Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

richardsfault · **Galveston bunkers -** 10-01-2009, 11:44 AM

A few years ago, a local phographer did a series of model shoots at some abandoned ammunition and/or shore artillery bunkers in Galveston.

That photographer was a bit of an adventurer and risk-taker, and I'm taking that into account.

Recently a model with who I have worked in the past has suggested checking them out to judge suitability for later shoots.

Info on one of them is on this Urban Exploration site:

http://www.uer.ca/forum_showthread_a...threadid=24601

I'd appreciate any feedback on legality, dangers (the above link mentions a few), and whether these are worthwhile to consider as locations.

CFord · 10-01-2009, 12:01 PM

I am pretty sure you are referring to Fort Travis and it is actually in Boliver and not Galveston itself. I have shot down there several times and have always asked before going. I wasn't doing any hard core modeling shots but more family/engagement type work and they have always said yes as long as I followed the park rules and didn't cause a problem for anyone else at the park. I haven't done anything down there since before IKE so I would definitely recommend calling them to make sure they are still operational and that their haven't changed. As for dangers it can be but no more dangerous than shooting in any area around Houston. Look for broken glass, snakes, poisonous plants etc before shooting and take plenty of bug spray. They are fairly serious about crossing the fences that have been erected around some of the bunkers so keep that in mind.

wclavey · 10-01-2009, 01:05 PM

I have not been to Fort Travis since Ike, so my comment about the fences may not hold...

The actual interesting architecture of the bunkers is inside of a fenced off area around each bunker. On one of the bunkers, the fence had partially come down, and by walking on the sea wall you could get access to the inside of the fenced off area, but I am not suggesting that you do that... if the park staff come by that will tell you to get out. Of course, Ike may have changed the landscape of fences...

There is one, less interesting structure in the middle of the park that you have access to, but it does not have the look of the in-ground bunkers. It has cool doors, though!

venchka · 10-01-2009, 01:44 PM

The mostly earth on the waterside & concrete behind a fence on the landside structure directly opposite the entrance and parallel to the waterline is the one I climbed up and around on. Easy access to the rooftop concrete and earth surroundint the waterside. We were there in April 2006 or 2007. Before Ike for sure. There were a lot of wildflowers. Cactus blooming. Honesysuckle. Hit the ferry early. The wait from Galveston to Boliver was brutal at midday. It might be better now. Coming back around 4pm-ish was easy.

Be safe. Have fun.

wclavey · 10-01-2009, 02:02 PM

Richard, I should have added - - I have been there 5 times (the last being last summer with my son - - he did not find the vistas as compelling as I did!) and I'm always interested in going back. Please report back what you find as the condition, if you decide to go. Thanks.

tropicpine · 10-01-2009, 04:05 PM

There are(or at least were) gun emplacments and adjoining bunkers on Galveston Island. There used to be one at the site of the San Louis Resort. Twenty some odd years ago you could freely walk thru these. I would guess the San Louis Resort has developed over them. You could always call and ask.

Z_Malloc · **So so to see..... -** 10-02-2009, 01:20 PM

Went to the ones at the very eastern end of the Galveston seaweall at Boddecker drive.. The big emplacements are about two hundred yards to the west and you can see them from the parking lot.

Observations: A lot of "job challenged" people are fishing there and they appear just as likely to fish as burglarize you car in the parking lot. Also, I ran into a guy who was "residentially challenged" camping in the gun emplacements.

He was quite harmless and entertaining to chat with as I photographed the concrete.

Only real concern (for me, your mileage may vary) was the mosquitos. They are quite large and quite numerous, so "off" spray was mandatory.

There is a ton of ike trash scattered about as well as trash in and around the concrete area, but if you like old abandoned things, this is on the "fair to look at if you are in the neighborhood but I wouldn't make a special trip out of it" category of trips.

I think you would be better going to the old Fort that is on the north side of the Bolivar ferry. Government maintained.......and I saw no one there yesterday.

I have some pictures if anyone is interested.....

AllenAyres · 10-03-2009, 10:32 AM

We used to go to Fort Travis fairly often, usually on the weekends and at night. We'd get a campfire going in one of the turret basins and just goof-off - the mosquitoes will swarm you and carry you off with or without Off

JStrattonPhotography · 10-16-2009, 12:53 PM

I would LOVE to see photographs. I plan on taking a trip down there as soon as I have a weekend off.

richardsfault · 08:59 AM

Checked out two bunkers today at the Fort San Jacinto Historic Point near the Seawall Blvd. east beach dead end:

richardsfault added 548 Minutes and 14 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z_Malloc

Went to the ones at the very eastern end of the Galveston seaweall at Boddecker drive.. The big emplacements are about two hundred yards to the west and you can see them from the parking lot.

Observations: A lot of "job challenged" people are fishing there and they appear just as likely to fish as burglarize you car in the parking lot. Also, I ran into a guy who was "residentially challenged" camping in the gun emplacements.

I'm happy to say that I didn't sense any bad intentions with the people that were there during my visit. They seemed much the same as fishermen that I often encounter during Barker and Addicks Reservoir shoots.

I noticed no evidence of "residents", but did see a condom, beer bottles, and other evidence of the places being put to the expected "good use".

Mosquitoes were there but I've seen worse.

There were traces of "hurricane smell" all over the island, the same odor that was overpowering in the Port Arthur area a year ago. The bunker further inland with the "1942" incription was partially filled with dry dirt and only had about a 5 foot clearance.

Overall, I got the feeling that the locals were more inclined to not notice shooting and were more "laid back" than in some other places I've shot at.