|
GALVESTON is located on a barrier island off the coast near
the southeast corner of Texas. It is 50 miles from Houston, close
enough to the activities & opportunities of the big city, but small
enough to maintain its neighborhood charm & rich history.
Galveston is home to the University of Texas Medical Branch(UTMB),
American National Insurance(ANICO) and the Maritime Branch of
Texas A&M University.
....A LITTLE HISTORY
The town of Galveston was founded in 1840 and quickly became
a thriving seaport rivaling New Orleans; it was a major financial
center, sometimes referred to as the Wall Street of Texas.
Many of the state's oldest buildings and institutions were built
here: the state's first post office, first school, first
newspaper, first hospital, first telephone & electrical service,
first opera house, and more.
Unfortunately, on September 8, 1900, the "Great Storm" ravaged
the town & killed more than 6,000 men, women and children. One
third of the city's structures were destroyed. But rather than defeat
the people who had grown to love their city, the effects of the storm
pulled them together, binding survivors of every nationality, race,
religion, and social/economic background. Almost immediately,
after the awful disposal of bodies of humans and animals, and
after the clean-up of mountains of debris, citizens banded together
to plan Galveston's renewal. From this resolve came the amazing
feat of the Galveston Seawall and the "grade-raising" of the
ground behind it.
Today, more than 100 years and several generations later, Galveston's
inhabitants, old timers and new arrivals, love their hometown ever
as much. Scores of old historical homes and public buildings
that survived the Great 1900 Storm have been carefully restored
for future generations to enjoy and learn from. Many new
developments are in progress, with particular sensitivity and care
for the rich natural environment and cultural history of our Island.
There are so many fun and enriching things to do in Galveston: Beaches,
boating, water-skiing, surfing, fishing, crabbing, bird watching, sight-seeing,
and cruises. There are many places to enjoy: the Seawall, historical homes,
Moody Rainforest & Aquarium Pyramids, Schlitterbahn Water Park,
seafood restaurants, 1890 Grand Opera House, Strand historical shopping district,
historical churches, Tall Ship Elissa, WWII Submarine, Flight Museum and
many others. Also, special events are great fun: Dicken's on the Strand,
Mardi Gras, Historical Homes Tour, Backyard Gardens Tour, Featherfest,
Sand Castle Competition, Power Boat Races, Sailboat Regatta
Event, Motorcycle Rally, Juneteenth Celebration,
Greek Festival and many others.
Come for a visit soon! But be warned, once you breathe
that clean salt air, you might decide not to leave.....!
|