History of Galveston, Texas

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Downtown Galveston as viewed from the air.

The history of

Major General John B. Magruder attacked and expelled occupying Union
troops from the city.

During the mid-19th century, Galveston emerged as an international city with immigration and trade from around the U.S. and the world. The city became one of the nation's busiest ports and the world's leading port for cotton exports. Galveston became Texas' largest city and, during that era, was its prime commercial center. In 1900, the island was struck by a devastating hurricane. Even post-Hurricane Katrina, this event holds the record as the United States' deadliest natural disaster.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the city re-emerged as a major tourist destination centered on casinos and other vice businesses. Featuring venues, such as the famed Balinese Room, the city became nationally known as the sin city of the Gulf. The illegal businesses were finally closed in the 1950s, leading to a long, stagnant economic period. Many businesses relocated off of the island, though some, such as the insurance businesses and the medical school, remained.

The city gradually re-emerged as a tourist destination centered on its history and its historical buildings. New tourist attractions were established and further development of the medical school and other area businesses have revitalized the economy in recent decades.

Exploration and settlement

Bernardo de Gálvez, Count of Gálvez

Galveston Island was originally inhabited by members of the

Cabeza de Vaca and his crew were shipwrecked on the island (or nearby) in November 1528,[2] calling it "Isla de Malhado" ("Isle of Doom"), and from there began his famous trek to Mexico.[3] Various Spanish explorers charting the region referred to the island as "Isla Blanca" ("White Island") and later "Isla de Aranjuez" ("Aranjuez Island").[4] In 1685 French explorer La Salle named the island "San Louis" ("Saint Louis") and the name became fixed for some time.[4]

The earliest known map of the island and the bay was made by French explorer Bénard de La Harpe in 1721, who left the island unnamed but named the bay "Port François".

Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Count of Gálvez.[3] The name San Luis for the island continued to be used by the Spanish and the Mexicans (and later even by Stephen F. Austin's colony),[3][5] and is still used as the name for the pass at the west end of the island
.

The first permanent European settlements on the island were constructed around 1816 by the pirate

New Orleans, Louisiana.[6] Lafitte organized the island's settlement into a pirate "kingdom" he called "Campeche", anointing himself the "head of government".[7] Lafitte remained at Campeche until 1821 when he and his raiders were given an ultimatum by the United States Navy: leave or be destroyed. Lafitte burned his settlement to the ground and sailed under cover of night for parts unknown.[7][8]

Following its successful revolution from Spain, the

Congress of Mexico issued a proclamation on October 17, 1825, establishing the Port of Galveston, and, in 1830, erected a customs house.[9] During the Texas Revolution, Galveston served as the main port for the Texas Navy. Galveston also served as the capital of the Republic of Texas when, in 1836, interim president David G. Burnet relocated his government from nearby Harrisburg to the island.[9] In 1836, Michel Branamour Menard, a native of Canada, along with several associates, purchased 4,605 acres (18.64 km2) of land for $50,000 from the Austin Colony to found the town that would become the modern city of Galveston.[10][11][12] The Congress of the Republic of Texas hired Robert C. Trimble and William Lindsey to survey this land, and they completed the surveys in 1837.[13] That same year, the city plan for Galveston was designed by Gail Borden, laying out the newly established town in a simple gridiron pattern.[14] Menard and his associates began selling plots on April 20, 1838. In 1839, the City of Galveston adopted a charter and was incorporated by the Congress of the Republic of Texas.[12][15] By this time, the name "San Luis" for the island had been abandoned and "Galveston" had become the island's exclusive name.[3]

The City of Galveston became significant to the slave-trade era of industrialized human-trafficking, establishing itself as the largest slave-market west of New Orleans. Census records from 1860 show a population of 1,178 enslaved individuals compared to around 6,000 free people (including only two free black citizens) living in the City.

