galveston texas galveston coastal city located state texas community square miles km2 population people census estimate county seat second largest municipality located houston woodlands sugar land metropolitan area named madrid count born spain galveston european settlements island constructed french pirate help fledgling fight spain port galveston established following successful independence spain city served main port later served capital 19th century galveston major commercial center largest ports united_states devastated galveston hurricane effects included flooding storm surge natural disaster exposed barrier island ranked deadliest united_states history estimated toll people galveston modern economy centered tourism health care shipping financial industries acre branch campus enrollment students major economic force city galveston home historic districts containing largest historically significant collections 19th century buildings united_states structures listed national_register_of_historic_places history exploration 19th century development originally inhabited members tribes called island spanish explorer crew island nearby november calling isle bad fate began years long trek spanish settlement mexico_city charting gulf_coast spanish explorer named island town honor madrid count permanent european settlements island constructed pirate base operations support mexico rebellion spain returned unsuccessful raid spain find galveston occupied pirate organized galveston pirate kingdom called island head government remained galveston raiders forced island united_states_navy established port galveston erected customs house galveston served capital interim president relocated government french canadian associates purchased acres km2 land found town modern city galveston anglo americans migrated city brought purchased enslaved african americans worked domestically waterfront including city galveston adopted charter incorporated city burgeoning port entry attracted new residents 1840s later flood german immigrants texas including jewish merchants ethnic mexican residents groups tended oppose slavery support union civil war join republican_party war expansion city state founding institutions adoption post office naval base texas chapter order cotton catholic school insurance company gas lights american civil war confederate forces major general attacked expelled occupying union troops city january galveston suffered yellow fever epidemic people died city occurred waterfront river cities 19th century cholera city progress continued reconstruction era numerous construction opera house installation telephone lines electric lights having attracted rural areas city black population totaled slaves numerous persons free men color educated war blacks comprised nearly city population year post civil war period leaders headed promoted civil rights helped dramatically improve educational employment opportunities blacks galveston texas established business union black break white monopoly dock jobs galveston cosmopolitan city successful reconstruction headquartered german families sheltered teachers north hundreds taught read business community promoted progress immigrants continued stay arriving port entry end 19th century city galveston population position natural harbor galveston bay gulf_of_mexico center trade texas largest cotton ports nation competition new_orleans 19th century port city galveston grew rapidly strand considered region primary business center time strand known late 1890s government constructed fort defenses coastal artillery batteries galveston february galveston officially visited uss texas nicknamed old commissioned battleship united_states_navy festivities ship officers presented silver service adorned texas motifs gift citizens state hurricane recovery september island struck devastating hurricane event holds record deadliest natural disaster city devastated estimated people island killed following storm mile long foot high constructed protect city floods hurricane storm surge team engineers including robert rules order designed plan raise existing city sufficient elevation confidence city maintained city developed city commission form city government known galveston plan help recovery 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 usual destinations 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 developed region principal metropolis galveston economic leaders recognized need traditional port related industries members galveston leading families founded years later later 1920s 1930s city emerged major tourist destination influence city exploited prohibition liquor gambling clubs like offered entertainment wealthy combined prostitution existed city civil war galveston known sin city gulf accepted supported illegal activities referring island island entered later known open era 1930s 1940s brought change world war galveston municipal airport predecessor international airport designated base named january officially activated serving anti submarine role gulf_of_mexico wife established benefit 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 nevada competitive center gambling entertainment pressure gaming industry island finally texas attorney general wilson texas_rangers began massive campaign raids disrupted gambling prostitution city vice industries crashed tourism taking rest galveston economy economy culture city afterward economy island entered long period businesses relocated island period health care insurance financial industries continue strong contributors economy city houston long paced galveston population economic growth beginning began efforts preserve historic buildings book galveston helped encourage preservation movement restoration efforts financed motivated investors notably houston businessman gradually developed strand historic district areas new family oriented tourism emerged city years 1960s came expansion higher education galveston home city got boost creation predecessor galveston community college established 2000s property values rose expensive projects completed demand second homes wealthy increased difficult middle class workers find affordable housing island hurricane landfall early morning september category hurricane winds miles hour damage extensive buildings storm island rebuilt investments tourism shipping continued emphasis higher education health care notably addition replacement type railroad causeway vertical lift type allow heavier freight geography city galveston situated barrier island texas gulf coast near mainland coast sand sized particles smaller amounts finer mud sediments larger gravel sized sediments island unstable affected water weather shift boundaries erosion city miles southeast downtown houston island oriented generally northeast southwest gulf_of_mexico east south west galveston bay north island main access point mainland interstate highway causeway crosses northeast island channel connects galveston harbor gulf according city total area square miles km2 square miles km2 land square miles km2 water island miles southeast houston western portion galveston referred west end communities eastern galveston include lake east end residents west end use golf transportation residential houses stores chief police said believed golf prohibited outside golf courses west end residents campaigned ban use released study sustainable