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:''"Galveston" redirects here. For the town in the U.S. state of Indiana, see Galveston, Indiana.''
'Galveston' is the county seat of Galveston County located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of the 2005 U.S. Census estimate, the city had a total population of 57,466. Galveston is accessible by a causeway linking Galveston Island to the mainland on the north end of the city, a toll bridge on the western end of the island, and by ferry boat service on the east end of the city.
Galveston is known for its historic neighborhoods and a ten-mile (16 km) long seawall designed to protect the city from floods.
The city houses many tourist attractions. The attractions include the Galveston Schlitterbahn waterpark, Moody Gardens, the Lone Star Flight Museum, a downtown neighborhood of historic buildings known as "The Strand," many historical museums and mansions, and miles of beach front. The Strand plays host to a yearly Mardi Gras festival, Galveston Island Jazz & Blues Festival, Texas Beach Fest, Lone Star Bike Rally, and a Victorian-themed Christmas festival called "Dickens on the Strand" (honoring the works of novelist Charles Dickens, especially ''A Christmas Carol'') in early December. Galveston is also home to the Balinese Room, a historic nightclub, formerly a notorious illegal gambling hall, located on a pier extending into the Gulf of Mexico. ^[1]
Galveston is the second-largest city in Galveston County in population after League City; League City surpassed Galveston between 2000 and 2005. ^[2]

Contents

History

Exploration and settlement

Growth

Storm of 1900

Galveston today

Architecture

The Port of Galveston

Geography and Climate

Demographics

Notable Galvestonians

Transportation

Galveston in Pop Culture

Education

Colleges and universities

Primary and Secondary schools

Public Schools

State Charter Schools

Private Schools

Public libraries

Postal service

Closed Stations

Community information

Sister cities

See also

Notes

External links

History

Exploration and settlement

Galveston island was originally inhabited by members of the Karankawa and Akokisa tribes. The Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca was shipwrecked on the island in 1528 and there began his famous trek to Mexico. In the late 1600s, the French explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle claimed the area for Louis XIV and named it ''Saint-Louis''.
The island was named in honor of Bernardo de Gálvez y Madrid, Count of Gálvez, in 1785 by Spanish explorer José de Evia, who charted the Gulf Coast. The first permanent European settlements on the island were constructed around 1816 by the pirate Louis-Michel Aury as a base of operations to support Mexico's rebellion against Spain. In 1817 Aury returned from an unsuccessful raid against Spain to find Galveston occupied by the pirate Jean Lafitte, who took up residence there after having been driven from his stronghold in Barataria Bay off the coast of New Orleans, Louisiana. Lafitte organized Galveston into a pirate "kingdom" he called "Campeachy" (or "Campeche"), anointing himself the island's "head of government." Lafitte remained in Galveston 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. There are still rumors that Lafitte's treasure is buried somewhere between Galveston Island, Bolivar Peninsula and High Island.
Following its successful revolution from Spain, Mexico designated Galveston a port of entry in 1825, erecting a customs house in 1830. During the Texas Revolution, Galveston served as the main port for the Texas navy. Galveston also served briefly as the capital of the Republic of Texas in 1836.
In 1836, Michel B. 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. 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.
The was fought in and on the island on January 1, 1863, during the American Civil War when Confederate forces under 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.
Juneteenth, which is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, owes its origins to the announcement of the Emancipation Proclamation upon the return of Union forces to Galveston in 1865.
In the late 1890s, the Fort Crockett defenses and coastal artillery batteries were constructed in Galveston and along the Bolivar Roads. ^[3]

Growth

At the end of the 19th century, the city of Galveston was a booming metropolis with a population of 37,000 (more than Houston in 1900). 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. 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). A causeway linking the island with the mainland was finished in 1860, which paved the way for railroad expansion.
During this era, Galveston was also home to a number of state firsts, including: the first post office (1836), the first naval base (1836), the first Texas chapter of a Masonic order (1840); the first cotton compress (1842), first Roman Catholic Cathedral (St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica) (1847), the first insurance company (1854), the first gas lights (1856), 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).

Storm of 1900

Main articles: Galveston Hurricane of 1900

In 1900, the island was struck by a devastating hurricane, an event that still holds the record as the United States' deadliest natural disaster.
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 taking on water and the winds increased. Near 4 p.m. a storm surge approximately high slammed into the coast. According to many personal accounts, the storm subsided before midnight. Wind speeds reached up to 125 mph (an estimate, since the anemometer was blown off the U.S. Weather Bureau building). The city was devastated, and an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 people on the island were killed.

