Burnett was my insurance agent—largely by default; my father sought him out in the 90s. When my father died in 1998, I relied on Jerry for insurance. In later years, I got to know Jerry, and we always discussed Port Arthur’s history. We spent many hours discussing our city and its past. The interurban was front and center in our discussions, and any train or railroad question fell into his expertise.
I love talking about local history, but it was always unique to discuss it with Jerry. Not only did he know Port Arthur’s history but he also collected information and sometimes objects from a forgotten era that most would throw away. Thanks to him, I have my Port Arthur telephone book (1947).
A few weeks ago, I received a letter from Jerry’s office that he had passed in February. It was a shock to find out. The last time we spoke was in October, and as usual, our insurance discussion quickly turned into yet another recollection of our city’s past. I will undoubtedly miss our conversations and his input on some of my projects. Rest in peace, Jerry.
A sibling of mine visited this weekend—it has been decades since she left the area. We went on a driving tour of mid- and south-Jefferson County and visited old haunts, such as the old neighborhood, Griffing Park, Eddinston Court, the seawall, and the old crabbing site on Pleasure Island. Everyone knew to line up at the schoolhouse to your crabbing site to catch your limit, right? Fun times! Conversations about past restaurants such as Leo and Willie’s, Farm Royal, the Fish Net, Monceaux’s, El Charro, and Guadalajara’s delightfully made our final leg of the tour finish at the Schooner restaurant.
I also had the chance to browse through a few Port Arthur High School yearbooks this morning. I have four issues of the Seagull from the 1920s, and it’s always interesting to look back at a few interesting characters from our history. Some may have known this little lady as Martha, but most knew her as Toodlum. “Hello, Port Arthur. I love you and everyone here,” she would one day write.
I will be involved in a few projects this year, starting in May. I hope to get into some details next week, but until then, I bid you farewell.
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