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Galveston, Texas is a popular vacation community for seniors.

Galveston TX History

When the first Europeans landed in 1528, Galveston Island was home to Akokisa and Karankawa Indians. Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca was shipwrecked on the Island and lived among the Karankawa for several years. In the late 1600’s, explorer Robert La Salle claimed the area for France. In 1786, Galveston was named for Bernardo de Gálveza, a Spanish governor and general.

The pirate Jean Lafitte made the Island his home base in 1817. He was forced to abandon the Island in 1821. In 1836, the Texas Navy headquartered on the Island. That same year, Michel Menard purchased land to establish the City of Galveston. Galveston became a port of entry in 1837 and was busy with ships arriving from all over the world.

On September 8, 1900, a hurricane pushing winds over 120 miles per hour and a tidal wave devastated the island, killing more than 6,000 people out of a population of 37,000. One-third of the city was destroyed, including more than 3,600 buildings. To prevent another occurrence, the city built an extensive seawall and raised the land level of the island. The grade-raising project lasted from 1902 to 1910 and included more than 500 city blocks.

Galveston Texas – Resort Area & Tourist City

Galveston, Texas is now a top resort and tourist city with 32 miles of beaches. Its famous street, The Strand, is one of the largest and best-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country.