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GALVESTON ISLAND: Past and Present
A great part of Galveston’s appeal is its rich and exciting past. It gleams with the luster of antique silver rather than the gaudy chrome of some newer cities. Its first inhabitants were the Karankawa Indians in the 16th century and the first noted visitor was Cabeza de Vaca, the Spanish explorer, who landed in 1528. The known pirate, Jean Lafitte, made Galveston his home in 1817, working in Spanish merchant shipping. Supposedly his treasure exists somewhere on the Island.
It was ten years until the first American colonists arrived in 1827. The City of Galveston was born in 1836, the year Texas gained its independence from Mexico and became a republic. Michel B. Menard, Canadian fur trader, purchased seven square miles of land for $50,000—this land became the City of Galveston. The first home on Galveston Island, the Menard House, is still standing in regal elegance today on 33rd Street, near Avenue O. Galveston Historical Foundation manages the property for its current owners. Galveston’s Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1845, making it the oldest chamber in the state of Texas.
Galveston’s growth was more or less non-stop with its natural seaport leading to business opportunities in shipping, imports and rail. In 1885, it was the largest and richest city in the state. In the late 1800s, The Strand was the banking, retail and shipping hub of the area, and was known throughout the country as the Wall Street of the Southwest Galveston has many “firsts” in the state as referenced elsewhere in this website. The Galveston Daily News became the state’s oldest daily newspaper.
While tropical storms have occasionally battered the island coastline, the torrential hurricane known as the 1900 Storm hit Galveston on September 8, 1900. The swelling seas and high winds leveled many blocks and took over 6,000 lives. Despite the horrific loss, Islanders didn’t waste time in rebuilding their Island and ensuring its protection from future storms by building the 16-foot high seawall along the beachfront. Behind the seawall became a dynamic effort to raise the grade of the Island. This was an incredible engineering feat as well as expense for the time in history.
Galveston went through a difficult time as the major seaport for the region diminished as Houston aggressively sought the rail and shipping businesses while the Island was still recovering from its tragedy. It was a good number of years before The Strand experienced a revival. The Strand National Historic Landmark District received national recognition for its restored Victorian architecture, and the district has set the standard for historic restoration in other communities.
Over recent years the Island’s port has again become very active. Currently Galveston has become a major port for cruise ships, and the Island economy has diversified by adding medical research, the insurance industry, education, and an excellent tourism base, giving the economy more stability and strength.
The tenacity of the Island residents, like their predecessors, has proven to be as strong today as it was in 1900. In September 2008 the Island was struck by Hurricane Ike where rising water and wind caused extensive damage, but residents and business owners are rapidly rebuilding and recovering. Galveston had a great spirit in its early history, and again exercises it now.
Seven million visitors a year come to Galveston. They are attracted to the same features that brought visitors 100 years ago—the Island’s natural beauty, first-class hotels and restaurants, the arts, cultural activities and recreational attractions.
Be part of Galveston’s history. . .
Sources: Bob’s Reader by Bob Nesbitt, Galveston historian;
Galveston Chamber of Commerce
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