Major General John B. Magruder attacked and expelled occupying Union troops from the city, which remained in Confederate hands for the duration of the war.[17] In May 1865, the Lark successfully evaded the Union blockade of Galveston Harbor and headed for Havana, becoming the final Confederate ship to slip through the blockade from any Southern port.[18] In the late 1890s, the Fort Crockett defenses and coastal artillery batteries were constructed in Galveston and along the Bolivar Roads.[19]

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration distinguishing the end of slavery in the United States. The annual observance owes its origins to the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation exemplified by the return of Union Army and the investiture of General Order No. 3 at Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865.[20] Galveston was the first city in Texas to provide a secondary school and public library for African Americans.[21]

Golden era

Map of Galveston in 1871
Galveston City Railway Company c 1894

At the end of the 19th century, the city of Galveston was a booming metropolis with a population of 37,000. Its position on the natural harbor of Galveston Bay along the Gulf of Mexico made it the center of trade in Texas, and one of the largest cotton ports in the nation, in competition with New Orleans.[22] Between 1838 and 1842, 18 newspapers were started to serve the island's rapidly growing population (The Galveston County Daily News is the sole survivor).[23] A causeway linking the island with the mainland was finished in 1860, which paved the way for railroad expansion.[24]

Galveston Immigration Stations

During this golden era of Galveston's history, the city was home to a number of

Roman Catholic hospital (St. Mary's Hospital) (1866),[25] first Jewish Reform Congregation (Congregation B'nai Israel) (1868), the first opera house (1870), the first orphanage (1876), the first telephone (1878), the first electric lights (1883), the first medical college (now the University of Texas Medical Branch) (1891), and the first school for nurses (1890).[12][26]

The Beach Hotel catered to vacationers until a fire in 1898.

Galveston was also home to the first Roman Catholic

St. Mary's Church the cathedral for the entire state of Texas.[27]

During the mid 19th century, Galveston, though not a large city by world standards, emerged as an international city with immigration and trade from around the U.S. and around the world. The island has sometimes been called the "Ellis Island of the West" as it was the primary point of entry for European immigrants settling in the western United States.[28] German immigration during this period was so great that the German language became a commonly used language on the city's streets.[29] The immigrants were not simply the poor or the oppressed seeking refuge but many of the educated, middle class. The Galveston Weekly News described one 1849 ship's arrival as carrying members of the "wealthy class" including lawyers and merchants and many skilled workers.

The later 19th century was a high point in the history of

trade unions during the 1890s and early 1900s.[30] Cuney himself rose to the chairmanship of the Texas Republican Party
, the most powerful position held by any black American in the 19th century.

Galveston Grand Opera House

Storm of 1900

Memorial marker along The Strand indicating a building that survived the 1900 hurricane
Main article: 1900 Galveston hurricane

On September 8, 1900, the island was struck by a devastating hurricane.[31] Even post-Hurricane Katrina, this event holds the record as the United States' deadliest natural disaster.[31][32] In the early morning of September 8, high surf, despite prevailing winds out of the north, heralded the oncoming storm. By noon, low-lying areas near the Gulf and the Bay side of the city were flooding and the winds increased. Near 4 p.m. a storm surge approximately 15 feet (5 m) high slammed into the coast. Wind speeds reached approximately 125 miles per hour (201 km/h) (an estimate, since the anemometer was blown off the U.S. Weather Bureau building).[31] Isaac Cline was the bureau's chief meteorologist. An account of the events surrounding the hurricane, based on his personal records, is given in Isaac's Storm by Erik Larson. The city was devastated, and an estimated 6,000 to 12,000 people on the island were killed.[31] After the storm, the city decided to shore up its defenses against future storms by constructing a permanent concrete seawall along a large portion of the beach front (1902–1904). The entire grade of the city was raised some 17 feet (5 m) behind the wall to several feet near the Bay (1904–1910).[33]

Rebuilding and the "Open era"

Further information: Free State of Galveston
Busy dock scene, Galveston, c. 1912

Despite attempts to draw new investment to the city after the hurricane, Galveston has never fully returned to its previous levels of national importance or prosperity. Development was also hindered by the construction of the

Jewish immigrants from the crowded cities of the Northeastern United States.[34] Additionally numerous other immigrant groups, including Greeks, Italians and Russian Jews came to the city during this period.[35]
This immigration trend substantially altered the ethnic makeup of the island, as well as many other areas of Texas and the western U.S.

