Galveston is known for its historic neighborhoods and a ten-mile (15 km) long seawall designed to protect the city from floods and hurricane storm surge.

The city houses many tourist attractions. The attractions include the Galveston Schlitterbahn waterpark, Moody Gardens, the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, 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 600-foot (200 m) pier extending into the Gulf of Mexico.

Galveston is the second-largest city in Galveston County in population after League City; League City surpassed Galveston between 2000 and 2005.

Galveston today

Stewart Title building in Downtown Galveston

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). The city features an array of lodging options, including fine hotels, vintage bed & breakfast inns, beachfront condominiums, and resort rentals.

One Moody Plaza, home to the American National Insurance Company

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 Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, 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. Galveston.com, the city’s official tourism website, launched in the fall of 1994.

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 largest life insurance companies in the United States, and Moody National Bank are headquartered in Galveston.

Galveston beach on the Gulf of Mexico

Galveston contains many restored Victorian homes.

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 and demand for second homes increased. 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 remained relatively the same 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.

In 2003 Houston Press reporter Wendy Grossman published an article stating that prostitution in Galveston is frequently occurring in the morning hours before work; previously prostitution occurred around 2 to 4 A. M., after the clubs closed.

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 fourth largest city in the United States, Houston.

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. The restored Grand 1894 Opera House is still in use.

Tallest buildings:

• 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)

1. American National Insurance Company Tower (One Moody Plaza)

2. San Luis Resort South Tower

3. San Luis Resort North Tower

4. The Breakers Condominiums

5. The Galvestonian Resort and Condos

6. One Shearn Moody Plaza

7. US National Bank Building

8. By The Sea Condominiums

9. John Sealy Hospital Towers at UTMB

10. 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 850 acres (3.4 km²) 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.

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 1,240.4 people per square mile (478.9/km²). There were 30,017 housing units at an average density of 650.4/sq mi (251.1/km²). 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.

Transportation

Island Transit, which also runs the Galveston Island Trolley, operates Galveston Island’s public transportation services.

Interstate 45 Starts 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.

Greyhound Bus Lines serves Galveston Station.

Galveston in pop culture

The Jimmy Buffett song, “Who’s the Blonde Stranger?” and Jimmy Webb’s “Galveston” (popularized by Glen Campbell) are set in or refer to Galveston, as are ZZ Top’s “Balinese”, Dierks Bentley’s “I Can Only Think of One”, Gene Autry’s “Gallivantin’ Galveston Gal” and R.E.M.:s “Houston”.

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.

Rapper DMX shot the music video for “Party Up (In Here)” at the Frost Bank in Galveston.

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

Ball High School

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

State charter schools are state-funded schools not affiliated with the local school district.

• Ambassadors Preparatory Academy (K through 5th)

• Odyssey Academy (Pre-K through 8th)

Private schools

O’Connell College Preparatory School

Elementary

• Galveston Catholic School (K through 8th) – operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.

• Satori Elementary School (K through 6th) – non-religious, parent cooperative school.

• Trinity Episcopal School (Pre-K through 8th) – operated by the Episcopal Church.

High School

• O’Connell College Preparatory School

K through 12th

• Heritage Christian Academy (K through 12th)

• Seaside Christian Academy (K through 12th) – Located in Galveston, affiliated with Seaside Baptist Church in Jamaica Beach

Public libraries

Rosenberg Library

The city is served by the Rosenberg Library.

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

In November 2007 a Contract Postal Unit opened inside a local business in Jamaica Beach.

• West Galveston Contract Unit ( 77554-9998 ) – Bob Smith Drive near FM 3005.

Community information

The Galveston County Department of Parks and Senior Services operates the Galveston Community Center at 2201 Avenue L.

The Galveston County YMCA is located in Galveston.

Source: Galveston, Texas in Wikipedia