Galveston is a city by the coast in Southeast Texas, situated on Galveston Island and Pelican Island in the state of Texas in the United States.
Galveston’s economy is primarily driven by four key sectors: tourism, health care, shipping, and finance.
The native people of Galveston Island referred to their home as Auia. In November 1528, Cabeza de Vaca and his crew encountered a place they called “Isla de Malhado” while sailing, but the specifics of their journey and landing are unclear.
On September 8, 1900, a powerful hurricane made landfall on the island, resulting in the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. The storm wreaked havoc on the city, claiming the lives of an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 people. In the aftermath of the disaster, a 10-mile (16 km) long seawall was constructed, standing 17 feet (5.2 m) high, to protect the city from future floods and hurricane storm surges.
Hurricane Carla hit the city in September 1961, causing an F4 tornado that resulted in the deaths of eight people and injuries to 200 others.
Galveston Island, home to the city of Galveston, is positioned off the Texas Gulf coast, near the mainland shore. Composed primarily of sand-sized particles, with smaller quantities of finer mud sediments and larger gravel-sized sediments, the island is prone to change due to the impact of water and weather. Erosion can cause the island’s boundaries to fluctuate.
Galveston boasts six historic districts, each showcasing a unique collection of architecturally significant structures. The Silk Stocking National Historic District, nestled between Broadway and Seawall Boulevard, features a selection of historic homes built between the Civil War and World War II. The East End Historic District, located along Broadway and Market Streets, is home to an impressive 463 buildings. Additionally, the city is home to the Cedar Lawn, Denver Court, and Fort Travis historic districts, each offering its own glimpse into Galveston’s rich history.
Galveston has earned the nickname ‘Oleander City’ since the beginning of the 20th century due to its extensive cultivation of Nerium oleander, a type of evergreen shrub that grows well in the island’s subtropical climate. Oleanders are a prominent element of the city, providing vibrant splashes of color to the surroundings with their blooms from April to October in gardens, parks, and streets.
Galveston possesses a substantial and the 1800s in the United States. The city’s endeavors to preserve and rejuvenate its architecture over many years have been acknowledged on a national level.
The Galvez Hotel, a storied establishment, first welcomed guests in 1911. Its name pays tribute to Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Count of Gálvez, who lent his name to the city. The hotel’s historical significance earned it a place on the National Register of Historic Places on April 4, 1979.
The possibility of hurricanes looms large during the summer and fall months, placing Galveston in a region prone to Coastal Windstorms. Galveston Island and the Bolivar Peninsula are particularly vulnerable among the communities surrounding Galveston Bay. Although the island and peninsula offer some protection, the shoreline along the bay remains susceptible to the threat of storm surge. Discussions regarding the construction of a coastal storm barrier, with a combination of federal and state funding, have been underway for years to safeguard Galveston and Houston.
According to the 2020 census, the city was home to a population of 53,695 individuals, 21,683 households, and 11,368 families.
In 1825, a humble trading post was established on the island of Galveston, Texas. Over time, this modest beginning evolved into the sprawling Port of Galveston, encompassing 850 acres (3.4 km2) of state-of-the-art port facilities. Strategically positioned on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, with some facilities extends onto Pelican Island, the port boasts an impressive capacity to handle a diverse range of cargo types. Whether it’s containers, dry and liquid bulk, breakbulk, Roll-on/roll-off, refrigerated cargo or project cargoes, the Port of Galveston is equipped to efficiently manage it all.
Galveston is home to American National Insurance Company, a leading life insurance provider in the United States. With a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa, the company’s reach extends far and wide. Additionally, through its subsidiary American National de México, Compañía de Seguros de Vida, the company offers a range of products and services in Mexico, further solidifying its position as a top player in the industry.
Galveston, a favored tourist haven, generated an impressive $808 million in local revenue in 2007, luring 5.4 million visitors with its diverse array of accommodations, including iconic hotels like the Hotel Galvez and Tremont House, charming bed and breakfast inns, and luxurious beachfront condos.
Established in 1986, the Galveston Arts Center (GAC) is a non-profit organization that does not collect art. It showcases modern artwork, frequently by artists from Texas, and provides educational initiatives and community outreach. GAC is well-known for hosting Galveston ArtWalk and admission to the museum is free for all visitors.
