history galveston texas history galveston texas begins archaeological record native americans island european settlements island constructed port galveston established following successful revolution spain city served main port texas revolution galveston founded served capital fought american civil war confederate forces major general attacked expelled occupying union troops city mid-19th century galveston emerged international city immigration trade world city nation busiest ports world leading port cotton exports galveston texas largest city era prime commercial center island struck devastating hurricane post hurricane katrina event holds record deadliest natural disaster 1920s 1930s city emerged major tourist destination centered vice businesses featuring venues famed city nationally known sin city gulf illegal businesses finally closed 1950s leading long economic period businesses relocated island insurance businesses medical school remained city gradually emerged tourist destination centered history historical buildings new tourist attractions established development medical school area businesses economy recent decades exploration settlement originally inhabited members tribes island expedition sailed past route florida peninsula actually seen island spain lay claim entire gulf_coast including based expedition soon afterward crew island nearby november calling isle doom began famous trek mexico spanish explorers charting region referred island white island later french explorer named island fixed time earliest known map island bay french explorer left island unnamed named bay spanish explorer charting gulf_coast referred island bay sic bay honor madrid count island continued spanish later colony permanent european settlements island constructed pirate base operations support mexico rebellion spain returned unsuccessful raid spain find island occupied pirate took residence having driven stronghold coast new_orleans louisiana organized island settlement pirate kingdom called head government remained raiders given ultimatum united_states navy leave destroyed burned settlement ground sailed cover night parts unknown following successful revolution spain issued proclamation october establishing port galveston erected customs house texas revolution galveston served main port galveston served capital interim president relocated government native canada associates purchased acres km2 land found town modern city galveston congress republic texas hired survey land completed surveys associates began selling plots april city galveston adopted charter incorporated time island abandoned galveston island exclusive city galveston important slave trade establishing largest slave market west new_orleans census records population slaves free blacks compared free persons living city proportion slaves somewhat rest texas tensions slavery eventually led american_civil_war texas joined confederacy battle galveston fought island january confederate forces major general attacked expelled occupying union troops city remained confederate hands duration war successfully evaded union blockade galveston harbor headed havana final confederate ship slip blockade southern port late 1890s fort defenses coastal artillery batteries constructed galveston oldest nationally celebrated commemoration ending slavery united_states owes origins announcement emancipation proclamation return union forces galveston galveston city texas provide secondary school public library african americans golden era end 19th century city galveston metropolis population position natural harbor galveston bay gulf_of_mexico center trade texas largest cotton ports nation competition new_orleans newspapers started serve island rapidly growing population sole survivor causeway linking island mainland finished paved way railroad expansion golden era galveston history city home number state include post office naval base texas chapter order cotton school insurance company gas lights roman catholic hospital jewish reform congregation congregation israel opera house telephone electric lights medical college branch school nurses galveston home roman catholic cathedral texas rome created texas later elevated july pope approved creation diocese galveston named state texas mid 19th century galveston large city world standards emerged international city immigration trade world island called island west primary point entry european immigrants settling western united_states german immigration period great german language commonly language city streets immigrants simply poor oppressed seeking refuge educated middle class described ship arrival carrying members wealthy class including lawyers merchants skilled workers later 19th century high point history civil rights african americans reconstruction time limited power texas leaders worked establish educational employment opportunities blacks organize black voters support republican_party main party supporting black rights south efforts led higher employment higher wages blacks city especially eventually led combined black white trade unions 1890s early 1900s rose powerful position held black american 19th century storm island struck devastating hurricane post hurricane katrina event holds record deadliest natural disaster early morning september high surf despite prevailing winds north heralded oncoming storm noon low lying areas near gulf bay city flooding winds increased near storm surge approximately feet high slammed coast wind speeds reached approximately miles hour estimate blown weather_bureau building bureau chief account events surrounding hurricane based personal records given storm city devastated estimated people island killed storm city decided shore defenses future storms constructing permanent concrete large portion beach entire grade city raised feet wall feet near rebuilding open era despite attempts draw new investment city hurricane galveston fully returned previous levels national importance prosperity development hindered construction brought port houston direct competition natural harbor port galveston sea traffic recovery rebuild population galveston actively immigration efforts congregation israel galveston focus immigration plan called diverted roughly eastern european jewish immigrants crowded cities additionally numerous immigrant groups including greeks italians russian jews came city period immigration trend substantially altered ethnic makeup island areas texas western storm stalled economic development city houston grew region principal metropolis galveston regained glory recognizing need galveston traditional port related industries member galveston leading families founded years later moody invest galveston establishing later military facility established late 1890s construction disrupted galveston hurricane completed early 1900s facility named fort world war served army artillery training center troops bound france trained use types artillery 1920s early 1930s housed ancestor time group devoted solely attack aircraft second world war focus placed defense german boats fort served prisoner war camp following war served years army recreational center galveston established ran city houston railway recognized fastest line 1920s 1930s city emerged major tourist destination influence city exploited prohibition liquor gambling clubs like offering entertainment wealthy combined prostitution existed city american civil war galveston known sin city gulf accepted supported illegal activities referring island island entered later known open era aside vice oriented entertainment city hosted legitimate entertainment venues events famous annual beauty contest event international contest attracted participants england russia turkey brazil nations demise 1930s 1940s brought change world war galveston municipal airport predecessor international airport redesignated base named funds available congress constructed foot long hard surface airport accommodate army aircraft january officially activated serving anti submarine role gulf_of_mexico later replaced 10th anti submarine squadron flying lockheed wife established purpose present future generations foundation largest united_states play prominent role galveston later decades helping fund numerous civic health oriented programs end war drastically reduced military investment island increasing enforcement gambling laws growth las_vegas pressure gaming industry island finally texas attorney general wilson texas_rangers began massive campaign raids wrecked gambling prostitution city vice industries crashed tourism taking rest galveston economy economy culture city afterward civic leaders failed attempts new ventures including failed football tournament access new industrial park key non entertainment sectors insurance banking medical school helped economy viable recent history economy island entered long period businesses relocated island city houston long paced galveston population economic growth recognizing reverend fifth bishop permitted vatican erect cathedral convenience houston naming cathedral diocese designated diocese galveston mary remained home diocese bishop easily access rapidly growing roman catholic population houston beginning began efforts preserve historic buildings book galveston helped encourage preservation movement restoration efforts financed motivated investors notably houston businessman gradually created strand historic district areas new family oriented tourism emerged city years 1960s saw expansion higher education galveston home city got boost creation predecessor galveston community college formed help provide affordable education community 2000s property values rose expensive projects completed demand second homes increased led middle class families galveston areas city population remained relatively according associated_press compiled list vulnerable places hurricanes galveston areas named reasons cited low elevation single evacuation route island blocked fourth largest city united_states houston landfall early morning september category hurricane winds miles hour produced waves rising storm surge feet went famous flooding city storm unprotected bay island winds drop rain storm left galveston electricity gas water pressure basic communications room historic nightclub notorious illegal gambling hall located foot pier extending gulf_of_mexico destroyed storm island established services population returned damage remains discussions currently way build called protect galveston bay project conceptual stage funding allocated
History of Galveston, Texas