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On Sept. 13th, 2008, Galveston Bay faced the eye of Hurricane Ike, a category two storm. Ike had been downgraded from a category four (out of a possible five), but the potential devastation was frightening. So frightening, in fact, meteorologists were strongly recommending complete evacuation of the island. After Ike made landfall in Galveston, Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas estimated that up to 20,000 Galvestonians, or one-quarter of the city's population, chose to stay and face the wrath of Hurricane Ike.
“Please leave,” spoke Mayor Thomas to Galveston residents who were still on the island in mid-September. Native islanders are a hearty bunch and are not immune to facing environmental disasters. After all, Galveston was the site of the largest, most devastating storm in American history – the great storm on Sept. 8th, 1900. Now, in the middle of September 2008, residents were faced with power outages and lack of basic supplies.
After the Great Storm of 1900, the city of Galveston prepared for future storms by building a seawall. The seawall stretches over 10 miles in length and is 17 feet high, buffering the island from high tides stemming from the Gulf of Mexico. However, in 2008, Hurricane Ike bypassed the seawall and hit Galveston hardest on the West Beach and Bay areas.
Immediately after Hurricane Ike hit Galveston, the town began rebuilding. All along the seawall, trucks roared into the island to bring fresh sand and emergency supplies to native islanders and local businesses.
Everywhere you look, Post-Ike optimism abounds; from the FEMA building handing out building supplies, to Galvestonians making necessary repairs on their homes, to Moody Gardens once again open for business, to the cruise ship industry bringing the Carnival Conquest, Carnival Ecstasy and the Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas back to their home terminal from their temporary home in the port of Houston.
Historic Homes of Galveston
Boasting 32 miles of beaches along the Gulf Coast, Galveston is a Mecca for history buffs. Pirate Jean Lafitte discovered the island in 1817. Galveston is overflowing with 19th century homes and unique architecture from that bygone era. The historical society of Galveston began in the 1800s and was officially incorporated in 1954. Molly Dannenmaier, with the foundation, is proud to say, “Three months after the storm (Ike), many of us have fully repaired our homes and businesses.”
“The East End National Historic Landmark District, which contains the largest collection of houses on the island,” Dannenmaier explains, “was severely flooded during Hurricane Ike, but most of the damage was to contents, walls and floors. From the outside, most of the homes still look grand and beautiful.”
Bishop’s Palace, built in the late 1800s, is now a museum maintained by the Galveston Historical Foundation. The building is one of the finest on the island and is complete with rare woods, stained-glass windows and even bronze dragons. Thankfully, the building suffered minimal damage from Ike, the worst being the third story windows being blown off their hinges. The building is now open to the public on weekends, and there is a new visitor’s center on the ground floor.
Historic Lodging in Galveston
Since it’s inception in 1911, the Hotel Galvez, also known as the “Queen of the Gulf,” has been a commanding presence. Hotel Galvez is named for Bernardo de Galvez, a Spanish colonial governor who first chartered the Gulf area in the early 1800s. The city of Galveston derives its name from Bernardo de Galvez. Hotel Galvez is situated directly across the seawall facing the Gulf of Mexico. Once you step inside this recently remodeled historic hotel, you will understand why it is a popular favorite among locals and visitors alike.
Check out room number 505, the scene of paranormal activity during the wee hours in the evenings. The ‘Lovelorn Lady’ was thought to have been a guest in the room, many years ago. When she learned her fiancé was lost at sea and would not return, she is supposed to have hung herself at the Hotel Galvez. If time permits, ask the concierge for a tour of the fifth floor, along with a rendition of the tale of the ‘Lovelorn Lady.’
Seafood and Local Eateries
When most people visit the coast, seafood is close to the top of their ‘to do’ list. When it comes to seafood, Galveston doesn’t disappoint! What began as a humble restaurant inside Murdoch’s Bathhouse in 1911, Gaido’s is now one of the most popular restaurants on the island.
The best way to find out where the locals eat is simple … ask a local. Miller’s Landing, just next door to the Hotel Galvez, is always named a favorite. Great food, great prices, and breakfast all day. Another local favorite? Mario’s Flying Pizza, on 61st street. Try their Hawaiian Delight pizza, complete with Canadian bacon and pineapples.
Cruise Terminal
Three cruise ships call Galveston home: Carnival’s Ecstasy, offering four-and-five day trips to the Western Caribbean; Carnival’s Conquest, taking seven-day trips to the Eastern and Western Caribbean; and Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, with seven-day trips to the Western Caribbean.
Because Galveston is primarily a tourist town, with close to $800 million dollars in economic impact to the island each year, the cruise ship industry has had a tremendous impact on the area. Local hotels cater to cruise passengers. Many offer free parking during your trip and complimentary shuttle services to the terminal before and after your journey.
The Strand
The Strand, as it is known throughout the world, is a historical district on the bayside in Galveston. The area was the hardest hit on the island, with up to 12 feet of water coursing through the historical district. The Strand is home to quaint shops, eclectic restaurants, historical hotels and museums. Walking through The Strand is akin to walking Sixth Street in Austin, or Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
Moody Gardens
Next to Galveston beaches, Moody Gardens is the second most visited attraction on the island. Moody Gardens is a premier conservation facility with marine mammals, endangered species, IMAX Theater, a hotel and conference center and educational classes.
Gregg Whitaker, animal husbandry manager overseeing the animals at the gardens, has learned from past experiences that the animals transported away from Moody during storms typically do not fare as well as animals staying in the facilities. Whitaker and his employees went to extreme efforts, even using back-up generators, during Ike, to ensure the health and well-being of the animals in their care. Also on the property is Schlitterbahn’s first indoor/outdoor water park open everyday.
More Info:
Galveston Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
www.galveston.com
888.425.4753
Galveston Historical Foundation
www.galvestonhistory.org
409.765.7834
Galveston Cruises
www.galvestoncruises.com
888.593.8678
Moody Gardens
www.moodygardens.org
888.582.4673