Besides its entrancing sea, Galveston has more fun and attractions than you can fit into a whole summer, from inviting pockets of interesting shops and cafes, to great colored pyramids and cascading waterfall creations. If you've never vacationed in Galveston before, you're in for a distinctive treat. And if you're a longtime visitor - maybe even been coming your whole life - you'll find that this everchanging magical island still has many wonderful surprises waiting.
Galveston is part Southern, part Texan, abloom with towering oleanders of every color, and more history and stories than cities 20 times its size. Part of what is entrancing about Galveston is that it is so much a town in its own right, and always has been. For many years, the town was called "the Free State of Galveston" because it was so unlike the rest of Texas.
Everything is bigger in Texas, and in the nineteenth century, everything in Texas was done first in Galveston. Incorporated in 1839, Galveston quickly became the most active port west of New Orleans and the largest city in the state. This exciting and sophisticated center built the state's first post office, first opera house, first hospital, had the first law firm west of the Mississippi, had the state's first telephone and electric lights, first golf course, first country club... the list goes on and on.
Galveston's Port is located on the upper Texas coast at the mouth of beautiful Galveston Bay, just 30 minutes steaming time from the open sea. This ideal location boasts facilities to handle all types of cargo including Containers, Dry and Liquid Bulk, Breakbulk, RO/RO, Refrigerated and Project Cargoes and Cruise Passengers.
Just what is the Galveston Wharves or the Port of Galveston? To start with, what is the correct name? The public agency that operates the public port is officially known as the Board of Trustees of the Galveston Wharves, so designated by the City Charter as set forth and adopted on the 17th day of October, 1940. The wharf and terminal properties purchased by the City of Galveston were set apart and designated as a separate utility of the City. Thus the name "Galveston Wharves".
Prior to the city purchasing the wharf and terminal properties located on the eastern side of Galveston Island, private interests known as the Galveston Wharf Company controlled the port facilities. Thus the name "Wharf Company" which is referenced by many today.
In the maritime and transportation industries, Galveston's port authority is known as the "Port of Galveston". Most ports today are known as "Port of ..." whether they are municipally owned, state owned, or controlled by a navigation district.
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