In 1900 a hurricane struck Galveston Island, causing the highest loss of life from a natural disaster in America's history. No one knows how many died, but the estimates run from 6,000 to 10,000 lives lost, and 3,600 homes destroyed.
The island was little more than a sand bar, and what dunes there were had been flattened to provide better views. In 1848, Braman's Information About Texas was quoted as saying "I should as soon think about founding a city on an iceberg as on Galveston Island, if I looked to it's safety and perpetuity." The highest elevation on the island in 1900 was 8.7 feet and the storm surge was 15.7 feet.
The city began work on a plan that would protect the island and it's citizens by building a sea wall.
The wall, on the Gulf side, was built 17 feet high. The houses still standing were raised to the resulting level with screw jacks, lifted 1/4 inch at a time to the beat of a drum. It was an amazing undertaking. Sections of land 1/4 mile square were diked and filled with a sand slurry removed from the ship channel. As one section was finished another began. The island was remade with a gentle grade highest on the Gulf side lowering to the existing level in the Strand District.
The sea wall worked, but Galveston never recovered to it's former self. A ship channel to Houston made that city more appealing to industry. What was once the largest and wealthiest city in Texas had to rethink her future. Galveston became a tourist destination
The Hotel Galvez and Spa, built in 1911 and still standing, is facing the sea wall.
We'll come back to the Galvez later.
The sea wall wasn't perfect, but it did save a lot of Galveston when Hurricane Ike struck in 2008.
The water came in from the bay side, not the gulf. Many of the old buildings down town mark the water level.
At the corner of 23rd and Post Office
In the air museum the flag shows the water level
A building downtown that also survived the 1900 Storm
At the train museum
Here we are back at the elegant Hotel Galvez.
Built in 1911 it was in an excellent location when prohibition made alcohol scarce.
Galveston had a very relaxed attitude about liquor. Other vices got the nod here too as the area called itself The Free State of Galveston. Gambling was popular.
Across the street from the hotel was a private gambling club called The Balinese Room. In the 40's and 50's it was a popular nightclub with entertainers like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra and Peggy Lee. The drink Margarita was invented here they claim, for Peggy Lee. Howard Hughes was a member of the club with other wealthy oil men from all over Texas. The Texas Rangers tried to raid the club many times but were hampered by the length of the pier. At 600ft. the Rangers couldn't get to the gambling tables before they were hidden. As the Rangers would run down the pier the band would strike up "The Eyes of Texas" and diners would rise to applaud them, further slowing them down. In the mid-50's Las Vegas began to offer legal gambling and the owners moved to Nevada. The club and pier remained until Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Z Z Top recorded a song about the club - "Down at the Balinese"
Click the above link if you'd like to hear it.
LEFTOVERS
A sleigh at the Bishops Palace.
Really?????
They had snow on Christmas here in 2005 and think it was wonderful.
Of course it melted off by noon.
The giant trumpet downtown.
They have a big Mardi Gras here.
Avenue P1/2?
The back page of same paper and....
The ad in the bottom left of the page.
I don't think I need to add any comment.
and finally
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Earl's favorite Christmas present ever!
We expected a territorial war with Winston but it didn't come to pass.
Winston is too portly to fit in the box.
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