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The 1839

The 1839 shines a light on Galveston’s past, present, and future.

We blend thoughtful reporting on important local issues with cultural stories that help people feel the city’s heartbeat. Rooted in honesty and inclusion, we bring together diverse experts and encourage open dialogue. Our mission is to keep Galveston’s spirit alive and show you the news that goes beyond superficial headlines.

10/06/2026

His full name is Dzago Struggle Chatsama, and his father gave him that middle name as a reminder of everything Zimbabwe went through to win its freedom, and everything he himself sacrificed for it during the years he spent fighting for it. People have told Dzago his whole life that he should change it, and when he first told me the story behind it, I thought he had it backwards from the way the world reads it. He isn't the struggle. He's the reward for it.
We sat down with him for The 1839, and his story is honestly one of the most compelling I've heard. I'd really encourage you to watch the full interview, and once you've met him, you can also read something I wrote personally about why we covered him and what I admire most about him.

David Landriault - Editor in Chief 1839

Meet Dzago, the musician and advocate redefining what it means to give back. His story of faith, connection, and inspiration is why The 1839 exists.

26/05/2026

Craig Brown started working when he was twelve years old. He told us so on the last day he was Mayor of Galveston — May 13, with a farewell speech to give that afternoon and a few hours of office left. We asked him what he was most looking forward to in retirement.

"Not having a schedule," he said.

Twelve years on the City Council. Seven as mayor. A hurricane survived. A vision for Pelican Island that quietly reshaped what this island will be for the next half-century. And the thing he was most looking forward to was a Tuesday morning with nothing on it.

Christy and I helped Craig run all three of his mayoral campaigns. On his last day in office he sat down with us for his final interview as mayor. The full conversation is live now at The 1839.

Watch the video, listen to the podcast, or read the accompanying editorial.

— David Landriault, Falcontail

On his last day as mayor, Craig Brown didn't talk about what he built. He talked about everyone else who built it with him.

14/05/2026

Part 5 of 6: A Conversation with Mayor Craig Brown
Cities don't usually get to choose who they are. On May 2, Galveston did.
JP Listowski won the mayor's race by 24 points. Bob Brown won reelection by 25. Jeff Taylor took his seat by 10. All three ran on the same message — end the division, listen to every resident, govern for the whole community.
But an election is a beginning, not an answer. The budget math is real. The bridge isn't built. The housing isn't ready. Thousands of workers are on their way.
What Galveston has — what most cities would trade everything to possess — is a culture that works. Craig Brown built it. Now the people this island chose have to prove they can do the hardest things with it.

The votes are in and Galveston chose cooperation over division. Now comes the work that proves it meant it.

07/04/2026

Craig Brown gave me an analogy near the end of our conversation that I haven't been able to shake.

"It's almost like exercise with someone that's older. Takes you a long time to get in shape. You can drop out of shape very quickly. That's the way cities are."

He was talking about Galveston's culture of cooperation — the thing he spent six years building between the city, the port, the Park Board, the Wharves Board, and the GEDP. The thing that made everything else possible. And he was warning us, plainly, that it can be lost faster than it was built.

This is the tension at the heart of it all. Galveston has never been in a stronger position. The investments are real, the momentum is real, and the institutions are working together in ways Brown says he hasn't seen in 25 years of public service. But none of it is permanent.

The future Craig Brown and his partners built is extraordinary. Whether it holds is up to the people who come next.

Mayor Craig Brown transformed Galveston's economy and rebuilt trust between its institutions. Now he's warning: the culture he built can collapse faster than it was created.

30/03/2026

Part 4 of 6: A Conversation with Mayor Craig Brown
When I sat down with Craig Brown for Part 4 of our series, I did something I don't usually do. I read him the full list — every major investment, every infrastructure project, every milestone from his time as mayor. Not to flatter him. To see what he'd do with it.
Port revenues up nearly 50 percent. Four cruise terminals where there were two. A $730 million shipyard. A $540 million mixed-use development. A $75 million battleship restoration. Billions in waterfront infrastructure. And that's before you get to the drainage work, the wastewater upgrades, the federally funded road resurfacing, and the AI evacuation pilot that most people haven't even heard about yet.
His response? He didn't take credit. He talked about rapport.
"The process is as important as the product."
That one line explains more about Craig Brown's administration than any dollar figure ever could. This installment is about what he built that doesn't show up on a balance sheet — and why it might be the thing that matters most.

