Galveston, Texas

Galveston is a resort city and port on the Gulf Coast of Texas. It covers an area of 211.31 square miles on Galveston Island and Pelican Island. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 53,695. It is the second-largest municipality in Galveston County and serves as the county seat. Galveston is located at the southern end of the Greater Houston area, on the northwestern coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Galveston was named after 18th-century Spanish leader Bernardo de Gálvez. The first European settlements on Galveston Island were built around 1816 by French pirate Louis-Michel Aury to support the First Mexican Empire. The Port of Galveston was established in 1825 by the Congress of Mexico. The city was an important port for the Texas Navy during the Texas Revolution in 1836 and later served as the capital of the Republic of Texas. In 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived at Ashton Villa and announced that slavery was no longer legal to some of the last enslaved African Americans. This event is remembered each year on June 19, the holiday known as Juneteenth.

During the 1800s, Galveston became a major commercial center and one of the largest ports in the United States. The city was damaged by a big storm in 1900, which caused severe flooding and nearly destroyed the town. The city later became a popular tourist spot during the time of Prohibition in the early 1900s, known for its entertainment and activities. This period ended in the 1950s, after which the city continued to grow and develop.

Much of Galveston's economy is based on tourism, health care, shipping, and financial services. The University of Texas Medical Branch is an important part of the city's economy. Galveston has six historic districts with many important 19th-century buildings, some of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and cared for by the National Park Service in the United States Department of the Interior.

History

Main article: History of Galveston, Texas

Exploration and 19th-century development

Indigenous people called Galveston Island "Auia". In 1528, explorer Cabeza de Vaca and his crew were shipwrecked nearby, perhaps on Galveston Island. Spanish explorer José de Evia charted the area in 1785, naming water features around the island. Later, Stephen F. Austin and others began calling the eastern part of the island "Galveston."

The island’s first permanent European settlers arrived around 1816. In 1817, pirate Jean Lafitte used Galveston as a base. In 1825, Mexico established the Port of Galveston. By 1836, it became the capital of the Republic of Texas. The city grew quickly, with many new residents, including German immigrants.

Galveston saw many important firsts, like having the state’s first post office in 1836 and the first Masonic chapter in Texas in 1840. During the Civil War, Confederate forces took control of the city.

Hurricane of 1900 and recovery

On September 8, 1900, a huge hurricane struck Galveston, causing great damage. The city built a long seawall to protect against future storms. Despite these efforts, Galveston never returned to its former level of importance. New developments, like the Houston Ship Channel, drew business away.

In the early 1900s, Galveston worked to recover. New groups of immigrants, including Jewish families from Eastern Europe, helped rebuild the city. However, another major hurricane in 1915 brought more damage, though the new seawall helped protect the island.

After World War II

After World War II, changes came to Galveston. Enforcing laws against certain activities reduced tourism. By the 1950s, Houston had become more important than Galveston.

In 1947, a big explosion at a nearby port caused damage in Galveston. Over time, the city focused on health care, insurance, and education. Efforts to preserve historic buildings helped bring back tourism in a new way. In 1961, Hurricane Carla caused damage and created a tornado.

In 2008, Hurricane Ike struck Galveston, damaging buildings along the seawall. After the storm, the island was rebuilt with a focus on tourism, shipping, education, and health care. New projects like a historic pleasure pier were added, and a new type of drawbridge was built.

Geography

Further information: Galveston Island and Galveston Bay

Galveston is a city on Galveston Island, which is near the coast of Texas. The island is made of sand, with some mud and gravel, and its shape changes because of water and weather.

Galveston is about 45 miles southeast of downtown Houston. The island goes from northeast to southwest. The Gulf of Mexico is to the east and south, West Bay is to the west, and Galveston Bay is to the north. The main way to get to the island from the mainland is by using Interstate Highway 45, which crosses West Bay.

A deep water channel connects Galveston's harbor to the Gulf and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The city covers 211.31 square miles, with 41.04 square miles of land and 170.27 square miles of water. The island is 50 miles southeast of Houston.

The western part of Galveston is called the "West End." Some places in the eastern part of the island are Havre Lafitte and Fort Crockett. In the past, many people in the West End used golf carts to get around.

Galveston has several historic districts with many old buildings. The Silk Stocking District has homes from the Civil War through World War II. The Strand District, known for its Victorian buildings, is a popular spot for tourists and has festivals. It includes the Grand 1894 Opera House and Bishop's Palace, both famous landmarks.

