Galveston Texas History and Resilience

In 1900 Galveston boasted being the "third richest city in the United States in proportion to population" and efforts were being made to increase its sea port value.

All major railroads served Galveston and 60% of the state's cotton crop was exported through its port. At one time, Galveston, Texas was considered the Wall Street of the south.

Galveston had the first electric power in Texas to residences, and telephone pole's before the 1900 storm.

The hurricane that destroyed Galveston on September 8, 1900, is the nations's deadliest natural disaster.

Although its death toll will never be known precisely, the 1900 Storm claimed upwards of 8,000 lives on Galveston Island and several thousand more on the mainland. In Galveston, it destroyed 2, 636 houses and left thousands more damaged. The city's property losses were estimated at $28-30 million.

After the 1900 Storm, Galveston questioned; " How should the city be protected from future hurricanes?"

The first step was the building of the seawall.

On September 7, 1901, the Texas State Legislature approved an act providing for the construction of a seawall for Galveston, and the raising of the city's elevation.

In January 1902, the Board issued its report, calling for the construction of a seawall that ran from the south jetty near 8th street to Avenue D and 6th Street, and westward to 39th Street along the Gulf of Mexico. The initial segment of the Seawall was completed July 29, 1904.

This portion, made of concrete, was 3.3 miles long, 16 feet at its base, and 5 feet wide on top, and 17 feet high. The outer face of the Seawall was curved to carry waves upwards. Riprap was placed along the base facing the Gulf of Mexico to break up wave action. The initial segment was completed at a cost of almost $1.6 million.

It proved its worth first during the hurricane of September 21, 1909. Its critical test came with the hurricane of August 16, 1915.

The seawall dramatically lowered the loss of life and destruction.

A second segment was built between December 1904 and October 1905 to protect Fort Crockett. It received Congressional funding. This portion ran 4,935 feet from 39th to 53rd streets. The Seawall was extended westward to 61st Street in 1927 and 99th Street in 1963.

After the Seawall was completed, Galveston undertook the raising of the grade.

(before and after)

(before)

(after)

The original elevation of that portion of Galveston Island probably averaged around five or six feet above mean low tide.

Afterwards, the elevation varied from eight feet along the Bay side or waterfront, to about twenty-two feet at the Seawall or Gulf side.

The expense was borne by the taxpayers and the individual property owners.

In order to complete the project, it was necessary to dredge a canal through the heart of the city.

Residences within the limits of this canal were moved to each side and the material dredged from the canal was pumped toward the seawall where the heaviest filling was required. Hopper dredges then filled themselves with sand from between the jetties, steamed up the canal and discharged their load through a network of pipe lines.

People continued to live in their raised houses during the time the filling process was going on, travelling to and from on boardwalks fastened to the top of fences.

When the filling was complete the canal was dammed at intervals and refilled. The houses that had been removed from the area of the canal were then moved back to the original site, all of the filled land was sodded, streets graded and paved, and street railway tracks relaid.

The last area filled was completed in 1928.

After Hurricane Ike of 2008, Galveston suffered some of the same damage and destruction.

Thanks to the hard work and efforts of our ancestors in construction of the Seawall and of the grade raising; Galveston has not only survived, but after our efforts... is thriving one year later.

This year we have enjoyed one of the most busy summer's on Galveston Island. Our real estate in Galveston is booming, and our beaches, businesses and homes are better than ever.

*Historical photos of Galveston courtesy of Galveston Rosenberg Library. Please visit and read more about the facinating history of Galveston Island.