The Traveling Fool’s Gentleman’s Tour

October 13th, 2025 in History, Outdoors, Things to Do

two men fishing the levy on pleasure island in port arthur

No Fooling, This Guy Loves History

Travel writer Bob Bales loves a good cigar and some history. We invited this solo fella to what he calls “the far corner of the the state,” just a bridge crossing away from Louisiana. His shares his adventures in Exploring the Cajun Capital of Texas, his blog on The Traveling Fool.

Here’s some highlights from a guy who likes to deep dive into a city’s history.

Railroad, Seaport, Resort

Arthur E. Stillwell, a railroad magnate, envisioned a bustling seaport and resort city. Incorporated in 1898, the Spindletop oil discovery in 1901 shifted the area’s future, Bales writes. “By 1916, the city housed the world’s first oil refinery, cementing its role as a petrochemical powerhouse, with the Motiva Refinery—North America’s largest—still operating today,” he writes.

History Preserved

With characters ranging from the Barbed-Wire King and “Bet-a-Million” Gates, to Janis Joplin and Robert Rauschenberg, Port Arthur has some history going on. Gates Memorial Library, Pompeiian Villa, Rose Hill, Tex Ritter Park, La Maison Acadienne, and the Dutch Windmill Museum and La Maison Beausoleil are some history hotspots on this journey.

Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site

“Known as one of the most lopsided battles of the war, the Battle of Sabine Pass, on Sep 8, 1863, ended in a Union defeat,” Bales writes. The history buff notes “Dick” Dowling’s Civil War victory at Sabine Pass. Story boards on site tell the story. The Sabine Pass Lighthouse is visible from the battleground.

Golden Triangle Veterans Memorial Park

The Golden Triangle refers to the oil and waterways wealth in Port Arthur, Beaumont and Orange. We’re “golden.” Bales, who is retired from the military, took in the park’s displays including a McDonnel Douglas F4D Phantom Jet, tanks and artillery guns. Thousands of names who served, died and went missing are inscribed at the park. Sections honor those in the Spanish American War, Korea, WW2, Global War on Terrorism and all major conflicts.

The Faith Trail

In the Cajun Capital, Bales also hit our Faith Trail, taking in places of worship for Port Arthur’s Mexican-American, Vietnamese and other cultures. Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, Queen of Peace and Buu Mon Buddhist Temple are highlighted. He especially details peaceful paths and gardens with bamboo and fruit trees at the Temple.