strategies galveston island argued west end galveston quickly city reduce construction population area recommended rebuilding west end event damage hurricane scientists increasingly recognize barrier islands inherently unstable permanently fixed historic districts galveston home historic districts structures listed representing architectural significance national_register_of_historic_places located broadway bounded 23rd 26th contains collection historic homes constructed civil war world war located sides broadway contains buildings historic districts include fort travis mainly victorian era buildings adapted use restaurants antique stores historical exhibits museums art galleries area major tourist attraction island city center popular seasonal festivals widely considered island shopping entertainment center today strand generally refer entire block business district 20th 25th streets downtown galveston close city wharf climate galveston climate classified humid subtropical climate classification system prevailing winds south southeast bring heat mexico moisture gulf_of_mexico summer temperatures regularly exceed area humidity drives heat index higher nighttime lows average winters area temperate typical january highs lows near snowfall generally rare snow fell february making winter record annual rainfall averages inches year areas typically receiving inches hurricanes present threat summer fall season puts galveston generally greatest risk communities near island peninsula provide bay shoreline faces significant danger storm surge demographics census data census people households families residing city estimate city total population population density people square mile km2 housing units average density square mile km2 racial makeup city white black african american native american asian pacific races races population hispanic latino race households children age living married couples living female husband present non families households individuals living years age older average household size average family size city population age years age older median age years females males females age males median income household city median income family males median income versus females capita income city families population poverty line including age age economy port galveston port galveston called began trading post today port grown acres km2 port facilities port located north facilities port facilities handle types cargo including containers dry liquid bulk roll roll cargo project port serves passenger cruise ship terminal cruise ships operating caribbean terminal home port vessels carnival conquest november company galveston home port passenger mega ships sails seven day caribbean cruise galveston largest cruise ship based port year round galveston home port seas largest cruise ship based largest ships world september disney cruise line based galveston offering day cruises caribbean bahamas finance largest life insurance companies united_states based galveston company operate states district_of_columbia puerto_rico subsidiary provides products services mexico headquarters downtown galveston largest privately owned texas based banks trust department established billion dollars assets largest state addition regional headquarters iowa based located city health care galveston home largest teaching hospitals state located campus branch galveston prior hurricane university employed people significant growth 1970s 1980s uniquely qualified management medical faculty including severely damaged bed causing cut nearly hospital staff storm committed spending million restore campus construct new medical towers return bed pre storm capacity approved construction new story hospital located construction begin fall demolition old hospitals continue completion facility room operating intensive care beds new hospital complete renovations complexes beds university reopened level trauma center august closed months hurricane september reopened hospital beds city home bed acute burns hospital children galveston galveston hospital chain non profit hospitals provides acute burns care damaged hurricane national convention held july voted repair reopen hospital tourism late 1800s galveston known playground south today retains shared claim title major cities gulf_coast states galveston popular tourist destination brought million local economy attracted million visitors city features array lodging options including hotels historic vintage bed breakfast resort city tourist attractions include botanical park downtown neighborhood historic buildings known strand historical museums miles beach west end pocket parks strand plays host yearly festival victorian themed christmas festival called strand honoring works novelist especially christmas carol early december galveston home historic ships tall ship official texas park nearby galveston ranked number cruise port gulf_coast fourth united_states arts culture museums non profit non collecting arts organization center exhibits contemporary art texas based artists offers educational outreach programs notably produces museum entry free public cash donations welcomed membership options range volunteer opportunities available october celebrate relocation original home historic strand style storm survivor extensively damaged hurricane fortunately weeks landfall installed support entire structural load building repairs likely preventing collapse heavy winds storm surge lengthy fundraising campaign restoration nearing completion events takes place approximately weeks saturday evenings year organized releases featuring map participating venues descriptions shows exhibits venues include artist studios galleries additionally art shown walls example outdoors musicians perform outdoors venues old quarter acoustic cafe events concentrated downtown number participants island galveston symphony home ensemble amateur professional musicians formed direction musical director conductor galveston ballet regional pre professional ballet company academy serving company presents length classical ballet spring year mixed program fall presented grand grants studio space living space visual artists year resident artists work variety exhibit work located renovated industrial structures west downtown hosts performances public events developed property featuring seven live work units designated affordable housing artists project brought new life historic left abandoned years originally built structure extensively renovated serve functions offices stores building housed galveston office storm property manager creative director unused retail space building found new purpose art music venue despite undeveloped state newly renovated space reopened unique bar gallery provides common area neighborhood residents cultural hub broader community visual art events live music regularly hosted space architecture galveston contains largest historically significant collections 19th century buildings united_states galveston architectural preservation efforts decades earned national recognition located grand restored historic revival style currently operated profit performing arts theater known castle ornate victorian house located broadway 14th street galveston texas listed significant buildings united_states classified fourteen representative victorian structures nation historic hotel opened building named honoring madrid