In the aftermath of the devastating hurricane of 1900, Galveston transitioned to a new system of governance known as the “Galveston Plan,” which was a city commission form of government. This was later replaced by the council-manager form of government, where the city council acts as the legislative branch, the city manager serves as the chief executive officer, and the municipal court system serves as the judicial branch.
Galveston, the second-largest city in Galveston County after League City, serves as the county seat. The Galveston County Justice Center, where all judicial activities and the jail are housed, can be found on 59th street. Near the downtown area lies the Galveston County Administrative Courthouse, responsible for overseeing civil and administrative functions. Galveston falls within County Precinct 1, with Patrick Doyle serving as the Commissioner since 2008.
Founded in 1891, the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) began with just one building and under 50 students. Over the years, the campus has expanded to over 70 buildings and now accommodates over 2,500 students. The sprawling 84-acre campus comprises schools for medicine, nursing, allied health professions, and a graduate school of biomedical sciences. Additionally, it houses three institutes dedicated to advanced studies and medical humanities, a significant medical library, seven hospitals, a network of clinics offering various medical services, and multiple research facilities.
Galveston houses two higher education institutions that provide standard academic programs beyond high school. Galveston College, established in 1967 as a community college, and Texas A&M University at Galveston, a specialized branch campus of the main Texas A&M University that focuses on ocean-related studies.
Galveston Independent School District provides education for students in the city of Galveston, with a total of six elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school, which is Ball High School. Additionally, there is a magnet middle school called Austin Middle School for students in grades 5 through 8. The city also has state-funded charter schools, such as Ambassadors Preparatory Academy for kindergarten through 8th grade, Odyssey Academy for pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, and KIPP Coastal Village, a program under GISD’s supervision.
Galveston is home to a variety of private schools, with a few being overseen by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. These include Holy Family Catholic School for students from kindergarten to 8th grade, and O’Connell College Preparatory School for students from 9th to 12th grade. Additional private schools in the area are Satori Elementary School, Trinity Episcopal School, Seaside Christian Academy, and Heritage Christian Academy.
Established in 1842, The Daily News, formerly known as The Galveston County Daily News, is the oldest newspaper that has been consistently printed in Texas. It is the main newspaper in the city and serves as the official publication for the city, while the Texas City Post is the official publication for the county.
The city houses a 30-bed specialized burns hospital for children called the Shriners Burns Hospital at Galveston. It is one of just four such hospitals in the network of 22 non-profit Shriners hospitals that offer specialized care for acute burns. Despite being affected by Hurricane Ike, the Shriners national convention in July 2009 decided to restore and resume operations at the hospital.
The Rosenberg Library, which took over from the Galveston Mercantile Library, has the distinction of being the oldest public library in Texas, with a history dating back to 1871.
Highway
Interstate 45
State Highway 87
State Highway 168
State Highway 275
Spur 342
Farm to Market Road 3005
The Galveston Island Trolley is managed by Island Transit, the agency responsible for running the public transportation services in the city.
Tilman J. Fertitta, a prominent figure with ties to the esteemed Maceo family, founded Landry’s Restaurants, a successful corporation that operates various dining establishments and entertainment venues throughout Texas and Nevada.
In the realm of boxing, Jack Johnson, also known as the “Galveston Giant,” made history by becoming the first African American to hold the title of world heavyweight champion.
After signing with the Galveston Buccaneers in 1934, professional baseball pitcher Sig Jakucki decided to make Galveston his permanent residence.
Terran Petteway, a professional basketball athlete competing in the top Israeli basketball league, hails from Galveston.
Tina Knowles, a fashion designer who established House of Deréon, is the mother of Beyoncé and Solange Knowles.
Esther Phillips, a renowned R&B and Jazz artist who won a Grammy award, was born in Galveston in 1935.
Sheldon Cooper, a key figure in the TV show The Big Bang Theory on CBS, originated from Galveston.
Galveston has established sister city relationships with Macharaviaya in Spain, Niigata in Japan, Stavanger in Norway, and Veracruz in Mexico.