Raz Halili grew up in San Leon and is the vice president of Prestige Oysters, a Gulf oyster company his family founded and owns. Last year, he opened Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House, 113 Sixth St. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

A Texas historical marker stands at the site of “Maison Rouge,” Laffite’s stronghold on Harborside Drive in Galveston. Spellings of Laffite’s name varies. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds

Andy Hall, a marine steward with the Texas Historical Commission, holds a painting of the Texas Navy ship Invincible. The schooner sank off East Beach in Galveston Island in 1837. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

Craig Watt is the owner and creator of Terror Isle, a haunted attraction in Texas City. Ghoulish pirates are a motif found throughout the attraction. Photo by Stuart Villanueva

Using action figures, foam board insulation and household items, Matt Gonzalez creates dioramas of scenes from his favorite movies and video games. Photo by Jennifer Reynolds

(Clockwise from top left) Oxtails and gravy with a side of cabbage and collard greens with smoked turkey from Johnae’s Soulfood in Dickinson; The Creole Connection from Big Phil’s Soul & Creole Café in Texas City featuring fried catfish with a creamy Creole sauce over dirty rice; Bryan-Keyth Wilson’s peach cobbler and homemade ice cream; Oilicia Alexander’s macaroni and cheese. Photos by Jennifer Reynolds

Galvestonians, from right, Tommie D. Boudreaux, Ella Lewis, Alice Gatson and Greg Samford have co-authored the book, “Lost Restaurants of Galveston’s African American Community.” Photo by Stuart Villanueva

Jason Lee’s book “Galveston” features 100 color and black-and-white film photographs focusing on all parts of the island. The Galveston Historical Foundation commissioned Lee to capture the images to commemorate the organization’s 150th anniversary. Courtesy photo