Galveston, Texas Feast of Tabernacles
« Back to Feast of Tabernacles
The Victorian Resort & Conference Center
6300 Seawall Blvd
Galveston, Texas 77551
ph# 1: 409-740-3555
ph# 2: 800-231-6363
Meeting Place Website
Festival Coordinators: Frank Scherich | Ron Harmon
Festival Dates: 1-8 October 2012
Map | Photos | Lodging | Schedule | Links & Activities |
Feast Activities
Galveston (pronounced
/ˈɡalvɨstən/) is a
coastal city located on
Galveston Island in the
U.S. state of
Texas. As of the 2005
U.S. Census estimate, the city had a total
population of 57,466 within an area of 208 square
miles (540 km2). Located within the
Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metropolitan
area, the city is the
seat and second-largest city of
Galveston County in population.Named after
Bernardo de Gàlvez y Madrid, Count of Gàlvez,
Galveston's first European settlements on the island
were constructed around 1816. The
Port of Galveston was established in 1825 by the
Congress of Mexico following its successful
revolution from Spain. The city served as the main
port for the
Texas Navy during the
Texas Revolution and later served as the capital
of the
Republic of Texas.
During the 19th century, Galveston became a major
U.S. commercial center and one of the largest
ports in the
United States. Galveston is known for the
hurricane that devastated the city in 1900. The
natural disaster that followed still counts as the
most deadly in American history.
Much of Galveston's modern economy is centered in
the
tourism,
health care,
shipping and
financial industries. The 84-acre (340,000 m2)
University of Texas Medical Branch campus with
an enrollment of more than 2,500 students is a major
economic force of the city. Galveston is home to six
historic districts containing one of the largest
and historically significant collections of
nineteenth-century buildings with over 60 structures
listed in the
National Register of Historic Places.
Galveston Island
Galveston Island is a
barrier island on the
Texas Gulf coast in the United
States, about 50 miles (80
kilometers) southeast of
Houston. The entire island, with
the exception of
Jamaica Beach, is within the
city limits of the City of
Galveston.The island is about
27 miles (43 kilometers) long and no
more than 3 miles (5 kilometers)
wide at its widest point. The island
is oriented generally
northeast-southwest, with the
Gulf of Mexico on the east and
south,
West Bay on the west, and
Galveston Bay on the north. The
island's main access point from the
mainland is the
Interstate Highway 45 causeway
that crosses West Bay on the
northeast side of the island. The
far north end of the island is
separated from the
Bolivar Peninsula by Galveston
Harbor, the entrance to Galveston
Bay and the
Houston Ship Channel. Ferry
service is available between
Galveston Island and the Bolivar
Peninsula. The southern end of the
island is separated from the
mainland by
San Luis Pass. The San Luis
Pass-Vacek Toll Bridge connects the
San Luis Pass Road on Galveston
Island with the Bluewater Highway
that leads south into the town of
Surfside Beach.
The people of the island (the
non-tourists) distinguish each other
in two ways: "BOI" (Born On the
Island) and "IBC" (Islander By
Choice). "BOI" is cited in print
from at least 1956 and "IBC" is
cited in print from 1975.
History
Originally,
Akokisa and
Karankawa
Indians lived and
camped there. The
island is believed
by some to be the
one
Àlvar Nùñez Cabeza
de Vaca and his
party made a brief
stop-over in
November 1528,
during his infamous
Odyssey.
Jao de la Porta,
along with his
brother Morin,
financed the
first
settlement by
Europeans on
Galveston Island in
1816. Joa de la
Porta was born in
Portugal of
Jewish parentage
and later became a
Jewish Texan
trader. In 1818,
Jean Laffite
appointed Jao
supercargo for
the Karankawa Indian
trade. When Laffite
left Galveston
Island in 1820, Jao
became a full-time
trader.
Aerial
view of
Pelican
Island
and the
northeastern
end of
Galveston
Island.
On September 8,
1900, the greatest
natural disaster to
ever strike the
United States
occurred at
Galveston. In the
early evening hours
of September 8, the
Galveston hurricane
of 1900 came
ashore, bringing
with it a great
storm surge that
inundated most of
Galveston Island and
the city of
Galveston. As a
result, much of the
city was destroyed
and at least 6,000
people were killed
in a few hours'
time.
Isaac M. Cline,
the meteorologist in
charge of the local
Weather Bureau,
lived on Galveston
Island. Cline was
aware of a storm in
the Gulf based on
previous reports
from Florida.
Although weather
conditions were
relatively calm on
September 7, Cline
observed the rough
seas and the high
waves that seemed to
become more ominous
by the hour. He sent
a telegram to
Washington, D.C.,
saying he thought a
large part of the
city was going to be
underwater. He
predicted a very
heavy loss of life.
Houston-Galveston
area of
Texas,
showing
Galveston
Island,
parallel
to
coast.
After the
hurricane passed, a
seawall was
constructed
around the settled
portion of the
island. Some houses
were raised, and
others were built on
stilts. Sand dredged
from nearby
waterways was pumped
into the area within
the seawall, and in
time, the elevation
of the eastern
portion of the
island was raised by
as much as 17 feet
(5.2 m).
Map
View Larger Map
Photos
Click on each photo for a larger version
Lodging
Visit each listing below for the most current rate information and to make reservations online.
Prices subject to change
Speaking Schedule: Click
here
Activity Schedule: Click
here
Links & Activities
| 
