There’s more to September than a song

September 2, 2026
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Montrose Star
Posted in ACROSS THE CAUSEWAY
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STORMS, MEMORIES, GHOSTS AND RESILIENCY

White-haired man with mustache and hat

September is here and on Galveston Island, it comes loaded with memories, images and tales of the Great Storm of 1900.

Galveston is no stranger to storms and other disasters. There is something mystical about the island, the history, the people and their resiliency. Storms and fires have not been able to bring the little island to a permanent end. Like the legendary Phoenix, she rises from the ashes of each disaster and does so a little stronger.

As September approaches and, with it, the 126^th anniversary of the worst natural disaster to strike American soil, locals and others recall the storm that crippled the bustling island on September 8, 1900. Books have been written, movies have been made, documentaries and even college courses created to analyze the ferocity of the storm and the aftermath. September on the island is historically the month when most storms, of various impact and capability, come calling. Citizens have more or less held their breath as the month unfolds and breathed a huge sigh of relief should it pass without incidents.

In the popular American standard song, “September Song”, written by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Maxwell Anderson, an old man reflects on the time that passed in his life and thinks about spending a beautiful golden fall in the near future, complete with a longed-for romance.

Oh, it’s a long, long while from May to December
But the days grow short when you reach September.
When the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame
One hasn’t got time for the waiting game.

The popular song packs a strong message about looking back on the past and imagining a bright future. One should not worry or stress over time and life that has passed by. In a sense, Galvestonians have taken this approach after the many storms that have rocked the island and, certainly, after the storm of 1900.

After the 1900 storm, Broadway looking northeast at Sacred Heart Catholic Church

When you read books such as Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson or Windows of Heaven by Ron Rozelle (just to name a couple of the many), one gets a very real picture and idea of what happened on those days in September of 1900. We read the narratives and recognize addresses, buildings and items that are so well described and their presence in the storm. Today we drive, walk and bike past those same places and the images of 126 years ago are somewhat lost. We recognize this building or that well-known location, as having been in the storm and survived. The horrors of that day are no longer felt. The idea of riding out a storm on floating debris, bodies moving like toy boats in a current, people screaming for help and fear burning like a wildfire just cannot be fathomed today.

A walk, ride or trolley trip through downtown or a stroll down Broadway, passing mansions and structures that were present during the storm, does not adequately stimulate many feelings or thoughts for the persons that fought that storm and perished on that fateful day. The grand homes are there, as are the statues, the gates, etc. But what was it like inside those places and structures as the tempest struck?

We know that thousands perished on that day and others, injured and sick from the storm, lingered and later died — some at home and some at St. Mary’s Infirmary. There was a tremendous release of souls on that day and after. It happened so fast for so many, could it be they didn’t even know they died? Some say they are still here among us. Others say they visit through portals or wormholes.

Spirits of the dead from the 1900 storm. Are they trapped, stuck or just visiting?

Galveston, long known to be “haunted” and a hot bed of paranormal activity to this day, continues to tell the stories of those that died on September 8 and after. There are ghost tours and just about every resident has some sort of weird tale to share. Their houses, their buildings and even the grounds outside seem to harbor some force or energy that can be labeled paranormal.

When these stories are told or shared, Galvestonians don’t laugh. They just chalk it up to the rich paranormal history on the island, and often the massive influx of souls that quickly transitioned on that day. Everyone has a story and they share them. Those visiting or those not into the ghost thing raise their eyebrows and think, “Right, this is nuts.” But for those that have these experiences, it is very real. Call it residual energy or lingering spirits — it can be found in Galveston.

And what of those that survived and continue to thrive, even today, after a storm. The devastation brought with Hurricane Ike would in all probabilities have destroyed any other city. Not Galveston. Their tough “We can do this” attitude has for over 125 years, enabled Galvestonians to stand tall, clean-up, rebuild and move forward with a strength not seen in many other communities. Even with major setbacks, the island continues to heal, grow and evolve mainly due to the residents.

This September, whether you are a local or visiting, as you look at the island and stop at various places, try if you can, if for only minute, to think what it was like on that day and those that followed. Remember the thousands of lives that transitioned in such a short time.

Like the lyrics of the song, “soon the days grow shorter”. None of us has time for a waiting game. Make it count!

Forest Riggs lives in Galveston. His book, ‘Galveston Memories and Related Stories’ is available at Amazon.com, OutSkirtsPress.com and ForestRiggs.com.