The histories, mysteries, and beautiful wonders surrounding La Porte, Texas, have been written about for decades. While it is not possible to mention every writer or author of La Porte lore, the following are a few whose works contribute to preserving the history of La Porte, Texas.
La Porte’s First Historian – Mary Gertrude Ackerly
Gertrude and her family arrived in La Porte, Texas, in 1914. Her husband, Ves, had a barber shop on Main Street. Over the years, Gertrude wore the hats of wife, mother, dressmaker, business owner, friend, first PTA president, newspaper reporter, school cafeteria worker, and lastly, historian.
In 1947, she began documenting the early years of La Porte while there were still early pioneers around to tell the story firsthand. She ended the last years of her life diligently chronicling the early history of the city she loved — La Porte, Texas.
Historian – Gordon Black
Grandson of Gertrude Ackerly, Gordon Black was born in La Porte, Texas, in 1930. He was the son of Arbella Ackerly Black, Gertrude’s second-oldest daughter. A 1948 graduate of La Porte High School, an Eagle Scout, and a Lions Club member. He spent much of his childhood with his grandmother.
In 1951, he married Cherie Bolen and raised his family in La Porte. He was a dedicated supporter of his community. Gordon became a charter member of the La Porte-Bay Area Heritage Society. In 1979, he became a key player in securing the old depot buildings for restoration and establishing the La Porte Depot Museum.
In the 1980s, he was appointed by Judge John Lindsay to the Harris County Historical Commission and worked diligently in the certification and placement of markers at historical sites around town and the surrounding area.
In 1991, he was honored by the City of La Porte as the official historian of La Porte, Texas. His newspaper column “The Way It Was” featured stories about La Porte’s history based on his grandmother’s writings and was published in the La Porte Bayshore Sun during the 1980s until he died in 1991.
Historian – Erna Beth Seamman Foxworth
Born in La Porte, Texas, Erna grew up swimming, sailing, and dancing to the music of the big bands that played at Sylvan Beach pavilion during the 1920s. She was known as the first female deejay in Beaumont, Texas, during the 1930s, worked as a newspaper and magazine columnist for several years, and was the mother of actor Robert Foxworth.
Her book The Romance of Old Sylvan Beach – A Hundred Years of Amusement and Nostalgia was published by Water Way Press, Capital Printing Co., Austin, Texas, in 1986, which coincided with the re-opening of the Sylvan Beach Pavilion.
Historians – Ann Uloth Malone and Dan Becker
Co-authors of two pictorial history books of La Porte, Texas:
Around La Porte, published in 2011, followed by Old Sylvan Beach and the Pavilions, published in 2014. Both books are part of the Images of America series by Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, S.C.
Historian – Georgia Malone
Daughter of La Porte historian, Mary Ann Uloth Malone, and long-time La Porte Mayor Norman L. Malone, she is a 1972 La Porte High School graduate. She has served as La Porte City Council member from 2007 to 2009, as a board member of the La Porte-Bay Area Heritage Society from 2011 to 2018, and docent for the La Porte Historic Depot Museum. She graduated from Texas Christian University’s School of Engineering Science with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and has over 15 years of experience as a criminal defense paralegal and investigator. Born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in the heart of the Texas Medical Center, she comes from a family with deep roots in Houston, as her parents were Houstonians from the Denver Harbor Addition (also known as Podunk) in the 5th Ward. Growing up in Lomax, she developed a strong connection to local history.
Following in her mother’s footsteps, as a second-generation La Porte historian and family genealogist, she employs her investigative skills and natural intuition to uncover the stories of the past and write the missing chapters of its history.
“I don’t profess to be an expert in all things La Porte. There’s always going to be that one person who knows a little more. But what I can say is, if I write about it, I guarantee you I’ve researched the heck out of it first. If someone has something to add, then it’ll make for a better story.”
Georgia Malone, Historian
