Where is Galveston?
Galveston is a city on Galveston Island, about two miles off the Texas mainland in the Gulf of Mexico. The Handbook of Texas places it 50 miles from Houston. It is the county seat of Galveston County. The 2020 Census counted 53,695 residents. The Census lists 41.05 square miles of land area.
How did Galveston develop?
After the Texas Revolution, Michel B. Menard and other investors acquired 4,605 acres at the harbor. They began selling town lots on April 20, 1838. The Texas Legislature incorporated the town in 1839. The natural harbor on the island’s east end made it a major port. In 1870 and 1880, Galveston was the largest city in Texas.
The hurricane of 1900 killed an estimated 6,000 people in the city. Another 4,000 to 6,000 died on the nearby coast. After the storm, the city and county built a seawall, raised the grade of the city and built an all-weather bridge to the mainland. The first section of the seawall, 17,593 feet long, was built from 1902 to 1904. Its crest stands 17 feet above mean low tide. The grade raising ran from 1903 to 1911. About 2,000 buildings were lifted, and about 500 city blocks were filled with sand. The seawall now runs more than 10 miles.
Who governs Galveston, and who provides services?
Galveston business leaders adopted the first commission form of city government in the country after the 1900 storm. The city kept that system until 1960, when it moved to city-manager government. Today the city uses a council-manager structure. The council has seven members: six elected by district and a mayor elected at large. All serve two-year terms. The council appoints the city manager. Galveston is a water customer of the Gulf Coast Water Authority, which treats surface water at its Thomas S. Mackey plant in Texas City.
Which school districts serve Galveston?
Galveston ISD serves the island and part of the Bolivar Peninsula. The district describes itself as serving about 6,300 students on 10 campuses.
What permit, property and flood rules apply in Galveston?
The Building Division of the city’s Development Services department issues building permits. Its office is at 823 Rosenberg in Galveston. New structures need an Elevation Certificate. New development that may change drainage patterns needs a drainage plan. Chapter 29 of the city code covers beach access, dune protection and beachfront construction. Chapter 14 covers flooding and the city’s drainage utility. The Galveston Central Appraisal District appraises property for the City of Galveston and Galveston ISD.