Though the storm stalled economic development and the city of Houston grew into the region's principal metropolis, Galveston regained some of its former glory. Recognizing the need for Galveston to diversify from the traditional port-related industries, in 1905,

William Lewis Moody, Jr., a member of one of Galveston's leading families, founded the American National Insurance Company. Two years later, Mr. Moody would further invest in Galveston by establishing the City National Bank, which would later become the Moody National Bank.[36][37]

A military facility by the US Army

Coastal Artillery on Galveston Island was established in the late 1890s and construction, which was disrupted by the 1900 Galveston hurricane, was completed in the early 1900s, with the facility being named Fort Crockett in 1903. During the First World War, Fort Crockett served as a US Army artillery training center. Troops bound for France were trained in the use of several types of artillery. During the 1920s and early 1930s, Fort Crockett housed the United States Army Air Corps' (USAAC) 3rd Attack Group (an ancestor to USAF's 3rd Wing). At this time, the 3rd Attack Group was the only USAAC group devoted solely to attack aircraft. During the Second World War, focus was placed on defense against German U-boats, and the fort also served as a prisoner of war camp. Following the war, Fort Crockett served for several years as an army recreational center.[38]

The Galveston–Houston Electric Railway was established in 1911 and ran between the city and Houston. The railway was recognized as the fastest interurban line in 1925 and 1926.[39]

Stewart Title building in Downtown Galveston

During the 1920s and 1930s, the city re-emerged as a major tourist destination.

beauty contest.[47][48][49] This event became the first international contest and attracted participants from England, Russia, Turkey, Brazil, and many other nations until its demise in 1932.[48]

The 1930s and 1940s brought much change to the Island City. KLUF

anti-submarine role in the Gulf of Mexico. Later it was replaced by the 10th anti-submarine squadron, flying RM-37 Lockheed Venturas.[52]

Postcard view of Beach Boulevard, early 1940s

In 1942, William Lewis Moody, Jr., along with his wife Libbie Shearn Rice Moody, established the Moody Foundation, with the purpose of "benefiting present and future generations of Texans". The foundation, one of the largest in the United States, would play a prominent role in Galveston during later decades, helping to fund numerous civic and health-oriented programs.[53]

The end of the war drastically reduced military investment in the island. Increasing enforcement of gambling laws and the growth of Las Vegas put pressure on the gaming industry on the island.[54] Finally, in 1957, Texas Attorney General Will Wilson and the Texas Rangers began a massive campaign of raids which wrecked gambling and prostitution in the city.[55][56][57][58] As these vice industries crashed, so did tourism taking the rest of the Galveston economy with it.[59] Neither the economy nor the culture of the city was the same afterward.[60] Civic leaders made several failed attempts at new ventures including the failed Oleander Bowl football tournament and the Pelican Island Bridge for access to a new industrial park which never materialized.[60] Nevertheless, key non-entertainment sectors such as insurance, banking, and the medical school helped to keep the economy viable.

Recent history

Strand Historic District

The economy of the island entered a long, stagnant period. Many businesses relocated off of the island. By 1959, the city of Houston had long out-paced Galveston in population and economic growth. Recognizing this, the Reverend Wendelin J. Nold, fifth bishop of the Galveston Diocese, was permitted by the

St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica still remained the home of the diocese, but now the bishop could more easily access the rapidly growing Roman Catholic population in Houston.[61][62]

Beginning in 1957, the Galveston Historical Foundation began its efforts to preserve historic buildings.[63] The 1966 book The Galveston That Was helped encourage the preservation movement. Restoration efforts financed by motivated investors, notably Houston businessman George P. Mitchell, gradually created the Strand Historic District and reinvented other areas. A new, family-oriented tourism emerged in the city over many years.

In September 1961, an F4 tornado generated by landfalling Hurricane Carla hit the city, killing eight and injuring 200.

The 1960s saw the expansion of higher education in Galveston. Already home to the University of Texas Medical Branch, the city got a boost in 1962 with the creation of the Texas Maritime Academy, predecessor of Texas A&M University at Galveston; and by 1967 a community college, Galveston College, had been formed to help provide affordable education to the community.[64][65]

In the 2000s, property values rose after expensive projects were completed

U.S. Census Bureau.[68] In 2007 The Associated Press compiled a list of the most vulnerable places to hurricanes in the U.S. and Galveston was one of five areas named. Among the reasons cited were low elevation and the single evacuation route off the island which is blocked by the fourth largest city in the United States, Houston.[69]

