Galveston Marks the 125th Anniversary of the Great Storm of 1900

Galveston will hold many events this month to mark the 125th anniversary of the Great Storm of 1900, a hurricane considered the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history that changed the history of the island forever.

Estimates of the death toll were more than 8,000 people killed with 3,500 homes and buildings destroyed, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“The great Galveston hurricane roared through the prosperous island city with winds in excess of 130 miles per hour and a 15-foot storm surge,” says NOAA.

Galveston History points out that before 1900, the highest point of elevation on the island was not quite nine feet above sea level.

“Despite the obvious danger, Galvestonians had grown complacent in their city. It had been many years since a severe storm ravaged the city. The rising tides, known locally as overflows, provided excitement rather than fear,” says Galveston History.

Entire Blocks of the City Swept Away by Storm Waters

That all changed on Sept. 8, 1900, when entire blocks of the city were swept away by the ferocious waters of the storm.

“The following morning, survivors woke to a calm, beautiful sea, giving little evidence of the havoc wrought hours earlier. The damage was massive,” says Galveston History. “Almost every family was touched by the loss of a loved one or friend. Most victims drowned in the waters or were pinned under debris.”

The storm changed Galveston overnight, as the city had roughly the same population as Houston and Dallas in 1900 and was an important commercial hub with its port. Much of that activity shifted to Houston after the storm. Today, Galveston has a population of just over 50,000 people.

“A 17-foot seawall was built to protect Galveston from future devastating storm surges. As a further precaution, the level of the city was raised to protect the city from flooding. The construction of the Seawall is the largest civil-engineering project in U.S. history,” says Galveston History, noting that the raised elevation helped protect the island from a 1915 hurricane that killed just 11 residents.

The Galveston Historical Foundation is marking this somber anniversary with a series of lectures, tours, celebrations and more that will highlight both the tragedy and resilience of the community during and after the event.

125th Anniversary of the Great Storm of 1900 Programs and Events

Here are some of the programs and events you can attend during the 125th anniversary of the Great Storm of 1900. Note that many events require tickets or registration and other events such as the Storm Trolley Tour are already sold out:

• The Great Storm Open House Tour (Sept 6 at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.): Tour five of the island’s most historic landmarks that withstood the Great Storm of 1900. Learn about  the survival, the recovery, and the lives changed forever at each property. Houses toured include:
  o   1892 Bishop’s Palace (1402 Broadway).
  o   1838 Menard House (1605 33rd St.).
  o   1859 St. Joseph’s Church (2022 Ave. K).
  o   1859 Ashton Villa (2328 Broadway).
  o   1895 Moody Mansion (2618 Broadway).
• Through a Night of Horrors Book Club (Sept. 6 at 11 a.m.): Registration is required for this event at the Rosenberg Library (2310 Sealy). Listen to a presentation from author and former Rosenberg Library archivist Shelly Henley Kelly on her book Through a Night of Horrors: Voices from the 1900 Galveston Storm.
• 1900 Storm Harbor Tours (Sept. 6–7 and 13–14 at 10:15 a.m.): Meet at the Galveston Historic Seaport, the home of the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa for this tour. You will cruise the harbor aboard the Seagull II and learn more about the history of the harbor and surrounding area.
• The Great Storm World Record Event and Ceremony (Sept. 6): This free public event includes a chance to help set a Guinness World Record with 8,125 people forming a human chain along the Seawall to honor those lives lost in the storm:
  o   8:45 a.m.: Line-up along the seawall.
  o   9 a.m.: Photo opportunity and drone flyover.
  o   9:30 a.m.: Ceremony at the Great Storm Statue (located in front of the San Luis Resort) with remarks by the Mayor and other community leaders.
  o   All ages are welcome. Free to participate with registration required. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Event takes place rain or shine. Parking along the seawall is free until 10 a.m. that day.

• 125thAnniversary of the 1900 Storm Walking Tour (Sept. 6 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.): This 2-mile walking tour takes you through the history of the storm with tales of death, destruction, heroism and bravery. The tour leaves from behind the Ashton Villa and walks through downtown before ending up in the East End Historic District. Walking time is 2.5 hours with a 1-hour dinner break at Shrimp ’N Stuff.
• My Grandmother’s Ring Lecture (Sept. 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.): Laurie Bricker will discuss her book My Grandmother’s Ring which details Lorraine Isaacs Hofeller, considered to be the last survivor of the 1900 Galveston Storm when she passed away in 2002 at the age of 106. Event is at The Bryan Museum.
• Great Painting Unveiling (Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.): The Emotional Trinity by Vickie McMillan-Hayes, honoring the lives lost in the storm, will be unveiled at the Bryan Museum by museum founder J.P. Bryan. Free to the public with registration required.
• Market Street Social (Sept. 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.): Community comes together to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the storm with an event featuring local food pop-ups, live music, and more.
• Military and the 1900 Galveston Hurricane Tour (Sept. 7 and Sept. 13 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.): Meet at the Galveston Naval Museum to explore the role of the military and the weather bureau during and after the 1900 Galveston Storm. Includes a guided tour of the USS Stewart and USS Cavalla, WWII vessels.
• Galveston Wind Stage Play (Sept. 9 to Sept 13 from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.): Galveston Lighthouse Productions presents a drama inspired by the real events and stories of the 1900 Galveston Storm. At the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
• The Great Storm Trivia Night (Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.). Meet at the Galveston Historic Seaport for an outdoor (weather permitting) trivia night on the dock next to the 1877 Tall Ship Elissa. There is a Smarty Pints package for $30 that includes a bucket of beer and a reserved table for four. 
• Space City Weather Lecture (Sept. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.): Meteorologist Eric Berger shares his perspective of the 1900 Storm at The Bryan Museum.
• 10th Step Tour of the 1859 Ashton Villa (Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.): This tour is named for the staircase sept that the floodwaters reached. The tour includes a guided look at the second floor of this historic home.