Hurricane's, Pirates and More... Galveston Shouldn't Be Missed!
Written: Jun 05 '01 (Updated Jun 05 '01)
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Pros: Fun for the whole family
Cons: It's Texas - It's Humid!
The Bottom Line: If you're in the Houston area, don't miss Galveston. I don't know that I'd travel to Texas just for it, but if you're here, enjoy it!
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| shanna's Full Review: Texas Gulf Coast |
The idea of Texas usually makes people visualize Longhorns, Oil Rigs, and maybe a very long Cadillac, but Texas is rich in history and the Gulf Coast of Texas is certainly not lacking in that area. The Galveston area is one I wouldn't want anyone visiting the Houston area to miss, especially if you enjoy history, lovely old homes, the sun and have a weekend to spare. Galveston was once known as the Wallstreet of the Southwest as it was very prosperous and the center for commerce in the early history of The Republic of Texas (this being the 1830s & 40's).
Many Texas firsts come from the Galveston area like the first post office in Texas, the first naval base and even the first telephone, among many other things. The oldest newspaper in the state of Texas was created in Galveston in 1842 and is still surviving today, The Galveston County Daily News.
However, prosperity seemed doomed as a storm descended on the island on September 8, 1900, winds gusting at greater than 120 miles per hour. The booming town and seaport were nearly destroyed by what is now called the Great Storm. The winds and a tidal surge killed 6000 people and destroyed nearly everything in it's path. Over 1/3 of the city was destroyed and is still the worst natural disaster is US history.
With Texans being Texans.... A little storm or big one would not keep them down, the locals banded together and decided their community must be rebuilt, but foresaw that it would need protection in the future. With this in mind they built what it now the seawall. The seawall is 7 miles long, 17 feet high and required the entire coastline to be graded to raise the city. The seawall was completed in 1962 and now protects 1/3 of the Galveston sea front. While Galveston was busy rebuilding, neighboring Houston decided to build themselves a little seaport and surpassed Galveston in tonnage and became the preeminent port of Texas. But Galveston simply refuses to be beat, not by natural disaster or by neighbors. So to ensure their financial stability they decided to become the playground of the notable and wealthy. Lavishly grand homes were built, entertainment areas created and excellent restaurants serving fine foods were created to entertain both locals and tourist alike.
When you visit Galveston today you can see footage from the Great Storm, visit over a dozen historical museums and homes, lay on the beach or even hang out in the rain forest at one of the three Moody Gardens pyramids. http://www.epinions.com/kifm-review-7EDB-107464D0-39919075-prod1
Now that you're well versed in Galveston history, here's what we enjoyed doing our during a weekend in Galveston.
I was able to enjoyed the beauty of a restored 1900 Galveston landmark, the Moody Mansion. I was able to do my activity planning by stopping at the corner of 23rd & Broadway and visiting the Heritage Visitor's Center. http://www.galvestonhistory.org/plc-visitorcenter.htm The center had all the standard visitors services like maps, brochures, and other local information, which was all current and up to date, you can also get tickets and such here as well, and if you're lucky enough talk to a local historian about the things to do only locals know about.
The Moody Mansion. The Moody's were a proud and powerful Texas family that had their roots in many aspects of the Texas economy, banking, ranching & hotels. The Moody Foundation now is a major force in local health care, education, the arts and historic preservation.
The Mansion was built in 1895 for an another woman but after the great storm of 1900, the home was bought by the Moody's. The home was designed by Pottier & Stymus, whom architectural fans may know had the White House on it's impressive list of plans. The home became the Moody family home where the Moody's and their 4 children lived. Moody's oldest daughter, Mary Moody Northern, lived here until 1983 and passed away in 1986 then the mansion underwent eight years of restoration and opened to the public in 1991.
Upon entering the home, I was blown away by this huge stained-glass window depicting a Victorian family, sits at the first landing of the stair case, with detail and beauty that is nothing short of captivating. The thing I found most interesting about this home was that each room is a different style, there is a French Rococo reception room that adjoins a Classical Revival styled library. I cannot begin to imagine the fun that the children of this home had here.
General Admission is $6, Senior $5, 6-18 yr. olds $3, and under 6 is free. The hours are M-S from 10 - 4 PM and Sunday from 1 - 4:30. For more info call (409) 762-7668.
Leaving the Moody Mansion I drove to an area called "the strand" or Pier 21 area because I could park there and walk to several other area attractions all grouped together. As I continue this Epinion on the fun activities to be found in Galveston, we will pick up down at the Strand area, Pier 21 and the fun that abounds around those parts.
