Few American cities have histories as romantic and adventurous as Galveston's. It is generally agreed that the Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca, the first European to see Texas, was shipwrecked on Galveston Island in 1528. From here he began his wanderings through Texas, New Mexico, and finally to Mexico, where his tales inspired later expeditions.

The pirate Jean Lafitte was lord of Galveston from 1817 until 1821. He built a house and fortress called Maison Rouge (Red House). Under Lafitte, the town was a nest of slave traders, saloon keepers, gamblers, smugglers, and pirates. One hundred Spanish ships were seized and looted during Lafitte's time, but Spain was powerless against him. Many slaves were on the pirated vessels; Lafitte's standard price for slaves was a dollar a pound.

Lafitte's occupation ended in May 1821, after the US Navy ordered him to leave. He set fire to the town, fleeing southward and into oblivion with his remaining followers.

During the Texas Revolution, the four ships of the Texas Navy were based in Galveston and managed to prevent a blockade of the Texas coast. When David Burnet, interim President of the Republic of Texas, and his cabinet came here in 1836, fleeing from Santa Ana, the town became the capital of Texas.

After the Civil War, Congress appropriated money to make Galveston a deep-water port. The town had a population of 38,000 in 1900. On September 8 of that year, a hurricane with 110-mph winds struck, flooding the city, killing 6,000 and leaving 8,000 homeless. The storm drove a 4,000-ton vessel to a point 22 miles from deep water. Galveston rebuilt itself with inspired fortitude. The level of land was raised from 5 to 17 feet and a 17-foot-high, 16-foot-wide reinforced concrete seawall was built. The wall has withstood subsequent hurricane tides.

Galveston's wharves can berth 38 oceangoing vessels. It is the state's leading cotton port and is a sulphur and grain shipping center. It is an island city colored with blooming tropical flora. Forty blocks of the East End Historical District, protected from future development, may be seen on walking or driving tours.

With 32 miles of sandy beaches, fishing piers, deep-sea fishing, cool breezes off the Gulf and plenty of places to stay, eat, and enjoy oneself, Galveston is an ideal spot for a seaside vacation. Such vacations are its specialty, although the city is also an important medical center and international seaport.