Feature Destinations -
Galveston, Texas
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by Carl Burnham
The Strand was long known to be a central hub for bustling business and industry, where cotton was first exported around the world. It has been 20 years since my last visit to the Strand , and the change is dramatic.
The area has witnessed a revival in recent years through the efforts of preservationists, with many buildings occupied once again. The Strand contains numerous trendy shops, restaurants, art galleries, museums, including historic gems such as the Grand 1894 Opera House and the Railroad Museum, which houses the most extensive range of vintage railcars in the Southwest.
The Star Drug Store dates all the way back to 1867, and was the first drug store in Texas. The Coca Cola sign in front of the store is one of the oldest porcelain neon signs that still exist. The store has been fully renovated after a damaging fire a few years ago, and makes sodas from the fountain just like the old days. The store was unique in having valet parking way back in the early 1900s.
Read about our recent visit to Star Drug Store.
Speaking of parking, there are eleven parking lots for parking your car around
the Strand area. If parking on the street in the Strand area, parking meters
are enforced from 10 am - 5 pm from Monday thru Saturday. You can also catch
a trolley every 20 minutes at designated stops, which services destinations
that cover the Strand , the Seawall, and Pier 21 areas. An expansion is underway
to extend the route to other sections of the city.
The Tall Ship Elissa, first launched in 1877, is the only ship of its' kind
in the world that still sails. The ship is comprised of square-rigged wrought
iron and has been restored to optimal condition through the efforts of area
organizations and volunteers. You can glimpse up close the cabins, the kitchen,
and below deck to see where and how the crew lived onboard.
While we were
touring the ship, one of the masts was being replaced and the outer deck
was being painted by volunteers. The pride in preserving the Elissa, which
sailed into the Galveston Bay , and was the oldest ship to sail for the gala
Statue of Liberty re-opening is evident. One volunteer noted that he had
been working with the ship for four years. When it sails into the Gulf, the
ship is surrounded by jumping dolphins. The Elissa is housed at Pier 21,
located at the end of 22nd Street.
The Texas Seaport Museum, located next to the Elissa, contains a comprehensive history of the city as a port for industry and port of entry for immigrants, who were detained nearby at Pelican Island . The museum includes an extensive database that contains over 133,000 immigrants who entered the country at Galveston. Also, visit the Ocean Star Oil Rig Museum nearby, aboard an actual oil rig, with oil industry displays and exploration exhibits.
While visiting area museums, be
sure to see the Railroad Museum, which is housed within an Art Deco building that was once a passenger depot. The depot includes life-sized passenger "ghost" sculptures dressed in vintage 1930 clothing, a creation of a national artist. The self-guided tour gives you the opportunity to walk through vintage mail cars, passenger trains, and view memorabilia.
See our photo tour of the Railroad
Museum here.
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