location where a pleasure pier stood during the 1940s.
www.pleasure-pier.com.
GALVESTON ISLAND STATE PARK—Camping and day use are available to the beach and bay sides. Both areas have rest rooms. The beach side has tables, grills and showers. 409/737-1222.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/ galveston-island.
GALVESTON RAILROAD MUSEUM—See vintage railroad cars and steam engines at the historic art-deco Santa Fe depot. Museum has an HO-gauge working model of the Port of Galveston and a People’s Gallery. Six multimedia theaters present the city’s shipping, railroading and com- merce history. Admission charge. 2602 Santa Fe Place. 409/765-5700.
www.galvestonrrmuseum.com.
GARTEN VEREIN—Octagonal structure, circa 1870, is operated by the Galveston Historical Foundation. Victorian accents are evident in the trim of the roof levels. 2704 Avenue O. 888/425-4753.
www.galveston.com.
THE GREAT STORM—An award-winning presentation uses historic photographs and special effects to re-create the aftermath of the 1900 hurricane that devastated Galveston. Admission charge. Pier 21 at north end of 21st Street. 888/425-4753.
www.galveston.com.
HAUNTED MAYFIELD MANOR—This year-round haunted house is in a building that served as a morgue after the 1900 storm. 2313 Harborside Drive. 409/762-6677.
www.hauntedmayfieldmanor.com.
Bishop’s Palace in Galveston was once home to the Houston Diocese bishop.
EL CAMPO POP. 11,749
ALT. 110 MAP R-19
EL CAMPO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & AGRICUL- TURE: 979/543-2713.
www.elcampochamber.com.
The railroad reached the area in the 1880s, and Mexican cowboys who brought cattle herds to the railhead called the site el campo, the countryside. When El Campo was incorporated, the city fathers used the Spanish words to name the city. Historical murals painted on buildings throughout town depict the city’s history. El Campo is known for its great waterfowl hunting and
excellent fishing. The city has a variety of restaurants and is famous for its barbecue. El Campo celebrates its heri- tage with the Prairie Days Festival in October.
EL CAMPO MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY—Features big-game trophies from five continents against murals and in natural settings. Children’s area includes hands-on activities. 2350 N. Mechanic in the civic center. 979/543-6885.
www.elcampomuseum.org.
GALVESTON POP. 48,067
ALT. 20 MAP R-22/WW-19
GALVESTON VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER: In the historic Ashton Villa. 2328 Broadway. 888/425-4753.
www.galveston.com.
When first explored by Europeans, the island was an Akokisa site. The Karankawa tribe used it for hunting and fishing. Pirate Jean Laffite established a settlement here in 1817. During the Texas Revolution, the harbor served as the port for the Texas Navy. After the war, a group of in- vestors bought land in 1838 to establish a town. Early years gave the city many firsts in Texas: first Roman Catholic convent, first electric lights and first medical college. In 1900, the island was inundated by a hurricane that claimed more than 6,000 lives. A seawall, presently 10 miles long, was built two years later. Many party boats are available for bay or offshore fishing.
114 PHOTO: WILL VAN OVERBEEK/TXDOT
Reservations at Piers 18 and 19 and Galveston Yacht Basin, which also offers marine services. For more information, call 888/GAL-ISLE or visit
www.galveston.com. Galveston is home to the University of Texas Medical
Branch, Texas A&M University at Galveston and Galveston College. Some annual events include Mardi Gras! Galveston in
February, FeatherFest and The Grand Kids Festival in April, AIA Sandcastle Competition and Juneteenth in June, Lone Star Motorcycle Rally in November and Dickens on the Strand in December.
COLONEL, EXCURSION BOAT—Modern triple-deck paddle wheeler recaptures the romance of 19th-century river steamboats on daily sightseeing cruises. Evening dinner cruises and moonlight dance cruises are once a month. Admission charge. The Colonel departs from Moody Gardens, One Hope Blvd. 409/744-4673.
FERRY RIDES—Free ferries operate every 20 minutes. The ferries are operated by the Texas Department of Transportation. Between Galveston and Port Bolivar, Texas 87.
FISHING PIERS—Free municipal jetties and rock piers are along Seawall Boulevard at 10th, 17th, 30th, 37th and 61st streets. Commercial fishing piers are on Seawall Boulevard at 25th, 61st and 90th streets, as well as at Seawolf Park on Pelican Island. Flanking the ship channel between Galves- ton and Bolivar Peninsula are South Jetty (at the extreme east end of Galveston Island) and North Jetty (from Bolivar Peninsula). 888/425-4753.
www.galveston.com.
GALVESTON ISLAND BEACH—Thirty-two miles of sand beach are edged by hotels, condos, restaurants and attrac- tions. Camping is permitted only in designated areas, com- mercial facilities and at Galveston Island State Park. Park- ing charges at certain beach recreation areas; free parking available at others. 888/425-4753.
www.galveston.com.
GALVESTON ISLAND HISTORIC PLEASURE PIER— Located on a pier over the Gulf of Mexico, this amuse- ment park offers thrill rides, midway games, shopping, live entertainment and a restaurant. It is in the same
HISTORIC CHURCHES—First Lutheran Church was founded in 1850; the original church building was rebuilt in 1915. At 25th and Winnie streets. 888/425-4753.
www.galveston.com. First Presbyterian Church houses what is believed to
be the oldest church organization in Galveston, dating from Jan. 1, 1840. The present church was built in 1873. At 19th and Church streets. Grace Episcopal Church, founded as a mission of
Trinity Church in 1874, parishioners moved into the pres- ent structure in 1895. Gothic-style building was designed by architect Nicholas Clayton. Many original furnishings include stained glass, hand-carved reredos and altar. At 36th Street and Avenue L. Sacred Heart Catholic Church, founded in 1884, was
designed by a Jesuit priest after the original church was destroyed in the 1900 storm. Opposite Bishop’s Palace at 14th Street and Broadway. St. Mary’s Cathedral, built in 1848 and the first Catholic
cathedral in Texas, retains its original, splendid architecture. 21st and Church streets. Trinity Episcopal Church was built in 1857. The church
was traditionally repaired and put into use immediately after any hurricane damage–never missing a service. 22nd Street at Winnie Street.
HISTORIC HOMES AND BUILDINGS—As Texas’ earliest prominent city, scores of fascinating historic structures were built by sea captains, merchants, businessmen and prominent officials. 888/425-4753.
www.galveston.com. Bishop’s Palace—Built as a home by Col. Walter
Gresham in 1886, it was bought in 1923 for the Galveston- Houston Diocese’s bishop. Furnishings include a mantel that won first-prize at the 1876 Philadelphia World’s Fair, a Venetian crystal chandelier, and a grand staircase. Admission charge. 1402 Broadway. 409/762-2475.
www.galvestonhistory.org Fort Crockett—This artillery defense installation was
built in 1897 and closed in 1947. Buildings remain in use by Galveston College, Texas A&M at Galveston and others. Massive coastal artillery bunkers can still be seen, but most now are part of the foundation of the nearby hotel and conference center. Seawall Boulevard between 45th and 53rd streets. Grand 1894 Opera House—Built in 1894, a major restoration returned the structure to its original grandeur.
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