The 1900 Storm remains the deadliest natural disaster in United States history. The hurricane’s destruction and following recovery have shaped this region. The history of The Great Storm is part of a permanent exhibit at the Galveston County Museum. This exhibit displays the only existing coroner’s ledger describing people lost in the 1900 Storm on the Bolivar Peninsula. The Galveston County Museum's podcast, "Unboxing History," hosted by Christine Hopkins and Jodi Wright-Gidley (Museum Director), explores this unique artifact that documents unidentified bodies recovered after the devastating 1900 Storm.
The Storm's Fury and Its Toll
Galveston, a thriving port city before the storm, and the smaller community on Bolivar Peninsula faced unimaginable devastation in 1900. At a time before the seawall was built, the storm surge from this storm caused widespread destruction. This remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, with an estimated death toll of 12,000 across Galveston County and beyond. The storm is now estimated as a category 4.
A Ledger of Loss: The Inquest Record Book
The museum's 1900 Storm exhibit centers around a grim artifact: the inquest record book used by Justice of the Peace J.E. Stevenson on Bolivar Peninsula. This ledger meticulously documents unidentified bodies recovered after the storm. Descriptions include age, race, hair color, clothing, and any personal items found, all in an effort to reunite families with their loved ones lost in the disaster.
The exhibit goes beyond the basic details in the record book. It displays personal items found with the bodies, such as rings, watches, and dentures – tangible reminders of the lives lost. Only four of the 86 individuals documented in the book were ever identified. The exhibit also features stories of those impacted by the storm, including a soldier and a woman with a dime tied around her ankle, possibly a symbol of luck.
A Race Against Time: Challenges and Aftermath
The lack of refrigeration necessitated the swift handling of bodies to prevent disease outbreaks. This particular inquest record book is the only one known to exist from the storm.
The exhibit also showcases the incredible efforts of Clara Barton's Red Cross in the aftermath, the story of a lost and found baby named Frank, and a typewriter used by the Galveston Daily News editor to compile lists of the dead and survivors. Footage of the storm captured by Thomas Edison's crew, who had to sneak onto the island to film, is also on display.
Soon after the hurricane, a seawall was constructed, followed by efforts to raise the island's ground level. These initiatives transformed Galveston into a popular tourist destination. The book "Galveston: City on Stilts," co-authored by Jodi Wright-Gidley, explores this period of reconstruction.
The Museum's Legacy: Honoring the Past and Educating the Future
The Galveston County Museum offers valuable resources for those interested in family history or the 1900 Storm. The 1900 Storm exhibit is now presented in both English and Spanish. Jodi Wright-Gidley emphasizes the inquest record book and personal items as the most impactful artifacts because they paint a complete picture of the human cost of the storm.
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