Galveston, Texas Vacation ~ Shrimp Boats, Fishing, Historic Strand and Harbor ~ Pictures and YouTube Videos

Galveston Tourism

There is so very much to do and see in Galveston, Texas while on vacation! This hub will feature the historic Strand area of downtown as well as the harbor, shrimp boats, fishing and more. Did you know that Galveston is also known as the City of Oleanders? Oleander flowers can be viewed on a profusion of shrubs growing in many places for long periods of time on that Island City by the Gulf of Mexico.

Come along for a scenic tour with pictures and YouTube videos as you'll get yet another look at Galveston.

If this tickles your fancy, be sure and view the other Galveston hubs that have been written showing other points of interest and different features of this City of Galveston, Texas.

Shrimp Boats

A common site able to be viewed in Galveston are the abundance of shrimp boats as well as other fishing and pleasure boats in and around this aquatic wonderland.

Shrimping is a most important industry for people all along the Gulf of Mexico coast and for shrimpers in Galveston this is no exception.

In Galveston Bay three types of shrimp are caught...white, pink and brown.

Each type of shrimp seems to migrate in and out of the deeper waters of the Gulf at different times of the year.

By far the largest catch consists of the brown shrimp. Many millions of pounds of shrimp are caught annually.

Shrimping industry

Shrimp is one of the most popular of seafood items eaten annually by people from all around the world.

There are farm raised ones, but those caught in the wild are generally better flavored and preferred.

Shrimp are caught in drag nets or large trawl nets in which winches can hoist the nets and the catch on board the shrimp boats.

It is hard work on the part of the people making their living by way of doing that.

This video by a Louisianna shrimper shows how it is accomplished.

TEDs

Since 1989 shrimpers are required to use TEDs (Turtle excluder devices) in their nets. Prior to that, the sea turtles were being ensnared in these nets and many of them died as a result.

Of the five species of sea turtles in the Gulf of Mexico...all are endangered.

Other fish are caught as well by these nets intended to catch shrimp, but there are also some excluder devices that can be used by the shrimpers (in addition to the TEDs) to exclude the needless killing of other sea inhabitants. Sadly, some of this is an unavoidable side effect of trawling for shrimp.

Enjoying seafood in Galveston

If you are hungry for some good shrimp or seafood, Galveston, Texas is not only a great source for commercial fishing income...fully 1/3rd of all the seafood caught in the Gulf comes through Galveston...but it also has some wonderful seafood restaurants serving up those deliciously prepared delicacies.

If you are there at the right time of year, perhaps you can even enjoy the Shrimp Festival in Galveston held in the Fall.

Fishing in Galveston

Recreational fishing is a huge pastime for residents and nearby residents of Galveston, Texas as well as for tourists visiting the area.

There are 162 species of fish found in the Gulf of Mexico waters.

Many people have their own boats in or near Galveston. In fact from what I have read Galveston has the third largest concentration of recreational boats in all of the United States. That is a lot of boats!

Our artist buddy and friend, Charles Criner, spends much of his leisure time fishing and he has created some wonderful pieces of art based upon that pastime.

Estuaries and Marshlands

The estuaries and marshlands as well as tidal creek areas around Galveston provide needed shelter for sea-life as it emerges into larger specimens that then migrate out into the open waters.

As one drives down Highway 45 before one goes over the bridge to the island, one passes many of these important marshy areas.

Crabbing

Many people also like to go crabbing around Galveston as well as catching fish.

This can be a fun family leisure activity as well as providing fresh and tasty crabs for the dinner table that day.

Blue crabs are the primary ones found in this location.

If crabbing is right up your alley...have fun watching this video.

Oysters

For those individuals who enjoy eating fresh and briny tasting oysters, you will be happy to see this next video about some of the restoration efforts taking place in re-establishing oyster habitats in the Gulf.

Oil drilling rigs in Galveston

There are a number of active oil drilling rigs based in the nearby as well as further offshore areas of Galveston.

Some can be seen in the distance as one gazes out at the Gulf of Mexico waters from the shore.

And some are close enough to take pictures of as in the photo below.

There is even a non-operational oil rig platform that is now open to the public as a museum called the Ocean Star. It is located on Harborside Drive near the historic downtown Strand area in Galveston. By visiting this museum one can acquire knowledge about how oil is acquired by the people operating these rigs. Generally this is done safely and with efforts to protect the environment.

The BP oil spill stands as a horrific example of things gone terribly wrong.

Port of Galveston

The Port of Galveston was established in 1825 going back to the days when this part of the country was still a part of Mexico.

During the Texas Revolution, it served as a main port for the Texas Navy.

Today, tonnage of various commodities is moved through this port, although much more of it goes to and from Houston since the Houston Ship Channel was dredged out bringing transoceanic ships further inland.

