He gets his ‘jollies and kicks’ from Baytown history

Russell Hamman stands in front of historic photos of Baytown at Sterling Municipal Library.

“I was born and raised in Baytown. When I look back on my teenage years, I think about Texas Avenue. The movies I saw. Hanging out with my buddies. Checking out the pretty girls driving by. It was like ‘American Graffiti’ via Baytown.

“But when I was 16, if you would have told me that when I’m 52 I’d get my jollies and my kicks from Baytown history, I would have told you to put a bullet in me. I’m glad nobody did. I just have a passion for my hometown and its history.

“I didn’t do all that well in school, but I could have. The teachers always said I was bright enough. I was just too busy being a hippie and all that entailed.

“But my love for history started in high school. There was a teacher, Joe Herzik, and he made it fun. I have this fascination with it now. I think Baytown history is so cool. I don’t know how else to put it.

“Working on my site, I learn something new every day. And I’ve found that if you make it fun, cool and interesting, folks will tend to remember it more.”

— Russell Hamman