Galveston

The last time we were here it was just a few months after Hurricane Ike hit the island and did so much damage.    When we saw it the place was a mess, it was 100 degrees in June and the standing water provided endless breeding places for the mosquitos.  We left after one night and headed for the lovely Hill Country.

Since then most structures have been repaired or town down though if you look there are still boarded up buildings.  My clever plan to avoid the New Orleans Mardi Gras was somewhat foiled when I discovered that Galveston also celebrates Mardi Gras.

Even Modest Shotgun Houses are decked out 

Galveston Mardi Gras Revelry

The history of Texas and Galveston is pretty fascinating.  In the early 1800's there was an influx of scoundrels, opportunists and people escaping debts that headed out to Texas, then part of Mexico.  A common notice posted on vacated premises  in the US was GTT-gone to Texas.  Land was available for 12 1/2 cents per acre, 10% of what it would be in the  US.  For some time the new immigrants assimilated but in the 1830's Mexico restricted immigration to Mexicans and Europeans, required people to practice Catholicism, imposed stringent duties on commerce and prohibited Texans from forming a militia.  In 1836 Texas declared independence and elected David Burnet as the first president of the Republic of Texas.

"Except for a decisive battle on the banks of the San Jacinto River, Galveston might have gone down as the second Alamo and Texas might be part of Mexico."

I really liked the mental picture of Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto:

            "On the afternoon of the 18 minute decisive battle of San Jacinto, Santa Anna was relaxing in his 3-room tent,     smoking opium and -legend has it-dallying with a mulatto servant girls who would henceforth be known as the 'Yellow Rose of Texas".

Here it is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyZpOAyGq1Q

For a long time Galveston was very important economically.  It was the biggest port west of New Orleans and a few families controlled the island.  To this day people are identifieds as BOI (born on the island) or not.  I think Vashon should adopt the term BOI and there are many to this day despite the  influx of us Californians.  The Civil War had little effect and the island continued to prosper, in part due to successful blockade running. The Houston area dredged a ship channel and that changed the balance.  While there is still a port in Galveston, Houston and the surrounding area have become the powerhouse.  Twenty-five % of petroleum products leave the US via Houston.

Walking around the historic district is a treat.  The architecturally interesting structures are endless as are the historical plaques.  One of my favorite areas is the former red light district, now cute shops and restaurants.

The 1900 Hurricane Isaac leveled Galveston, and caused an estimated 6,000 deaths or about 15% of the population.  The city hired a panel of engineers who proposed the 17 foot sea wall facing the gulf and raising the island by 8'.  This was approved and it took a few years during which 2000 structures were raised.  Material was dredged to add height and the residents put up with mud, construction and detours.  We were told that the 2008 Hurricane Ike had many of the same characteristics as did Isaac but only 35 died.  As always some declined to leave when asked, ordered and threatened.  I liked that the Mayor told them there would be no dispatch of emergency personnel to save them because they stayed behind to save their color tv!  During Ike the sea wall held but the shallow bay was swamped by storm surge and the waste covered the island from the bayside.

The building below is in the historic district and the line on the brick shows where the water level was after Hurrican Ike.