After the storm cleared, the city decided to shore up its defenses against future storms: a permanent concrete seawall was built along a large portion of the beach front (1902-1904) and the entire grade of the city was raised some behind the wall to a few feet near the Bay (1904-1910). Just after the hurricane, the city originated the City Commission form of city government (which became known as the "Galveston Plan"), although the city has since adopted the Council-Manager form of government.
Despite attempts to draw new investment to the city after the hurricane, Galveston never fully returned to its former importance or prosperity. Development was also hindered by the construction of the Houston Ship Channel, which brought the Port of Houston into direct competition with the natural harbor of Galveston Bay for sea traffic. To further her recovery, and rebuild her population, Galveston actively solicited immigration. Through the efforts of Rabbi Henry Cohen and Congregation B'nai Israel, Galveston became the focus of a 1907 immigration plan called the Galveston Movement that in the following years diverted roughly 10,000 Eastern European Jewish immigrants from the crowded cities of the Northeastern United States.

Galveston today

Though the storm stalled economic development and the city of Houston grew into the region's principal metropolis, Galveston has regained some of its former glory. Today it is considered a major tourist destination and remains a port of entry and a destination for cruise ships, and a port of call and repairs for cargo ships. Galveston is currently ranked the number 1 cruise port on the Gulf Coast and number 4 in North America (2007).
Galveston's historic downtown and abundant beaches are major tourist destinations. Houstonians and visitors from around the world purchase beach homes and condominiums and make Galveston their second home.
Other attractions in Galveston include Moody Gardens, the Galveston Railroad Museum, Schlitterbahn, the Strand and the Lone Star Flight Museum. Galveston is also home to several historic ships: the tall ship ''Elissa'' (the official Tall Ship of Texas) at the Texas Seaport Museum and USS ''Cavalla'' and USS ''Stewart'', both berthed at Seawolf Park on nearby Pelican Island. Galveston is also home to a symphony orchestra and a small ballet company.
The ''Galveston County Daily News'', the city's main newspaper, is the oldest continuously printed newspaper in Texas since 1842. ^[4]
Galveston has been the home of the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) since 1891. UTMB is a major teaching and indigent-care hospital which now encompasses 84 acres (340,000 m²)., UTMB is the largest employer in Galveston County, creating over 15,000 jobs and bringing about $300 million into the local economy. The Shriners Hospital adjacent to UTMB is a 30-bed pediatric burn hospital providing comprehensive acute care and reconstructive and rehabilitative care to children who have been burned. American National Insurance Company, one of the larger life insurance companies in the United States, and Moody National Bank are headquartered in Galveston.


Galveston's beaches are much cleaner than in the past. With the island's population showing greater concern for their environment, washed-up seaweed is now only moved back from the water's edge to allow the natural buildup and preservation of the beaches. The beaches are now cleaned daily by the Galveston Park Board.
In the 2000s, property values rose after expensive projects were completed ^[5] and demand for second homes increased. ^[6] This led some middle class families to move from Galveston to other areas such as League City, Texas City, and La Marque. The city population grew by seven tenths of a percent from 2000 to 2005 according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The tax base of the Galveston ISD grew by 13% in 2005 while Galveston ISD lost many district-zoned non-Hurricane Katrina evacuee students.^[7]
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 nation's fourth largest city, Houston.^[8]

Architecture

Buildings in Galveston notable for their architecture include many in the Historic Strand District, The Hotel Galvez, the Moody Mansion, Ashton Villa, and Bishop's Palace.
'Tallest Buildings in Galveston'

★ Palisade Palms Trade Winds Tower (Under construction)

★ Palisade Palms Beach Club (Under construction)

★ The Emerald Condominiums (Under construction)

★ Ocean Grove Condominiums (Under construction)

★ East Beach Resort & Spa (Under construction)
# American National Insurance Company Tower (One Moody Plaza)
# San Luis Resort South Tower
# San Luis Resort North Tower
# The Breakers Condominiums
# The Galvestonian Resort and Condos
# One Shearn Moody Plaza
# US National Bank Building
# By The Sea Condominiums
# John Sealy Hospital Towers at UTMB
# Medical Arts Building (aka Two Moody Plaza)

The Port of Galveston

The Port of Galveston, also called Galveston Wharves, began as a trading post in 1825. Today, the port has grown to of port facilities. The port is located on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, on the north side of Galveston Island, with some facilities on Pelican Island. The port has facilities to handle all types of cargo including containers, dry and liquid bulk, breakbulk, RO/RO, refrigerated, and project cargoes. The port of Galveston also serves as a passenger cruise ship terminal for cruise ships operating in the Caribbean.