count city named hotel added national_register_of_historic_places april house built oldest galveston designed greek revival style house bought police chief city storm family owned home 1970s red brick home constructed brick structures texas listed national_register_of_historic_places recorded structure site holiday known june union general standing balcony read contents general order slaves state texas joseph church built german immigrants oldest wooden church building galveston oldest texas church dedicated april patron saint laborers building wooden gothic revival structure rectangular square bell tower window began construction completed occupied building american civil war site ceremony officially ending civil war galveston modern architecture include moody plaza north towers breakers pyramid moody gardens known moody plaza media founded city primary newspaper oldest continuously printed newspaper texas currently serves newspaper record city serves newspaper record county radio station air previously served local media outlet television station signed air march originally licensed galveston second television station launch houston area original investors station actor small group galveston investors june changed sign moved main office houston local hip hop galveston town sculpture statues sculptures found city known sculptures resignation texas heroes monument notable people galveston home important figures texas history island earliest history domain famed pirate american hero war represented galveston senate assisted drawing constitution grandson founding fathers united_states_of_america african american galveston civil rights leader rose head important southern black leaders century noted portrait landscape artist moved galveston day hurricane survived studio portfolio destroyed survivor hurricane hollywood director directing debut film hurricane galveston later nicknamed galveston giant black world heavyweight boxing champion half 20th century established business empire includes major national founded largest charitable organizations united_states nationally known organized crime boss help family largely responsible making galveston major tourist destination 1920s 1940s texas seventy years longtime executive vice president early given nickname wrong way claiming mistakenly ocean crossing refused permission flight grammy award winning singer songwriter born island later moved los_angeles pioneer hydraulic technology developer woodlands texas born raised galveston recently established corporation owns numerous restaurants entertainment venues texas nevada senior senator texas female texas senator incoming republican member born galveston lived early childhood israel convicted sentenced life jail born galveston film television actor native vancouver british_columbia lived galveston died notable people include second baseman wide receiver actress fashion designer creator house mother beyoncé grammy award winning jazz legend born galveston government infrastructure local government hurricane city originated form city government known galveston plan city adopted council manager form government galveston city council serves city legislative branch city manager works chief executive officer municipal court system serves city judicial branch city council mayor promote establish municipal policies consists elected positions derived specified electoral district city council member elected year term mayor elected year term city council city manager city secretary city city attorney municipal judge city determined city council city manager hires employees promotes development presents budget city council policies mayor having replaced term limited thomas grandson scandal 1970s city services provides fire protection services fire stations pieces apparatus provided city police protection years authorized officers serve divisions city served successor founded oldest public library state texas library serves headquarters galveston county library system librarian functions librarian county state federal government galveston seat second largest city texas population houses county judicial functions jail located street seat civil administrative functions located near city downtown galveston county patrick serves commissioner operates law enforcement headquarters jail operates galveston located represents district galveston district represents district portion galveston represents district galveston texas 14th congressional district represented republican texas federal court texas based galveston jurisdiction counties housed federal building downtown galveston operates post offices galveston including addition post office contract postal unit campus west galveston contract postal unit located west end community transportation international airport galveston runway airport galveston airport primarily general aviation offshore energy transportation limited military operations nearest commercial airline service city operated houston hall emergency room galveston railway originally established named galveston wharf class iii terminal switching railroad primarily serves transportation cargo port galveston railway operates miles yard track galveston acre facility island transit operates manages city public transportation services bus service galveston previously operated following company acquisition service operated regular bus service discontinued galveston served amtrak connecting bus service texas interstate southern terminus galveston serves main galveston mainland houston farm market road locally called connects galveston known locally broadway street connects island ferry project construct proposed bridge link galveston peninsula cancelled education colleges universities established building fewer students today campus grown buildings enrollment students acre campus includes schools medicine nursing allied health graduate school sciences advanced studies medical major medical library seven hospitals network provide range primary specialized medical care numerous research facilities galveston home post secondary institutions offering traditional degrees higher education junior college opened galveston ocean oriented branch campus primary secondary schools city galveston served includes elementary schools middle schools high school middle school serving grades galveston state funded charter schools affiliated local school districts including 8th grade pre 8th addition knowledge power program opened galveston auspices private schools exist galveston operates roman catholic private schools including 8th private schools include seaside galveston media literature galveston popular song written sung main characters series grew galveston theater film man galveston original pilot episode proposed nbc western television series cast lawyer youngest son legendary time real temple houston county attorney texas temple houston series lasted episodes television season short story bought little city unnamed man fortune buying galveston sell galveston setting fantasy novel galveston flood magic takes island city resulting strange adventures tied declare won award preliminary nominee novel exploration island galveston texas histories families reside mentioned galveston island book twilight series eclipse galveston novel creator hbo series true detective sister cities galveston sister cities designated japan
Galveston, Texas