Galveston
city and county-seat of Galveston co., Tex., on Galveston Island, between Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, and on the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe, the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, the International and Great Northern, and several other large railroads; and having steamship lines connecting with New York, New Orleans, Vera Cruz, Liverpool, and nearly all South American and West Indian ports.
It has the largest and deepest harbor on the Gulf coast, with two miles of wharf front. Following the great flood of 1900 a great sea-wall covering the entire frontage of the city was constructed at a cost of $2,000,000. The harbor was also improved by the United States Government and was made accessible for the largest steamers.
Public Interests. - Galveston is the most important port and the commercial there were 2 National banks and several private banking institutions.
History. Galveston was settled in 1837; captured by the Federal forces in 1862; and retaken by the Confederates in 1863. It was nearly destroyed by fire in 1885, and on Sept. 8, 1900, was visited by a violent tornado and flood, causing the loss of 7,000 lives and the destruction of property to the value of $20,000,- 000. Pop. (1910) 36,981; (1920) 44,255.