Geography and Climate

Galveston is located at (29.281137, -94.825945).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 539.6 km² (208.4 mi²). 119.5 km² (46.2 mi²) of it is land and 420.1 km² (162.2 mi²) of it (77.85%) is water.
All Time Record High Temperature: 104 °F set on September 5, 2000.
All Time Record Low Temperature: 8 °F set on February 12, 1899.
Greatest one day rainfall: 13.93 inches set on October 8, 1901.

Monthly Normal and Record High and Low Temperatures
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Rec High °F	78	83	85	92	94	99	101	100	96	94	85	80
Norm High °F	61.9	64.4	70	75.2	81.4	86.6	88.7	89.3	86.5	79.7	71.3	64.3
Norm Low °F	49.7	51.5	58.2	64.7	72.3	77.8	79.8	79.5	75.6	68.4	59.4	51.8
Rec Low °F	11	8	26	38	52	57	66	67	52	39	26	14
Precip (in)	4.08	2.61	2.76	2.56	3.7	4.04	3.45	4.22	5.76	3.49	3.64	3.53
''Source: USTravelWeather.com [1]''

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 57,247 people, 23,842 households, and 13,732 families residing in the city. The population density was 478.9/km² (1,240.4/mi²). There were 30,017 housing units at an average density of 251.1/km² (650.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 58.66% White, 25.49% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 3.21% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 9.73% from other races, and 2.41% from two or more races. 25.77% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 23,842 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.6% were married couples living together, 16.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.4% were non-families. 35.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,895, and the median income for a family was $35,049. Males had a median income of $30,150 versus $26,030 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,275. About 17.8% of families and 22.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.1% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.

Notable Galvestonians

★ Nicholas Joseph Clayton (1840-1916), important architect

★ Jack Johnson (1878-1946), first black heavyweight boxing champion

★ Albert Lasker (1880-1952), advertising mogul and benefactor

★ King Vidor (1894-1982), film director

★ Douglas Corrigan (1907-1995), Famous aviator aka "Wrong Way Corrigan"

★ Thomas M. Price (1916-1998), Prominent modern architect

★ Katherine Helmond (b. 1928), actress

★ Kay Bailey Hutchison (b. 1943), US Senator for Texas

★ Valerie Perrine (b. 1943), actress

★ Larry Coryell (b. 1943), Jazz guitarist

★ Barry White (1944-2003), soul singer

★ Jonathan Pollard (b. 1954), spy for Israel

★ Bill Engvall (b.1957), comedian

★ Mikhael Ricks (b. 1974), NFL player

★ Steve McKinney (b. 1975), NFL player

★ Damon Jones (b. 1976), NBA player

★ Michael Bishop (b. 1976), CFL player

★ Casey Hampton (b. 1977), NFL player

★ Brandon Backe (b. 1978), MLB player

★ Greg Randall (b. 1978), NFL player

★ Javon Walker (b. 1978), NFL player

★ Randy Hymes (b. 1979), NFL player

★ Felix Cora Jr. (b. 1980), professional boxer

★ Derrek Pope (b. 1982), NFL player

★ Angela Beyince (b. 1982), Songwriter

★ Alex McLeod (b. 1968), actress

★ Regina Thompson (b.???), 22 time World Champion Women's Karate

Transportation

Island Transit, which also runs the Galveston Island Trolley, operates Galveston Island's public transportation services.
Interstate 45 terminates in Galveston and serves as a main artery to Galveston from mainland Galveston County and Houston. FM 3005 connects Galveston to Brazoria County via the San Luis Pass-Vacek toll bridge. And State Highway 87, via the free Bolivar Ferry, connects the island to the Bolivar Peninsula.
Scholes International Airport at Galveston, a general aviation and military airport, is located in Galveston.

Galveston in Pop Culture

The Jimmy Buffett song, "Who's the Blonde Stranger?" and Glen Campbell's "Galveston" are set in Galveston, as are ZZ Top's "Balinese", and Gene Autry's "Gallivantin' Galveston Gal."
The Galveston shoreline was the filming location for the infamous beach-driving scene between Jack Nicholson and Shirley MacLaine in the 1983 Oscar winning film Terms of Endearment.

