The Galveston Seawall by H-TownJourneyman
In the aftermath of the horrific 1900 hurricane that killed over 8,000 people, and causing the entire island to submerge, officials decided that there needed to be some sort of barrier to protect the city of Galveston from future tropical storms. In 1902, construction began on the seawall, that now protects nearly 10 miles of the eastern end of the island from the potential ravages of storm surges caused by incoming hurricanes. Since it's completion, it has been tested several times by storms, and proving very effective in defense of the city. The seawall rises 17 feet above the beachfront, made of concrete. Much of the beachfront that is protected by the seawall also has huge blocks of Texas pink granite just in front of the wall as another front against the scurge of storms. During the construction of the seawall, and over the course of 6 years, the entire city of Galveston was also raised over 6 feet, with buidings being jacked up, and sand pumped underneath them. Seawall Blvd, running above & along the stretch of the wall, provides beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico, and is an excellent place to go jogging, or take a leisurely stroll along the waterfront. There are many restaurants, hotels & shops all down the seawall, and recently a carnival area was set up with many rides and games for people to enjoy.