Still it serves as one of the commercial port cities on the Gulf of Mexico and also serves as a port for cruise ship lines.

We have friends who have regularly sailed out of the Port of Galveston on cruises to different destinations.

The Historic Strand

Let's take a look at some of these magnificent buildings starting with the Stewart Building. A Texas Historical Plaque posted near the building states the following:

"THE STEWART BUILDING

Julius Kauffman (1856-1935) and Julius Runge (1851-1906), second generation owners of a commission firm established in 1842, had architect Eugene T. Heiner design this Renaissance Revival building in the North Italian mode. Contractor Robert Palisser completed the structure in 1882. Then known as the world's foremost cotton exporters and the initiators of coffee imports from Brazil, Kauffman-Runge also brought significant numbers of settlers to Texas. They housed commodities on the building/s ground floor, and had offices above. Many highly-respected Galveston firms had business quarters here.

In 1905 the property was bought by Maco Stewart (1871-1938), who redesigned the interior to create a gallery effect with an arched skylight on the top floor. A foresighted, dynamic lawyer, Maco Stewart in 1908 founded Stewart Title Guaranty Company, now (1978) the largest title firm in Texas. Throughout expansion across the United States, it continuously had offices in this structure of its origin.

Stewart Title Company has restored the building, replacing the ornate cornice which had previously been missing since the famous 1900 Galveston Storm."

Trueheart-Adriance Building

The Trueheart-Adriance building today is utilized by the Junior League of Galveston. A historic plaque on the building says the following:

Designed in Neo-Renaissance, High Victorian style by Nicholas J. Clayton, noted architect, for H.M. Trueheart & Co., first chartered Realty firm in Texas, founded by John O. Trueheart in 1857.

H.M. Trueheart joined his father in 1866, admitted John Adriance as a p;artner in 1871, and built this structure in 1882.

After H.M. Trueheart retired in 1906, the firm continued through 1953 as John Adriance & Sons.

In 2002 I created a linocut of this historic building limited to 85 hand printed, numbered and signed prints.

Hutchings, Sealy & Co. Buildings

This is another stunning beauty in The Strand. A Texas Historical Commission plaque tells the following story:

"Four decades after joining in partnership, George Ball, John Henry Hutchings, and John Sealy employed prominent Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton to design office building for their Ball, Hutchings & Co. Commission andBanking operations. Built in 1895 as two individual but connected structures, these buildings complemented Galveston's Strand Avenue, known at the time as the "Wall Street of the Southwest."

The buildings' Renaissance Revival style is represented by the heavily rusticated stone arches featured on its entryways, terra cotta detailing on the parapets and entablatures, evenly spaced columns and pilasters, elaborate stone cornice, and arcading windows. The foundation walls are six feet wide at the base and made of pressed brick with ashlar patterned sandstone facing.

The corner building, which features the name "Hutchings" on its entablature, was originally constructed for John H. Hutchings. The adjoining office building, featuring the name "Sealy" on its entablature, was built for John Sealy. These majesticbuildings are reminders of a grand era in Galveston's history and the philanthropic legacy of these early businessmen.

Dickens on the Strand

An annual event...just one of many in Galveston, Texas has revelers from all over coming to experience "Jolly Old England" from back in the days when Charles Dickens was alive.

They have parades, floats, people dressed up in period costumes and much music and food.

It is always held in early December and people come from far and wide to join in the fun and excitement.

Mardi Gras in Galveston

Is Galveston a party city or what!

Prior to the beginning of Lent leading up to Easter each year a massive Mardi Gras celebration is held in Galveston. According to their official website, in the year 2012 this will be 101 years of back to back celebrations!

This is another time Galveston fills with tourists hungry for gala celebrations; parades and people hoping to catch and add to their bead collection being tossed from atop storefronts and passing floats.

It is a carnival celebration extraordinaire!

City of Galveston

If you have been taking a look at some of the other hubs that have been written about Galveston, by now you are probably getting an idea of the history, the beauty and some of the many attractions that lure people to this city on the Gulf of Mexico over and over again.

From proximity to the water whether just to lay on the beaches absorbing a few rays of the sun, or to enjoy surfboarding, boating, or fishing...it is all there ready and waiting.

Wish to take a cruise? No problem! You can take a cruise lasting just a few days or longer from this convenient departure port.

The Strand is filled with restaurants, shops, art galleries and more enticing you to leave a little of your money behind.

Museums and historic houses can be toured. The list could go on and on. Suffice it to say that if you are seeking a fun place in which to vacation, Galveston, Texas is certain to please.

Hope that you enjoyed this look at a Galveston vacation from the perspective of seeing shrimp boats, fishing, the harbor and pictures taken in the historic Strand area of town. Come on down y'all! Enjoy some good Galveston, Texas hospitality!

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