The Houston Ship Channel is known worldwide for its central role in facilitating global commerce. But the neighborhoods around the Ship Channel are barely known, even by Houstonians. The little-known usually centers on these communities existing within one of the nation’s most environmentally unfriendly (i.e. polluted) zip codes.
Yet, beneath that toxic assault lies a pristine piece of Black history; one that’s worth uncovering and celebrating.
“As a suburban area of Houston, Galena Manor started development in the early to mid-1900s,” said popular Instagram poster KeAndre Jordan (@mysouthernbrand) who regularly shares “Houston’s Black Historical Facts” with his 449,000 followers. “The neighborhood was a prosperous Black community that was filled with Black professionals.
“When nearby Frenchtown integrated into Fifth Ward, many Creoles settled into Galena Manor. As a result, the community had a thriving Creole culture.”
Nailah Nelson, known locally as “Mama Africa” for her central role in inspiring thousands of individuals, families, and organizations to learn of and appreciate Black people’s African roots, is also well-versed in the history of Galena Manor, the neighborhood where she was born and raised.
Nelson shared that history with the Defender in hopes of reviving interest in and respect for the area.
Defender: What impact did Galena Manor have on the historical life of Black Houston?Nelson: Galena Manor, via the GMCC, impacted the historic life of Black Houston by engaging residents of Fidelity, Clinton Park and Clinton View to become involved in the Bus detail. Rapid Transit (Metro) had bus stops in these Black communities. Very similar to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, these residents would get on the bus and sit up front, knowing that the driver would instruct them to move to the back of the bus. Then they would all file out to exit the bus. This extremely delayed the Rapid Transit bus routing schedule and complaints poured in, and their revenue was severely impacted. The community residents would use their cars to get people to work or carpool. The GMCC also engaged these communities for lunch counter/cafeteria sit-ins at Woolworths and Walgreens.
Defender: Did this activist extend beyond the 1950s and 60s?
Nelson: Absolutely. In 1970, all communities connected in response to the brutal death of Bobby Jo Conner and the brutal beating of Larry Taylor. They were stopped by the Galena Park Police (GPP) for running a then-nonexistent stop sign on 2nd Street and Galena Manor Drive. The GPP stated that Conner and Taylor were turned over in custody to the Houston Police (HPD). At least 100 people from these Galena Manor communities stormed the Galena Park City Hall to confront the mayor and Police Chief W.E. Cook, demanding Cook’s resignation. They also gathered at Houston City Hall to demand the resignation of then-HPD chief Herman Short. From this ordeal, the legendary Carl Hampton of Pleasantville, who was engaged in the GMCC strategies of protest created the People’s Party II and began getting members from Galena Manor, Pleasantville, Fidelity, Clinton Park and Clinton View.
Defender: Is it true Galena Manor served as a connector community?
Nelson: Galena Manor connected the communities of Galena Manor with its neighboring Fidelity, Clinton Park, Clinton View and Pleasantville via summer programs, park festivals and school dances. Regarding churches, most people connected regardless of denomination. These churches strengthened the bonding of all these communities.
Defender: What about Galena Manor’s connections to Third Ward and Fifth Ward?
Nelson: Galena Manor was built and the city of Galena Park wanted a brick wall dividing Fidelity (Black residents) from Galena Park residents (then predominantly white). Funding for that wall was declined by Galena Park, the city of Houston and Harris County. So, Judson Robinson Sr. and G.K Coleman began contacting residents of Fifth Ward, Acres Home, and Settegast, getting G.I’s to apply for a GI loan to obtain houses in Galena Manor. Many who acquired the homes came from Fifth Ward’s Frenchtown. They told their family members, who told their friends and family members. Hence, Galena Manor became a community of friends and family. Later, people moved on up to Third Ward when it became available to Black people. These people still kept their connections, gathering at the Eldorado Ballroom for holiday and festive occasions.
Defender: What was Galena Manor’s educational story?
Nelson: During desegregation, the community only had an elementary school. Students entering junior high had to be bussed to Fifth Ward’s Phillis Wheatley. That became problematic when the population grew. The Galena Manor Civil Club (GMCC) lobbied for a school to include the residents of Fidelity and Galena Manor. Galena Park ISD approved, and then built a junior high and high school for “the coloreds”: Fidelity Manor High School.
Defender; Why do you think Galena Manor doesn’t get mentioned as often when people talk about Houston’s historic Black communities?
Nelson: Sometimes people forget their history. As a people, we have traditionally mentioned our history to the next generations verbally, at family reunions, funerals and weddings so that they could pass it on. Those traditions are fewer these days. There had been an open line of communication in the community where someone would ask, “Who are your people?” The persons talking would then connect the dots from there.
Famous Galena Manor Residents
Craig Washington
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas’s 18th District. Washington was preceded in that seat by the late Mickey Leland and succeeded by the late Shelia Jackson Lee.
Freeman Barton, Jr.
Barton was a community icon as an entrepreneur and youth mentor. Washington, in fact, along with countless other youth, was a member of the boy’s club Barton headed. Barton engaged the young brothers, getting them actively involved in baseball, bowling, and skating.
Iconic Galena Manor Institutions
Allen’s Grocery, Davis Drug Store, Russell’s Gulf Station and scores of dry cleaners, washaterias, malt shops, food drive-ins, car repair shops and liquor stores. These Black-owned businesses were heavily supported by the Black community until integration.
