Ever wonder how a county could be named after someone who never set foot there? That is the story of Galveston County.
Galveston County has a rich history. It stretches from its early days to modern efforts to keep its story alive. Before the devastating 1900 storm, Galveston was the second richest city per capita in the United States. It earned the nickname the Wall Street of the South because of its successful banking industry and The Strand.
Galveston has over 100 Texas firsts. It boasts Texas’ first bank and first post office. Galveston got its name from Bernardo de Galvez. He was a Spanish Colonial governor. In 1786, he ordered the first survey of the Texas Gulf Coast. Oddly, de Galvez never stepped foot on the island. Jose de Evia was the surveyor. He named Galveston Bay in honor of Galvez. This led to the island’s name.
The Karankawa Indians were the first inhabitants of Galveston in the 16th century. Cabeza de Vaca was the island’s first noted visitor. He was a shipwrecked Spanish explorer. In 1528, he was forced to live among the Karankawa. He served as a medicine man and slave.
Later, corsairs like Jean Lafitte visited. In 1817, he built the small colony of Campeche. He used it as a base to raid Spanish merchant ships. These ships passed through the Gulf. After a decade, he fled. He burned down the community he built. Rumors say his treasures are buried on the island.
Founded in 1838, Galveston established prosperity. It had a natural deep-water port. Trade routes expanded throughout the region. Industries like cotton developed leading up to the Great Storm of 1900. The people of Galveston Island became a key part of the state and region’s growth. They welcomed immigrants from around the world. These immigrants settled locally and moved regionally. They established themselves nationally.
Michel B. Menard bought seven square miles of land in 1836. This became the City of Galveston. That year, Texas gained independence from Mexico. It became a republic. Business flourished. Galveston became a major U.S. commercial center. It was one of the largest ports in the United States. It was second to Ellis Island as an immigration port. By 1885, it was the largest and richest city in Texas.
Juneteenth is a national holiday. It celebrates the end of slavery for southern slaves in Galveston. This happened two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This historic event holds a special place in United States and African American history. On June 19, 1865, Union Army Major General Gordon Granger issued General Order No. 3 in Galveston. He announced the freedom of over 250000 enslaved Black people in Texas. They were one of the last groups of slaves to be freed in the United States.
The Great Storm hit Galveston on September 8, 1900. It was the worst natural disaster ever recorded in North America. Few evacuated before the bridges to the mainland collapsed. Over 6000 lives were lost. Estimates vary. Residents had little warning to evacuate. This was due to a lack of storm monitoring equipment. Surging seas and high winds enveloped the island.
After the storm, Galveston raised most of the island 17 feet. This created Seawall Boulevard. It took about eight years to complete raising 500 city blocks. It was all done by hand. This prevented damage from future storms. People walked on raised wooden sidewalks during construction. This included building 2000 homes.
The Storm led to the development of the Seawall. It also shifted away from being a trade center. It became an entertainment and gambling hub. The Balinese Room was a popular haunt. It was a famous nightclub on the pier. It hosted big names like Frank Sinatra. It was also an illegal casino. This invited mob activity. Hurricane Ike destroyed the structure on September 13, 2008.
The Galveston Historical Foundation sought to preserve local historic buildings in 1957. They developed the Strand Historic District. Galveston gradually became geared toward family-oriented tourism. It remains so today.
Today, Galveston boasts top schools and historic districts. These districts feature beautifully restored Victorian homes and hotels. An array of restaurants and activities attract over seven million visitors annually. Galveston was known as the Playground of the South in the late 1800s. It remains an important leisure area today. Schlitterbahn Waterpark, the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, and Moody Gardens are popular. There is also much culture to take in. Museums cater to children and adults. There is also theater and live music. Do not forget the beaches.
Galveston is unlike the rest of Texas. It is often called the Republic of Galveston Island by its residents. Come explore Galveston County. Experience its unique charm. Discover why it is truly special.