Education

Colleges and universities

The city is home to three post-secondary institutions: Galveston College (a junior college opened in 1967), Texas A&M University at Galveston, and University of Texas Medical Branch.

Primary and Secondary schools

Public Schools

The city of Galveston is served by Galveston Independent School District.
'GISD Elementary Schools'

★ Burnet Elementary School (PK-5)

★ L.A. Morgan Elementary School (PK-5)

★ Greta Oppe Elementary School (PK-5)

★ Gladnieo Parker Elementary School (PK-5)

★ Henry Rosenberg Elementary School (PK-5)

★ Charles B. Scott Elementary School (PK-5)
'GISD Middle Schools'

★ Austin Middle School (6-8)

★ Central Middle School (6-8)

★ Weis Middle School (6-8)
'GISD High School'

★ Ball High School (9-12)

State Charter Schools

Charter Schools are state-funded schools not affiliated with the local school district.

★ Ambassadors Preparatory Academy ^[9] (K thru 5th)

★ Odyssey Academy ^[10] (Pre-K thru 8th)

Private Schools

'Elementary'

★ Galveston Catholic School (K thru 8th) - operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

★ Satori Elementary School ^[11] (K thru 6th) - non-religious, parent cooperative school.

★ Trinity Episcopal School^[12] (Pre-K thru 8th) - operated by the Episcopal Church.
'High School'

★ O'Connell Consolidated High School ^[13] (9-12) - affiliated with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
'K thru 12th'

★ Heritage Christian Academy (K thru 12th)

★ Seaside Christian Academy^[14] (K thru 12th) - affiliated with Seaside Baptist Church in Jamaica Beach

Public libraries

The city is served by the Rosenberg Library. ^[15]

Postal service

The United States Postal Service operates three post offices in Galveston:

★ 'Galveston Main Post Office' - 601 25th Street, 77550-9998

★ 'Bob Lyons Post Office Station' - 5826 Broadway Street, 77551-9998

★ 'Medical Branch Unit' on the campus of the University of Texas Medical Branch, 77555-9998

Closed Stations

★ 'West Galveston Station (77554-9998)' - This station was located in Jamaica Beach. Station closed in June 2007 when the landlord declined to renew the lease. According to the Galveston Postmaster, there are no plans to re-open the station at a new location. The area is now served by the Bob Lyons station away.

Community information

The Galveston County YMCA is located in Galveston.

Sister cities

Galveston has five sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International:

★ Thiruvananthapuram, India

★ Veracruz, Mexico

★ Stavanger, Norway

★ Niigata, Japan

★ Cape Town, South Africa

See also

★ John Sealy Hospital

★ USS Cavalla (SS-244)

Notes

1. http://www.scottarnoldpc.com/br/historyofBalinese.htm
2. http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=cecba57d52dda271
3. http://galveston.ssp.nmfs.gov/aboutus/fortcrockett/index.html
4. http://http://galvestondailynews.com/history.lasso
5. http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/realestate/07/22coastal.html
6. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/4571804.html] ("Workers in Galveston increasingly can't afford to live there", ''Houston Chronicle'', February 22, 2007)
7. http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=cecba57d52dda271]
8. http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/070601/next.shtml
9. http://www.apagalv.org/
10. http://www.odyssey-academy.com/
11. http://www.satorischool.com/
12. http://www.tesgalv.org
13. http://www.ochsgalv.org/
14. http://www.seasideacademy.org/
15. http://www.rosenberg-library.org/

External links

★ City of Galveston government site

★ Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau

★

★

★ Galveston Chamber of Commerce

★ Galveston Island State Park

★ The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

★ Texas A&M University at Galveston

★ Galveston College

★ Galveston Independent School District

★ ''The Galveston County Daily News''

★ Galveston Shriner's Hospital

★ ''The early history of Galveston, by Dr. J. O. Dyer'', published 1916, hosted by the Portal to Texas History

★ Galveston Railroad Museum

★ Galveston Symphony Orchestra

★ Texas Seaport Museum

★ History of Galveston

★ Bio of Isaac Monroe Cline

★ High resolution photos of the disaster

★ Dickens on the Strand

★ Historical Galveston Architecture

★ Mardi Gras Galveston Island

★ Galveston music scene

★ International Oleander Society