Since the early 1900s, Galveston has been called the "Oleander City" because of its many oleander shrubs. These plants bloom beautifully between April and October, adding color to the city. Oleanders are tough plants, able to survive heat, salt spray, and sandy soil, which helps the city after hurricanes. Galveston has many types of oleanders and holds an Oleander festival each spring.

Galveston's climate is humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Summer temperatures often go above 90 °F, while winter highs are usually above 60 °F. Snow is rare, but the area gets plenty of rain each year. Hurricanes can be a threat in the summer and fall.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Galveston had a population of 53,695.

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

The median age in Galveston was 42.7 years. About 17.5% of residents were under the age of 18, and 19.7% were 65 years or older. For every 100 females, there were 99.2 males.

There were 23,375 households in Galveston, with 12,505 families. About 21.5% of households had children under 18 living in them.

There were 34,259 housing units, with 31.8% being vacant. Most residents, 98.0%, lived in urban areas.

Economy

Port of Galveston

The Port of Galveston, also called Galveston Wharves, began as a trading post in 1825. Today, it covers 850 acres and is located on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The port handles many types of cargo and is where cruise ships start their trips to the Caribbean. Many large ships have called it home over the years.

Finance

American National Insurance Company, a major life insurance company, is based in Galveston. Moody National Bank is one of Texas’ largest privately owned banks and is headquartered in downtown Galveston.

Tourism

Galveston was known as the "Playground of the South" in the late 1800s. It is still a favorite place for visitors. The city has many places to stay and lots to see, such as a historic pier, a waterpark, a botanical garden, museums, and beautiful beaches. Galveston holds special events like a Mardi Gras festival and a Christmas festival named Dickens on the Strand. It is also a popular spot for cruise ships on the Gulf Coast.

Arts and culture

Galveston Arts Center

The Galveston Arts Center began in 1986. It shows modern art, often from Texas artists, and has free programs for everyone. One big event is called Galveston ArtWalk.

The center is in an old building from 1878 on the Strand. This building survived a big storm in 1900 but was damaged in 2008. After collecting money, the building was repaired, and the center returned in 2015.

Galveston ArtWalk

ArtWalk happens about every six weeks on Saturday evenings. The Galveston Arts Center makes a guide with a map and information about the art shows. Venues include the center, artist studios, and galleries. Art is also shown in coffee shops or outdoors at a market on Market Street. Musicians perform outside and in places like the Proletariat Gallery & Public House or Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe. Most events are downtown, but some are elsewhere on the island.

Sculpture

Some well-known statues and sculptures in Galveston are:

• 1900 Storm Memorial, by David W. Moore
• Birth, by Arthur Williams
• Dignified Resignation by Louis Amateis at the Galveston County Courthouse. It shows a sailor with his back to the US flag and carrying a Confederate flag.
• Dolphins by David W. Moore
• High Tide, by Charles Parks
• Jack Johnson, by Adrienne Isom
• Pink Dolphin Monument, by Joe Joe Orangias
• Texas Heroes Monument, by Louis Amateis
• Hope, by Doug McLean

Music and performing arts

Galveston has the Galveston Symphony Orchestra, with both amateur and professional musicians, started in 1979.

The Galveston Ballet is a regional ballet group and school. They perform a full-length ballet in the spring and a mixed program in the fall at the Grand 1894 Opera House.

Artist residency

The Galveston Artist Residency gives studio and living space to three artists each year. They work in different ways and show their art in the residency’s gallery and courtyards. The residency is in old industrial buildings on the west side of downtown. They also host performances and events.

The National Hotel Artist Lofts is a special place for artists to live and work. It was made from an old building that was empty for twenty years. Originally built in 1870 as the Tremont Opera House, it now serves many purposes, including offices and stores. Under Becky Major, the front space became a place for art and music, reopening in May 2015 as the Proletariat Gallery & Public House. This bar and gallery is used for art shows, events, and live music.

Government

City government

After a big storm in 1900, Galveston made a new plan for how the city would be run. Today, the city uses a council-manager system. The city council makes the rules, and the city manager takes care of the daily work. There is also a court system for legal matters.

The city council has six members who are elected from different parts of the city, and the mayor is also elected. They choose the city manager and other important workers. The city manager helps with planning, budgeting, and carrying out the council’s decisions. Craig Brown is the current mayor of Galveston.