As my journey through the stand on Galveston Island continued the kids and I decided we'd definitely be renting one of the little buggy type bicycles you'd never dare ride anywhere near home, but feel very cool and have a great time doing, when you know there is no chance of anyone you know seeing you! The kids had joined me for this part of the walk. There are plenty of eclectic shops and snack stands that alone will leave your wallet much lighter than when you embarked on your journey, not to mention the souvenir stores as well. Not to get off topic but I just have to know if anyone every really plays with those miniature decks of cards we always buy when in a tourist town? Ours just seem to congregate in the junk drawer back home, many with plastic wrap still in tact.
We enjoyed the ELISSA a great deal. Elissa is now floating in Galveston and for some reason my kids are much more interested in museums that float than those that don't. The Elissa is a 1877 tall ship or square rigged iron barque, which actually sailed into the ports of Galveston twice. which has been impeccably restored and takes you back in time by just approaching it. When we were embarking I felt just like a kid wondering if the ship had seen wicked seas and encountered many pirates during her journeys. The Elissa has been declared one of America's Treasures and it's not difficult to understand why. Friendly dockside sailors, clothed in authentic 1877 sea wear showed the kids how to tie knots and before I knew it I was craving fresh fish for lunch. Fortunately, seafood is abundant in the port town and we headed over to Joe's crab shack for an excellent lunch.
After Joes we came back and enjoyed the restored Grand 1984 Opera House. This is where the kids were more interested in their hackey-sacks and went outside, but I enjoyed it building very much. The Grand is home to the Galveston Symphony Orchestra which if you happen to be in town at the right time and enjoy that type of thing, you will love their performances. You can also catch Broadway shows at the Grand, and many notable celebrities also perform throughout the year.
Genealogy buffs will also enjoy the Texas Seaport Museum, they have a database which has over 130,000 names of immigrants who gained entry to the US at the "Ellis Island of the West" Galveston. You can do a self guided tour, enjoy theater presentations which vary from time to time and access the database.
If you haven't learned enough about the Great Storm, you can step back in time by visiting the Pier 21 Theater. We sat in the panoramic theater watching a documentary on The Great Storm, the 1900 hurricane which is the worst natural disaster in US history. The documentary covers eyewitness accounts, excellent historic photographs that leave nothing to the imagination as to what this hurricane did to Galveston. Another film that the kids went and watched was The Pirate Island of Jean Laffite which chronicles the adventures of a real pirate who was run out of Galveston. Laffitte was thought to have hailed from France, and quite a businessman as well as pirate, no irony is lost on that writer there. Laffite and his band were very active around New Orleans and he had a fleet at one time of up to 10 vessels it's believed. Many traders in the Gulf traded with Laffite as he sailed worldwide. Not only good at pirating Laffite was probably best known for his ability to get himself out of trouble and even finding very reputable men seeking his aid. Once the Governor of Louisiana set a $750 bounty on his head and Laffite told others he would pay double that amount for the capture of the Governor, I believe he would have paid up! During a battle to protect New Orleans from the British, Laffite offered to help General Andrew Jackson. He was initially denied but then Jackson reconsidered and took him up on his offer to save New Orleans, due mainly to the fact that Laffite had flints with gun powder and 1000 extra men for the battle. Had Laffite not assisted in this battle it is almost a foregone assumption that the British would have been successful in capturing New Orleans. Due to the bravery of Laffite and his men General Jackson pardoned Laffite and his crew for their crimes and they moved on to Galveston were he soon took over. Not long however Laffite was run out of Galveston as well, and moved on to Central America.
The Pier 21 Theater is open every day from 11-6 and Friday & Saturday until 8. The Great Storm is $3.50 for adults and students 7-18 are admitted for $2.50. The Pirate Island is $2.50/adults, $1.50 for students. Kids 6 and under are free, and will probably be bored!
A good drive from the strand, perhaps on your way to Moody Gardens you won't want to miss The Menard House, a historical residence. This home is what the mind usually conjures up when thinking of a true Old South Home. The Menard House is the oldest building in Galveston and was built in 1938, by it's namesake Michel B. Menard, the founder of Galveston. One of the most fascinating facts about this house I think is the fact that the home was actually prefabricated and built way up north in Maine and shipped to Galveston. And who thought they were doing prefab way back in the 1800s. The home in all it's southern glory has north and south "Greek Revival" wings which were added around 1843. The home was bought in 1994 and began a multimillion dollar restoration. The new owners went back to the drawing table literally, using drawing from the 1930s Historic American Building Survey. Not even the smallest detail was overlooked and skylights, Jacuzzi's and 13 layers of paint were removed. While touring the home you will see that the drapes and wallpapers have been reproduced and period antiques have been put in place. The home is awe-inspiring and not to be missed on your tour of Galveston historic homes.
I do recommend visitors to the Houston area take the time to check out Galveston, there is a great deal to do, fun family activities and great places to eat
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May
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Epinions.com ID:
shanna
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Member: Shanna
Location: Pensacola Beach
Reviews written: 231
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