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1966 County Courthouse |
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Galveston in the Republic of Texas
Galveston Island, for centuries a crossroads 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 and 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 4 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 United States Navy. |
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Rabbi Henry Cohen (1863-1952)
Called the "First Citizen of Texas" by U. S. President Woodrow Wilson, Rabbi Henry Cohen, an internationally known humanitarian, was born in London, England. He came to Galveston in 1888 as spiritual leader of congregation B'Nai Israel and served for 64 years until his death. In 1889 he married Mollie Levy (1862-1951) and they had two children. After the disastrous storm of 1900, Texas Governor Joseph D. Sayers appointed Rabbi Cohen to head the Central Relief Committee. From 1907 until World War I he helped shiploads of immigrants become settled in cities around the country. During World War I he was instrumental in influencing Congress to provide Jewish naval chaplains. Appointed to the Texas Prison Board by Governor Dan Moody, Rabbi Cohen introduced measures for more humane treatment of prisoners. He assisted New York slum residents in moving south. He fought for social justice for persons of all races and creeds. He helped foster the spirit of brotherhood and interfaith goodwill existing in Galveston today. When Rabbi Cohen died, the Commissioners Court of Galveston County called him one of this country's greatest humanitarians and spiritual leaders.
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The Rt. Rev. Monsignor James Martin Kirwin (July 1, 1872 - January 24, 1926)
A native of Circleville, Ohio, young Catholic priest James Martin Kirwin arrived in Galveston in 1896. He was soon appointed Vicar General of the Diocese of Galveston by Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher. As rector of St. Mary's Cathedral, Father Kirwin's work as a civic and religious leader was felt throughout the city. In 1900, following the disastrous Galveston storm, Kirwin was instrumental in forming the Committee for Public Safety, which provided oversight for relief efforts and control of the devastated city. Together with his friend Rabbi Henry Cohen, Father Kirwin was a leading force in rebuilding Galveston. He helped lay the cornerstone of the Galveston Seawall in 1902 and participated in ceremonies marking its completion two years later. Kirwin was also instrumental in settling labor disputes on Galveston's docks and in forming the Galveston Home Protective League, an organization whose purpose was to remove saloons from residential neighborhoods. He led in the fight against the local Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s. When Monsignor Kirwin died in 1926, the whole city mourned one of its most respected citizens. His body was returned to his hometown for burial. |
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Norris Wright Cuney (1846-1898)
Born a slave on the Waller County plantation of his father, Philip Cuney, Norris Wright Cuney was sent to Wyle Street School in Pennsylvania for an early education. At the age of seventeen he moved to St. Louis and found employment on Mississippi River steamboats. Following the Civil War Cuney moved to Galveston, where in 1867 he helped care for victims of the island's yellow fever epidemic. Interested in politics, he became a leader in the local Republican Party, eventually rising to high office in the state and national party organizations. He served as county agent in 1872, and in 1872 was appointed inspector of customs for the District of Texas, a position he held until he was elected Galveston's first black alderman in 1883. As a leader in the Republican Party, Cuney served as chairman of the state convention in 1882 and as a delegate to the national conventions in 1876, 1880, 1884, and 1888. He was appointed Collector of Customs by President Benjamin Harrison in 1889. Norris Wright Cuney was an important political and civic leader in Galveston. A park was dedicated in his memory in 1937. He is buried in Lake View Cemetery. (1989) |
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Confederate Mariner Leon Smith
"Lion" of Texas coastal defense during the Civil War. Commanded marine department of military district. Born in New England, went to sea at 13. By age 20 was a captain. In 1850s commanded on the Galveston to New Orleans run of Southern Mail Steamships. In Feb. 1861, when Texas had seceded, commanded ship taking Col. John S. "Rip" Ford to Brownsville to take military possession of the Rio Grande. In April, with ship and crew, volunteered in Confederate navy. With 2 days' notice, prepared water-born part of offensive that won Battle of Galveston on Jan. 1, 1963. Walled his ships with cotton bales; in brief fighting captured the pride of the Federal navy. On Sept. 8, 1863, ordered a Confederate ship into sea battle. Then personally rode through enemy fire to join Dick Dowling's 47-odd-men on land, and fight in the battle that turned out to be victory of Sabine Pass. He and his ships helped prevent Federal landings to take food, water and wood from Texas coasts. They also ran Federal blockade and aided other ships in slipping past enemy patrols with Texas cotton to exchange overseas for goods scarce in the South: guns, ammunition, shoes, coffee, cloth, medicines. Died in Alaska, December 26, 1869. |
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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. |
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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. With the establishment of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Manned Spacecraft Center in 1961 at Clear Lake, bordering Galveston and Harris counties, many residents of Galveston County became employed in the space effort. Space vehicles and equipment were tested in nearby Galveston Bay. |
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  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. |
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 Texas Revolution and Civil War Galveston County
Following Laffite's
expulsion from Galveston, settlers from the West Indies began to arrive.
Within a few years, Galveston became a principal port to the Republic of
Texas. Galveston was declared a port of entry in 1825 by Mexico and a
customs house was established. The city served as Capital of the Republic of
Texas when President David G. Burnett and his Cabinet were forced to abandon
the interior at the time San Houston's forces met and defeated the Mexican
army at San Jacinto in 1836. Michel B. Menard purchased what is now the
present site of Galveston from the Republic of Texas in 1836 for $50,000.
Galveston County was created in 1838 by an act of the
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Galveston County Courthouse 1882 |
Galveston County Courthouse 1898 |
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Galveston County Courthouse 1898 |
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