County, state, and federal government

Galveston is the most important city in Galveston County and has the county’s main offices. The county’s court and jail are on 59th street, and the office for civil matters is near downtown.

Galveston is part of District 23 of the Texas House of Representatives, represented by Mayes Middleton. Most of the city is in District 17 of the Texas Senate, represented by Joan Huffman, while a small part is in District 11, represented by Larry Taylor. At the federal level, Galveston is in Texas’s 14th congressional district, represented by Randy Weber.

Education

Main article: Education in Galveston, Texas

Galveston has many places for learning. The University of Texas Medical Branch began in 1891 with one building and fewer than 50 students. Today, it has many buildings and over 2,500 students. The campus has schools of medicine, nursing, health professions, and a graduate school. It also has hospitals and research centers.

The city is home to Galveston College, which opened in 1967, and Texas A&M University at Galveston, a special school focused on the ocean.

Galveston's public schools are run by the Galveston Independent School District. This includes several elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school named Ball High School. There is also a special middle school and some charter schools.

Private schools in Galveston include Holy Family Catholic School and O’Connell College Preparatory School, along with other schools.

Media

The Daily News is the main newspaper in Galveston and the oldest one still printed in Texas. It started in 1842. It is the official newspaper for the city. Another newspaper, the Texas City Post, is the official one for the county. Radio station KGBC broadcast from 1947 to 2010. Television station KHOU began broadcasting on March 23, 1953, and was originally named KGUL-TV. Actor James Stewart was one of its early investors. In 1959, KGUL changed its name to KHOU and moved its main office to Houston. Locals sometimes call Galveston "G-town".

Infrastructure

Healthcare

Galveston has several big hospitals that teach new doctors at the University of Texas Medical Branch. Before a big storm called Hurricane Ike, over 12,000 people worked there. The storm hurt one of the main hospitals, but plans were made to fix it and build new ones. By 2009, many hospital rooms had opened again. There is also a special hospital just for helping children with serious burns.

Fire department

The Galveston Fire Department keeps the city safe from fires with six stations and many vehicles. The Galveston Police Department has been protecting the city for over 165 years with many officers.

Library

The city has a big public library called the Rosenberg Library, which is the oldest in Texas. It also helps run libraries in the whole county.

Transportation

Sea

Galveston has old ships you can visit, like the tall ship Elissa and two famous warships. It is a popular place for cruises.

Air

Scholes International Airport at Galveston is used mainly for small planes and some special flights. Bigger airplanes fly from Houston.

Railroad

There is a small railroad that helps move cargo in Galveston. The city used to have trains that went to far places, but now people take buses to Houston for train trips.

Roads

The streets in Galveston were laid out in a grid, with letters for east-west roads and numbers for north-south roads. A big highway, Interstate 45, starts in Galveston and leads to Houston. There are also smaller roads and a ferry that connect Galveston to nearby areas.

Transit

The city has buses and a trolley to help people get around.

Sports

Galveston had many baseball teams over the years, playing in different leagues and at many ballparks.

Notable people

Galveston has been home to many important people in Texas and U.S. history. Long ago, it was the home of Jean Lafitte, a famous pirate and hero of the War of 1812. Richard Bache, Jr., who settled in Galveston in 1842, was another important person. He was the grandson of Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

More recently, Barry White, a Grammy-award-winning singer, was born on the island. George P. Mitchell, a pioneer of modern oil technology, was also born and raised in Galveston. Many other famous people, including actors, athletes, and business leaders, have connections to this city.

In media and literature

Galveston has been featured in many songs, movies, and books. The song "Galveston" was written by Jimmy Webb and sung by Glen Campbell. Movies such as 4 for Texas and Night Game are set in Galveston. A character from the TV show The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon Cooper, was born there. Books like Galveston by Sean Stewart and The Drowning House by Elizabeth Black tell stories about the city. The film The Shallows uses Galveston as the main character’s hometown. The Magnolia Network has a show called Restoring Galveston about home restoration projects there. In the 2024 Netflix film Saving Bikini Bottom: The Sandy Cheeks Movie, characters travel to Galveston on an adventure.

Sister cities

Galveston has special friendly connections, called sister cities, with places in other countries. These include:

• Macharaviaya, Spain
• Niigata, Japan
• Stavanger, Norway
• Veracruz, Mexico

Some older connections are no longer active as of 2018:

• Trivandrum, India
• Armavir, Armenia