Galveston



At nineteen stories high, the American National Insurance Building is the tallest structure in Galveston. Since the island is at sea level, it cannot support large buildings. The insurance company has the second largest work force on the island, being eclipsed only by the University of Texas Medical Branch.

The east end of Galveston is sprinkled with homes built in the late 1800s to the early 1900s. An historical homes tour is available to see some of these beautiful places.

The Imperial Sugar Company is located on the docks of Galveston to receive it's shipments. Imports from all over the world are shipped into Galveston to be distributed by railcar throughout the United States.

Boxcars line Port Industrial Road ready to transport the goods to the next destination.

The shrimping business does well in Galveston bay and, if you get up early enough in the morning, you can see the boats in the Gulf of Mexico gathering up the day's catch. Shrimp boats are docked near some of the seafood restruants and fresh seafood is readily available at the dining establishments, or sail in for a unique dining experience.

The Strand is a series of old buildings renovated and turned into shops for an enjoyable shopping day. The shops offer a wide variety of goods and curios, clothing, and dining is available on The Strand, as well. For the romantic at heart, cruise around the Strand historical district in a horse drawn carriage.
Annual events occuring on The Strand include the "Dickens Evening on the Strand" each December and the "Mardi Gras" festivities in February.

Walk along the docks of Galveston, just a city block from the Strand sights. Available for tour is an Offshore oil rig docked at one of the piers.

The tall ship Elissa is docked alongside pier twenty-one. The Elissa can be toured. Volunteers may work on the Elissa for a year in order to be able to cruise on one of it's voyages. A guage located near pier twenty-one indicates how high the water has gotten during some of the storms that have found their way to Galveston.

The beaches of Galveston are one of the main reasons for a stop here. The summer hotels are usually booked tight with tourists gathering here to enjoy the beaches and the sun for a few days. It is advisable to book well in advance for holiday weekends. Here is a photo of the San Luis Hotel located on the seawall.

The ferry boat is a free service provided by the Texas Department of Public Transportation to escort vehicles from the east end of the island to the mainland. This is one of the three exits from the island. Many people walk aboard the ferry for the forty-five minute round trip ride across the bay to Port Boliver and back.

Large granite rocks were brought onto the island in the early 1900s and placed on the beaches.

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church, located on Broadway at fourteenth street, is one of the most eye-catching sights on the island. It is located directly across the street from The Bishop's Palace.

Here is a link to my hometown newspaper.



Continue on to the Galveston tourism page, created by the city of Galveston.

This is a page dedicated to the devastation of Galveston as a result of the worst natural disaster in the nation - the 1900 storm.
The death toll on the island reached over 6,000 after the hurricane and the tornadoes it spawned had paved their path through the city at the beginning of September.



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