We made it to double digits! This episode explores the bloody precursor to the town of Sugar Land and takes a look at the forgotten W.C. Munn Department Store that was once among the Houston's largest.

Catfish Reef

On The Start of Sugar land and the WC Munn Store

We share lots of good history about famed Dr. Denton Cooley. There is even a nice exclusive clip of him telling a story from his childhood. Plus JR runs down the arrival of Montgomery Wards, Penney's and Joske's into Houston. It's a top notch episode 9.

On Denton Cooley and Department Store Chains

Episode 8 dips into the history of two topics made even more relevant by recent events. We look at Roy Hofheinz's time as Harris County Judge which began when he was only 24 years old, and we give our up close and personal thoughts on the music venue Fitzgerald's after 41 years of Houston shows. The latter topic includes stories you won't hear anywhere else.

On Roy Hofheinz as county judge and Fitzgerald's

John F. Kennedy made three visits to Houston that warranted national news coverage. We explore the three plus toss around some ideas about what era of Houston history we'd like to visit.

On JFK in Houston and Time Travel

We welcome our first ever guest on Catfish Reef as Mike and JR visit with Story Sloane about history photography in Houston. Also we chat about the flurry of new and refurbished Hispanic murals including the new one at The Heritage Society entitled Mexican-American History & Culture in 20th Century Houston. Plus check out the bonus of JR asking Story Sloane about old color film and prints. 

On Historic Houston Photography and Hispanic Murals

Episode 5 takes us down to the island to look at their great conflagration and introduces listeners to the woman who brought the entertainment world to Houston for half the 20th century.

On the Galveston Fire of 1885 and Edna Saunders

Episode 4 contains a fantastic discovery from the files of the Houston Press in the 1930s, the Kiss of Death Bridge, along with a biographical segment on 19th century African-American minister and educator Jack Yates.

On the Kiss of Death Bridge and Jack Yates

Episode 3 includes some historical background on flooding and hurricanes and some personal memories of JR and Mike plus a bio on sports writer and veterans' activist Ralph "Andy" Anderson.

On Flooding Memories and Ralph "Andy" Anderson

Episode 2 includes talk about Houston's most widely lamented tear down and a biographical piece about an oil wildcatter turned mega-philanthropist.

On Astroworld and Hugh Roy Cullen

The inaugural episode includes an explanation of the podcast title, a bit about the Gulf Hotel Fire of 1943, some Tex-Mex reminiscing and a lot of getting to know the hosts, a pair of native Houstonians with an unparalleled love for their hometown's past.

Catfish Reef Pilot Episode

Catfish Reef is a regular podcast about Houston history in all its diverse glory and ignominy. Hosts Mike Vance and JR Gonzales, two of the most knowledgeable people on the subjects, are joined by occasional guests to share their knowledge of the Bayou City's past. Join us for a relaxed and entertaining learning experience about all things Houston.

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Catfish Reef

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