Galveston is a city and an island 50 miles south of Houston Galveston's main role during the 1800's was as principal port and gateway to the South-west. The first American colonists arrived in 1827 and the city in 1839. The city supplied shipping, goods, money, and transportation which was important for the establishment of Texas and in helping with its independence. From 1840 to 1870, the city was a major immigration port for over a quarter million Europeans. Prosperity after Texas' secession from the Union and the Civil War brought about a new Wall Street of the Southwest in the Strand area. Money was made from cotton, banks, publishing and printing, flour and grain, railroads, land development and of course shipping. This flourishing period came to an end with the great 1900 storm which killed 6,000 and left 8,000 homeless. Following the storm a 16ft high and 17 ft wide seawall was constructed and some 2,200 structures behind the wall were raised an average of 5 feet. The Strand took such a bashing that it took several years to recover.
When the Houston Ship Channel was deepened in 1914, much of Galveston's trade was taken away. During World War II, the island had an air base where B-17's were given their final instructions before leaving for the Pacific. The first container terminal opened in 1972.
Today Galveston has had millions of dollars poured into the restoration of historical buildings. It has one of the great surviving collections of Victorian architecture in North America.
More in my Travelogues
(c) keeweechic 2001-2008 (copyright)
Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea winds blowin'
I still see her dark eyes glowin'
She was 21 when I left Galveston
Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea waves crashing
While I watch the cannons flashing
I clean my gun and dream of Galveston
I still see her standing by the water
Standing there lookin' out to sea
And is she waiting there for me?
On the beach where we used to run
Galveston, oh Galveston, I am so afraid of dying
Before I dry the tears she's crying
Before I watch your sea birds flying in the sun
At Galveston, at Galveston
Glen Campbell
Reviews (43)
Floating Bed and Breakfast
Hotels
(4)
The Stacia Leigh is a floating bed and breakfast right next to the 'Elissa' and the 'Texas Seaport Museum'. The boat is... more travel advice
Moody Gardens
Things to Do
(21)
Moody Gardens is one of Galveston's newest attractions set on165-acres. The gardens includes an Aquarium Pyramid,... more travel advice
Johnson Space Centre
Off The Beaten Path
(3)
The Space Center is the official visitors centre to the Johnson Space Center and covers 1,600 acres. Each attraction is... more travel advice
Battleship Texas BB-35
Off The Beaten Path
(3)
In 1948 the Battleship Texas became the first battle battleship memorial museum in the United States. It was then... more travel advice
Galveston Travel Guide
Member Travel Pages
- "When I Say "The Beach" This is It For Me"
- "GALVESTON IN DECEMBER"
- "Island Living, Texas Style!"
- "Galveston"
- "A city full of history"
- "Keeweechic's Galveston"
- "My New Home"
- See All...
Explore the World
Badges & Stats in Galveston
- 43 Reviews
- 85 Photos
- 0 Forum posts
- 9 Comments
- 22,276PageViews
- See All Stats
- See All Badges (61)
Have you been to Galveston?
Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Galveston
- updated a Galveston Travel Page "Keeweechic's Galveston"
- Uploaded a Photo to "Keeweechic's Galveston"
- Wrote a Review Floating Bed and... in Galveston Hotels
- Commented on WFTR's Galveston Page
Top 10 Pages
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Perth
Intro, 336 reviews, 608 photos, 5 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Dallas
Intro, 238 reviews, 512 photos, 12 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Fremantle
Intro, 258 reviews, 399 photos, 3 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Fort Worth
Intro, 223 reviews, 348 photos, 8 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Lisbon
Intro, 159 reviews, 370 photos, 4 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Texas
Intro, 122 reviews, 364 photos, 5 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Auckland
Intro, 212 reviews, 273 photos, 3 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
State of Western Australia
Intro, 148 reviews, 322 photos
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Hong Kong
Intro, 147 reviews, 285 photos, 12 travelogues
-
Top 5 Page for this destination
Sevilla
Intro, 127 reviews, 284 photos, 3 travelogues
Friends
See All Friends (85)Latest Galveston hotel reviews
- Hawthorn Suites at The Victorian Resort
- 164 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Nov 13, 2011 - Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Galveston West - Seawall
- 58 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 22, 2011 - Hotel Galvez
- 400 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 12, 2012 - Escapes To The Gulf At Galveston
- 80 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Nov 9, 2011 - Flagship Hotel Over the Water Galveston
- 5 Reviews & Opinions
- Holiday Inn Galveston On The Beach
- 142 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 12, 2012 - San Luis Resort, Spa & Conference Center
- 262 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 11, 2012 - Moody Gardens Hotel
- 200 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 9, 2012 - Hilton Galveston Island Resort
- 232 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 5, 2012 - The Galvestonian
- 49 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 11, 2012 - Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort Galveston Beach
- 137 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 7, 2012 - Seascape Condominium Rentals Galveston
- 89 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Oct 25, 2011 - Baymont Inn & Suites Galveston
- 173 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 31, 2011 - Springhill Suites by Marriott Galveston Island
- 34 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 5, 2012 - Commodore On The Beach
- 156 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jan 10, 2012

National/State Park
Historical Travel
Museum Visits
Comments (9)
Excited to try Casey's, arrived @ 8:37 p.m. and the greeter said, "Sorry we're closed - 8:30 p.m. on a Thursday???" Very disappointed!!!!
I've just realized I forgot to leave a comment on your Galveston page: I looked it up when I was looking for places to visit in Texas and thanks to you I ended up spending a weekend in Galveston and had a great time. Beautiful city with lots of history!
Looks like a very nice place for a daytrip from Houston to Galveston. Your tips would be very helpfull thks!
Hey grilled shrimp and garlic that restaurant sounds like the one I like, good advice from the hotel!
Daughter lives in Houston, so here frequently. Nice job with it.
Great page on Galveston, very well done! Nice picts, you even managed to have the Strand look good on them!! I was disssapointed by Galveston when I saw all the growth buildings along the sea...
No wonder Glenn Campbell wrote a song about it.
Woww... This sure was worth waiting for.. FANTASTIC page!!! Love the Sacred Heart Church and the other Historical buildings. "SUPER" ;-)
love what I see..back soon!!
1 - 9 of 9