|
|
Texas
| Counties
GALVESTON
COUNTY, TEXAS
29° 22' 48"
N, 94° 51' 36" W (29.38, -94.86)
Population: 335,036 est. (2017) 291,309 (2010)
Total area: 874 square miles (2,260 km2)
378 square miles (980 km2) land
495 square miles (1,280 km2) water |
|
|
 |
Galveston County
History
Historical Markers:
Early History of Galveston County
Galveston Island, for centuries a crossroad for Indians, privateers,
Spanish and French explorers, for a time was capital of the Republic
of Texas. This was during the Texas War for Independence, when
Santa Anna was making his
1836 invasion. On March 17, the hastily organized ad interim Cabinet
of President David G. Burnet evacuated Washington-on-the-Brazos,
moving to Harrisburg, and then in April to Galveston.
Here it remained until after the Texas
Victory at San Jacinto on april 21, 1836. From January, 1836 until
U. S. annexation in 1846, Galveston
was the naval base for the fleet which protected shipping and sought
to prevent Mexican invasion of Texas by way of the sea. By September,
1837, the four ships of the Texas Navy had all been lost. Not until
April, 1840 was the Navy reorganized, under President M. B. Lamar.
A former U. S. Naval officer, Edwin W. Moore, was made commodore.
Afterward, when Moore became involved in a bitter controversy with
President Sam Houston,
Houston ordered the Navy to be sold. At the sale, the incensed people
of Galveston
used forceful means to prevent bidding. The ships at annexation were
all transferred to the U. S. Navy.
1966
Reconstruction to 1900, Galveston County
The revival of economic, political, social and religious institutions
in Galveston County following the Civil War was more rapid than anywhere
in the South. Galveston
emerged as the largest city in Texas and with its natural seaport,
became the focal point for sea and railroad transportation. The Gulf,
Colorado and Santa Fe Railroad was established. Wholesale grocery
firms were established and cotton compressing firms were founded.
The first electric lights used in Texas burned in Galveston
and the first telephone in the state was installed. The city also
became known for its beaches, fishing, palatial homes, flowers, palms,
resorts and public schools. The greatest single development of the
port occurred in the 1870s when the outer channel was dredged to a
depth of 32 feet, sufficient to accommodate all ocean-going vessels.
On the mainland, Shoal Point succeeded the Austinia settlement and
became a permanent colony in 1894 when a group of land developers
named it Texas City. During this period, Galveston was hit by three
catastrophes -- a yellow fever epidemic, a fire in 1885 and the 1900
storm. Some 6,000 lives were lost in the hurricane. The citizens were
determined to rebuild the city and a seawall was constructed by Galveston
County, followed by an enormous city grade-raising project. The first
city commission form of government was founded and was later adopted
by municipalities throughout the United States.
1967
Galveston County, 1901 - 1965
After 1900, the Port of Galveston emerged as the second largest
in the U. S. Following completion of a deep-water channel to Texas
City in 1904, the Mainland's major petroleum and petrochemical
plants, tin smelter and allied industries had their beginning. Galveston's
waterfront handles primarily dry cargo while Texas
City handles liquid petroleum and petrochemical cargoes. Agriculture
production is also important to the Galveston County economy. Rice,
corn, grain, oats, dairying, poultry, truck crops and cattle raising
are leading items. In 1913, the U. S. Army moved 10,000 men and eight
of its twelve airplanes to Texas
City, with the first successful test flight made from Texas
City to San Antonio.
In 1928, Galveston County began initial seawall protection for Texas
City. Following the devastating effect of hurricane Carla in 1961,
construction began on a 17-mile protective system extending around
Texas City
and LaMarque.
Disaster struck Texas
City, April 16, 1947, with the explosion of the French-flag steamer
"Grandcamp." Resulting fires and explosions left 576 dead, 4,000 persons
injured and $70,000,000 property damage. Undismayed, the city rebuilt.
In addition to its port facilities, Galveston
is a large supplier of seafood, is a major financial center, has a
tea-blending plant, a rail and wire factory, grain elevators, a brewery,
several large insurance companies, a ship repair yard and many part-associated
industries. A servicing facility for nuclear-powered commercial vessels
is also maintained here.' A major contributor to the Galveston
economy is the University of Texas Medical Branch. Created in 1881,
the facility is known as "The Mayo's of the South" and is a leading
heart, surgical and burns treatment center. The Galveston County Memorial
Hospital was constructed on the Mainland in 1952...
|
Galveston County
Town List
Cities, Towns &
Ghost Towns: History, attractions, landmarks, architecture, monuments,
museums, cemeteries, bridges, parks, vintage & contemporary images,
area destinations, hotels,
and forum.
County Seat - Galveston
Book Hotel Here - Galveston
Hotels |
Galveston
County Vintage Maps
|
Galveston County
1907 postal map
From Texas state map #2090
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
Galveston County
1920s map
From Texas state map #10749
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
Galveston County
1940s map
From Texas state map #4335
Courtesy
Texas General Land Office |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage/historic photos, please contact
us. |
|
|
HOME
Texas
Gulf Coast
East
Texas
Central
Texas North
Central
Texas South
Texas
Panhandle
South
Texas
Texas
Hill Country
West
Texas
Texas
Ghost Towns
Texas
Counties