Hurricane Ike made landfall on Galveston Island in the early morning of September 13, 2008 as a Category 2 hurricane with winds of 110 miles per hour (180 km/h) [70] Ike produced waves and a rising storm surge of about 14 feet (4.3 m), which went around the famous Galveston Seawall, flooding the city via the storm sewers, and the unprotected "bay side" of the island, before the first winds or drop of rain.[71][72] The storm left Galveston without electricity, gas, water pressure and basic communications. The Balinese Room, an historic nightclub, formerly a notorious illegal gambling hall, which was located on a 600-foot (200 m) pier extending into the Gulf of Mexico was destroyed in the storm.[73] The island has since re-established services and the population has returned but some damage remains. Discussions are currently under way to build a so-called Ike Dike which would protect Galveston and the bay.[74] As of 2009 the project is still in the conceptual stage and no funding has been allocated.

The project was still under discussion in 2017 although the Sierra Club and other environmentalists were warning about the risk to marine life in the area. Several groups were providing their own recommendations on the technical aspects and design of the storm-surge protection system.[75][76]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "Galveston Island". Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  2. ^ Chipman, Donald E. (January 18, 2008). "Malhado Island". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
  3. ^
    ISBN 978-0-292-72053-4
    . Retrieved December 12, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Barker, Eugene C.; Duncalf, Frederick; Dunn, W. E.; Gutsch, Milton R.; Manning, William R.; Marsh, Frank Burr; Ramsdell, Chas. W.; Riker, Thad W.; Cunningham, C. H., eds. (1918). "The History of Galveston 1518–1900". The Texas History Teachers' Bulletin. Vol. 7–14. Austin, TX: University of Texas. pp. 53–54.
  5. ISBN 84-89512-02-7
    .
  6. ^ a b Harris Gaylord Warren. "Aury, Louis Michel". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  7. ^ a b Harris Gaylord Warren. "Lafitte, Jean". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  8. ^ Jimmie Walker. "The Legend of Jean Lafitte". Kemah Historical Society. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  9. ^ a b "Port of Galveston". World Port Source. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  10. ^ "Menard, Michel Branamour". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  11. ^ "The Galveston Collection". Texas Archival Resources Online, University of Houston. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  12. ^ a b c "History of Galveston". Isaac's Storm, Random House. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  13. ^ Schlaufer, Kyle (December 23, 2008). "Lindsey, William F." Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  14. ^ Cartwright, Gary (1998). Galveston: A History of the Island. Fort Worth, TX: TCU Press. p. 4.
  15. ^ "Galveston Island". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  16. ^ a b Cotham (1998), p. 2–3.
  17. ^ Barr, Alwyn. "Galveston, Battle of". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
  18. ^ "Galveston Weekly News, April 26, 1865". Institute of Nautical Archaeology, Texas A&M University. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  19. ^ "Galveston Laboratory Home". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
  20. ^ Teresa Palomo Acosta. "Juneteenth". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  21. ^ "African American Heritage". Galveston Historical Foundation. Archived from the original on August 13, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
  22. ^ Sealy, Edward Coyle. "Galveston Wharves". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Archived from the original on November 7, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  23. ^ "The History of Galveston". Wyndham Hotels. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
  24. ^ "Galveston Causeway". AllBusiness.com. Retrieved September 13, 2009. [dead link]
  25. ^ "The Christus legacy Answering the call". Christus Health. Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  26. ISBN 0-7627-3867-7
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  27. ^ "The History of The Mother Church of Texas". St. Mary Cathedral Basilica. Archived from the original on November 24, 2010. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
    Tara Dooley (March 30, 2008). "The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston began in a wood-frame church during the Republic of Texas". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
    Tara Dooley (January 4, 2003). "At 155, Galveston's St. Mary's still battles the storms". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  28. ^ "Gateway on the Gulf: Galveston and American Immigration, 1845–1915". Humanities Texas (Teacher Institutes). Archived from the original on July 21, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  29. ^ Hardwick (2002), pg. 28–29
  30. ISBN 0-89096-912-4
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  31. ^ a b c d Weems, John Edward. "Galveston Hurricane of 1900". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  32. ^ Strupp, Joe (September 4, 2000). "Nation's deadliest natural disaster". Editor & Publisher. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  33. ^ "Galveston and Texas History Center". Rosenberg Library, Galveston. Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  34. ^ "Galveston Movement". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  35. ^ Hardwick (2002), pg.13
