|
|
 |
Galveston & The Strand's Beginnings:
One of the first settlers, after the Karankawa Indians, to
arrive in Galveston was "The Pirate of the Mexican Gulf," the notorious
Jean Lafitte. Lafitte made Galveston a center of smuggling and privateering.
In 1821 he was forced off the island, and burned and destroyed his settlement
as he went.
Later, in 1839, the town of Galveston started to grow again, originally
belonging to the Austin Colony and later being purchased by Menard and
his associates from the Republic of Texas.
The 32-mile island became a powerful town, thriving from its port activities and
holding claim to the title of the "most active port West of the
Mississippi," while competing fiercely with Houston for dominance.
"The Strand," or Avenue B, is a street parallel to the bay,
in the heart of downtown Galveston with then-modern and
incredible feats of Victorian architecture. The Strand was known
then as the "Wall Street of the Southwest."
History: »
Next Page - "The Storm of 1900"...
|
| Site Map . Send Feedback/Suggestions.