One Day in Galveston

One day in Galveston... is not enough, but we tried.

The Bishop's Palace was completed in 1892 for the railroad magnate Walter Gresham.   From 1923 until the 1960's the home was used as the residence of the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston.

The interior is fantastic with ornate wood carvings in every room.  Awesome in all respects.

We toured the Elissa, the only tall ship still sailing regularly.

These photos are of the Elissa when she was about to be scraped in a Greek shipyard.

And now look at her under full sale in Galveston Bay.

Ate lunch at Joe's Crab Shack.

             

The Ocean Star is an oil rig museum.  It was very technical and very informing.

                                It's a bit hard to see with the reflections but this model shows how drilling is done horizonally. 

This is a model of an oil rig.  This is a model builders dream.  

Outside are the huge machines using in drilling.  Honestly I was overwhelmed by all the technology on these rigs.  I'm surprised there are not more accidents.

Loved this photo in the museum.

And enjoyed watching the pelican splashing around.

Then we were off to the movie about the 1900 hurricane which devastated Galveston Island.

I copied this photo from the film.  Over 6000 people died during the storm.  Later a 17 foot high seawall was build along the Gulf Coast.  Then in 1915 another hurricane hit the island and the seawall held and damage was minimal.  

The Silk Stocking area of Galveston is so named because the folks that lived here were the only ones who could afford silk stockings.

Some of the homes are still privately owned and well maintained.

It was a fun, busy day.  Certainly a place to spend a lot more time.