Galveston in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Carmelo "Charles" Bertolino
(September 4, 1887 - March 8, 1960)
Photographed By Jim Evans
1. Carmelo "Charles" Bertolino Marker
Born in Galveston in 1887, Carmelo Bertolino was the son of Salvatore Bertolino (d.1891) and Rosalia Trapani Bertolino (d.1942), who immigrated to Texas from Palermo, Italy in the early 1880s. Salvatore Bertolino drowned in Galveston Bay when Carmelo was three years old.Carmelo married Mabel Cousins (1894-1937) in 1911 and became the head of a large family. He worked as a fisherman and as a baker at Graugnard's Bakery. He was an athletic man who swam in the Gulf every day until he was past 70 years of age. A volunteer lifesaver, he is credited with saving more than 500 people from drowning during his lifetime. The tragedy of that type of death had touched his own family; in addition to his father, he lost a brother and a son to accidental drownings in Galveston waters.
Carmelo Bertolino was in Italy during the disastrous 1900 storm, but during the 1915 hurricane he was able to save many lives. His heroic efforts later were noted in official citations from the Texas Legislature and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. A monument in his honor was erected shortly after his death, and the Galveston City Council named 10th Street
this page online
Erected 1994 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 107.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Heroes. A significant historical year for this entry is 1887.
Location. 29° 18.03′ N, 94° 46.548′ W. Marker is in Galveston, Texas, in Galveston County. Marker is at the intersection of Seawall Boulevard and 10th Street, on the right when traveling east on Seawall Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Galveston TX 77550, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Boddeker House (approx. 0.3 miles away); General Sidney Sherman (approx. 0.3 miles away); Wegner House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Best-Lucas House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Powhatan and Mattie Wren House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sacred Heart Church (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Marius Etienne Chataignon (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Bishop's Palace (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galveston.
Photographed By Jim Evans
2. Carmelo "Charles" Bertolino Marker
In this photo the marker can be seen across the highway and between the two signs.
Photographed By Jim Evans, December 1, 2013
3. Carmelo "Charles" Bertolino Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 920 times since then and 163 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 18, 2019, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 2. submitted on May 19, 2020, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 3. submitted on December 2, 2013, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