  36. ^ "Annual Financials report, 2004–2005" (PDF). The Moody Foundation. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 29, 2009. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  37. ^ "American National Announces Fourth Quarter 2007 Results" (PDF). American National Insurance Company. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 1, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  38. ^ Darst, Maury. "Fort Crockett". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved January 4, 2017.
  39. ^ Rieder, Robert A. "Electric Interurban Railways". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
  40. ^ "Galveston Hotel – Hotel Galvez to Reopen October 15". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
  41. ^ "Preserve America Community: Galveston, Texas". Retrieved September 26, 2009.
  42. JSTOR 4491945
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  43. ^ McComb, David G. "Galveston, TX". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
  44. ^ John Nova Lomax (March 5, 2009). "Is Casino Gambling in the Cards for Galveston?". Houston Press. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
  45. ^ "The Press: Gambling in Texas". Time. January 12, 1952. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
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  47. ISBN 0-8118-4864-7
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  48. ^ a b "Miss United States Began In Galveston". The Islander Magazine. 2006.
  49. ^ Cherry, Bill (October 25, 2004). "Miss America was once Pageant of Pulchritude". Galveston Daily News. Archived from the original on October 21, 2009.
  50. OCLC 2459636
  51. ^ Darst, Maury. "Galveston Army Airfield". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
  52. ^ "46th Bombardment Group, WWII, World War II, Army Air Forces". Army Air Corps Library and Museum. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved June 23, 2009.
  53. ^ Baker, Robert E. "Moody Foundation". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  54. ISBN 9780198035169
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  55. ^ Dickson Jr., James G. "Attorney General". Handbook of Texas Online, Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
  56. ^ "The Daily News: Headlines". The Galveston County Daily News. Archived from the original on February 8, 2010. Retrieved September 26, 2009.
  57. ISBN 978-0-8061-3471-0
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  58. ^ "Grande Dame of the Gulf". Texas Monthly: 169. December 1983.
  59. ISBN 978-0-8229-4335-8
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  60. ^ a b Burka, Paul (December 1983). "Grande Dame of the Gulf". Texas Monthly. Retrieved September 27, 2009.
  61. ^ Dunn, Julia (November 4, 1989). "Bishops celebrate 200th birthday". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  62. ^ Vara, Richard (March 30, 2008). "The cradle of Texas' Catholicism, The state's first cathedral in need of major repair". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
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  64. ^ "The History of Galveston College". Galveston College. Archived from the original on September 21, 2009. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  65. ^ Rhiannon Myers (November 14, 2007). "Students brave the simulated seas". The Galveston County Daily News. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved September 13, 2009.
  66. ^ Novak, Shonda (July 22, 2006). "Growth Wave Hits Galveston". Austin American-Statesman.
  67. ^ Rice, Harvey (February 22, 2007). "Workers in Galveston increasingly can't afford to live there". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  68. ^ Schladen, Marty (July 23, 2007). "Forces drive people off island". The Galveston County Daily News. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  69. ^ "Where's the next New Orleans?: Galveston, New York City, Miami among top 5 places most vulnerable to a powerful hurricane this season, AP finds". Decatur Daily (Associated Press). June 1, 2007. Archived from the original on June 6, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  70. ^ "Ike Insured Damage Estimates Range from $6B to $18B". Texas / South Central News, Insurance Journal. September 15, 2008. Retrieved October 3, 2009.
  71. USA TODAY. Archived from the original
    on September 15, 2008. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  72. ^ Casselman, Ben (September 12, 2008). "As Waters Rise, Many Decline To Leave Galveston Island". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 13, 2008.
  73. ^ "Historic Balinese Room Nightclub & Live Music". Balinese Room. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  74. ^ Ben Caselman (June 4, 2009). "Planning the 'Ike Dike' Defense, Houston-Area Leaders Envision a 60-Mile Barrier Against Hurricane Flooding". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 4, 2009.
  75. ^ "Environmentalists skeptical of Ike Dike". houstonchronicle.com. January 5, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  76. ^ Oberg, Ted (June 20, 2017). "9 years after storm, 'Ike Dike' still under discussion". abc13.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.

References

Further reading

External links

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