Unit 10 Ch 20 Sect 1 Galveston Texas

Unit 10 (Ch. 20, Sect. 1)

Galveston, Texas: Basic Facts • Galveston is located on Galveston Island • Galveston has been the home to – Native Americans (Karankawas) – Pirates (Jean Laffite) – Revolutionary Governments (Ad interim) • Began in April of 1838

Galveston, Texas: Basic Facts • Mexico used Galveston as a port due to its naturally deep harbor. • In 1800 s Galveston was a center for Cotton shipping for Texas and the U S. • Largest city in Texas from 1870 -80 – 22, 248 people

“Wall Street of the Southwest” • During the late 1800 s Galveston was Texas’ most refined city. • Galveston enjoyed its role as the financial center of Texas, a true White. Collar City. • First Texas city to have: – electric lights – telephone – baseball team

September 1900 • By early September 1900, citizens of Galveston hear about a storm in the Gulf of Mexico • Did not know how powerful it was • Most citizens disregarded the warnings given by Dr. Isaac Cline

September 1900 • Dr. Cline notices unusual swells in the gulf as he makes his rounds, but nothing signaling what’s to come. • Dr. Cline received messages from the Weather bureau as Galveston had been put under a storm warning as early as Sept 4. • Galveston’s 38, 000 residents go to sleep that night unaware of the fate that awaits them

1900 Storm Path

September 1900 • Early in the day, water begins to flood homes blocks from the beach • Galveston’s highest point above sea level was only 8. 7 feet and people begin to move to higher ground and into tall buildings • As flood waters rise the bridge to mainland is destroyed by a boat that escapes its moorings

September 1900 • By the early evening, the winds began to blow the deadly storm surge onto the island • A storm surge of 15. 7 feet swept over the island completely submerged it. • People fled to the second and third stories of high buildings • Winds estimated at near 130 mph gusts

September 1900 • As people fled the storm, many were killed by flying debris from houses that had been destroyed by wind and water • People clung to anything to keep afloat. • By night time the city was in utter darkness as the gasworks for city lighting was destroyed.

September 1900 • By 11: 00 pm, the winds turned from the south and the storm began to weaken • By the next morning the storm was gone and devastation was left in its wake: 1. 6, 000 -8, 000 people dead on the island 2. 3, 600 buildings destroyed 3. $20 million in damage done to the island = to $700 million today

Causeway before the storm Causeway after the storm

Aftermath • Galveston had to recover • Bodies were collected to be identified and then a plan was made to dispose of them • Bodies were staked on barges and weighted down to be sunk in the gulf. • A few days later the bodies washed back onto the island.

Aftermath • The city officials decided to burn all the bodies. • Many African-American citizens were put in charge of burning the bodies. • Galveston asked for assistance from the governor to prevent riots in the city • 125 people were shot for looting from houses and from the dead bodies.

Changes After the Storm • Galveston changed its city government to a commission system to speed up the process of recovering • A seawall was proposed to block the island from deadly storm surges • The city planned to raise it’s elevation by bringing in sand from the gulf

Changes After the Storm • Galveston built a 17 foot sea wall that extends for over three miles of the islands coastline. • They increased the elevation of the town by 16 feet • These projects were completed by 1904, causing Galveston to miss out on the oil boom.

Galveston Today • Galveston resumed its role as a port of entry for Texas immigrants after the Hurricane • However, Houston overtook Galveston as the most important port city in Texas when the Houston Ship Channel was built.

Galveston Today • Galveston’s economy today is based largely on tourism. • It is also the home of the two Universities: – Texas A&M University @ Galveston – University of Texas Medical Branch

VIEW OF GALVESTON TEXAS LOOKING TOWARDS THE GULF