Mayor Craig Brown transformed Galveston's economy and rebuilt trust between its institutions. Now he's warning: the culture he built can collapse faster than it was created.

05/03/2026

🚨 BREAKING: Mayor Brown and Port Documents Confirm Federal “Land Bridge” Study Under Consideration for Pelican Island

A major infrastructure decision that could reshape the future of Galveston’s harbor is now coming into focus.

In an interview with The 1839, Mayor Dr. Craig Brown confirmed that local officials are discussing whether to pursue a federal feasibility study for a “land bridge” alternative to the Pelican Island Bridge.

At the same time, documents prepared for the Port of Galveston Wharves Board confirm that trustees will consider whether the Port should request authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct the study.

The issue is expected to be discussed when the Wharves Board meets Tuesday, March 10.

The proposal would evaluate whether a land bridge connection between Galveston Island and Pelican Island could serve as an alternative to the elevated bridge design currently being advanced by TxDOT.

The crossing is the only roadway connection to Pelican Island, home to Texas A&M University at Galveston and a rapidly expanding maritime and industrial corridor that now includes the planned Davie Defense shipbuilding expansion expected to bring thousands of jobs to the region.

City leaders emphasize that Galveston remains committed to working with TxDOT on the existing bridge replacement project, even as the land bridge concept is considered for federal evaluation.

If pursued, the federal feasibility study would examine engineering feasibility, environmental impacts, navigation effects, and long-term economic implications for the harbor. Such studies typically take one to two years to complete.

Full story in the comments.

Mayor Craig Brown confirms the Port of Galveston is considering sponsoring a federal feasibility study for a Pelican Island land bridge.

04/03/2026

The 2025 housing numbers look strong at first glance.

But look closer.

Luxury and water-access neighborhoods accelerated. Condo and attached units declined. Days on market rose island-wide.

Galveston didn’t decline in 2025 — it sorted.

What does that mean for long-time residents, professionals, and families trying to build here?

Galveston’s 2025 housing market grew, but waterfront surged while condos slowed and days on market increased.

28/02/2026

When we went back to the audio from our August sit-down with Bob Brown, we realized a podcast was always the better format for what he had to say. This isn't a sound bite conversation — it's a planning mindset, a long view, an architect's way of thinking about an island.
Hearts of Galveston exists for exactly this.

Link in first comment.

Discover how Galveston shapes its community through the 'Hearts of Galveston' podcast, highlighting local voices and stories.

26/02/2026

Galveston’s housing market grew in 2025.

More homes sold. More dollars changed hands.

But the island didn’t move together.

Waterfront and luxury areas surged. Mid-Island held steady. Condos and lofts pulled back. And homes took longer to sell across the board.

The headline numbers show growth. The deeper story shows separation.

Read the full breakdown in The 1839.
[LINK]

Post 2 — Tale of Two Markets Framing (More Narrative)
It was a strong year for Galveston housing — and a complicated one.

Along the water, demand surged. In other parts of the island, the market slowed and tightened. Condos softened. The middle recalibrated. Buyers took longer to decide.

The 2025 housing data tells a story of one island moving in different directions at the same time.

A tale of two Galvestons.

Galveston’s 2025 housing market grew, but waterfront surged while condos slowed and days on market increased.

24/02/2026

For decades, Galveston's industrial waterfront has been defined by ship repair and offshore services.

That's changing.

A $3.5 billion U.S. Coast Guard contract. Five Arctic Security Cutters. $730M in private capital. 2,400+ jobs across the Texas Gulf Coast. And a $21.8M state grant that helped seal it.
Galveston is now positioned inside the U.S. defense industrial base — building polar-class vessels for some of the harshest waters on earth.

Davie Defense wins Coast Guard contract to build Arctic Security Cutters in Texas, with 2028 delivery target.

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