LOCAL
c i ty l i g h ts
Remembering Galveston’s Balinese Room by Dolores Mosser
T
he life-size storefront silhouettes of musicians on Galveston’s Market Street suggest an entertainment venue for partygoers. However, upon entering the Maceo Original Spice and Import Company, you experience the aroma of spices from around the world. Established in 1944, the humble shop features spices and recipe ingredients, a small deli and shop walls covered with Maceo family artifacts. Few patrons know the “Maceo” name has legendary status in Galveston. Originally from the island of Sicily, Rosario “Papa Rose” Maceo and Salvatore “Big Sam” 20
AUTHENTIC TEXAS
Maceo were affluent Galveston businessmen by day and organized crime bosses by night. Sam, the handsome entrepreneur, and Rose, the muscleman, operated as major players in the “gray area” between solid citizens and the outlaw world of Galveston, Texas. Although crime is not generally a component in weaving the historic fabric of American cities, Galveston gets high marks for embracing the presence of scoundrels. Islanders speak well of “colorful characters” and “notorious” places and events. Historically, with a shipping economy, as money and goods flowed through the port city,
GALVESTON
INDEPENDENCE TRAIL REGION
