Resurgence and Renaissance: The history behind Tremont House Hotel
Dec 01, 2023
Galveston Unscripted | J.R. Shaw
Dating back to 1839, the Tremont House in Galveston holds a storied history, witnessing Sam Houston's address and serving as a residence for both Confederate and Union soldiers. Despite facing a tragic fire in 1865 and the devastating 1900 hurricane, the hotel was resurrected by George and Cynthia Mitchell in 1981, sparking the revitalization of Galveston's historic downtown. Today, the 3rd rendition of the Tremont House offers guests a unique glimpse into the past while preserving its legacy for generations to come.
Dating back to 1839, the Tremont House in Galveston holds a storied history, witnessing Sam Houston's address and serving as a residence for both Confederate and Union soldiers. Despite facing a tragic fire in 1865 and the devastating 1900 hurricane, the hotel was resurrected by George and Cynthia Mitchell in 1981, sparking the revitalization of Galveston's historic downtown. Today, the 3rd rendition of the Tremont House offers guests a unique glimpse into the past while preserving its legacy for generations to come.
Welcome to the historic Tremont House, a legendary hotel that has played a significant role in Galveston's rich history. The Tremont House is a Galveston institution that dates back to 1839. Noted moments in the Tremont timeline include Sam Houston delivering his last public address, cotton merchants haggling over deals and Native American chiefs sampling southern cuisine In the Tremont halls. Men and women came to dance at grand balls and soldiers from three wars returned to homecoming banquets. The Tremont House we know today is the third iteration bearing the name. The original Tremont House was built the same year. The city of Galveston was officially founded, 1839. It was one of the island's most fashionable destinations. The hotel opened with a grand ball commemorating the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, which secured independence for Texas from Mexico. The opening celebration was attended by esteemed guests who paid $50 in Texas currency or $25 in gold for a ticket. The stylish two-story building was the grandest hotel in the Republic of Texas, located at the corner of Post Office and Tremont Street. The first Tremont House drew visitors from across the world. Six future or sitting American presidents and the foreign ministers of France and England are recorded in her guest ledgers.
J.R.:
On April 19, 1861, general Sam Houston delivered a poignant address from the hotel's north gallery. Cautioning against the horrors of joining the Civil War, he prophesied that the South's secession efforts would result in devastation. During the Civil War, confederate, then Union soldiers made a home in the hotel. This landmark hotel was the center of social life on Galveston Island and Texas for over 26 years. In June of 1865, the Bell of the South, the Tremont House, succumbed to a great fire that raged in the Strand District for days and destroyed entire city blocks in the downtown district. For more than five years the beloved landmark lay in ruins. But the spirit of Galveston is eternal and several of Galveston Island's business leaders organized the company to build a new hotel on the ashes of the old. This grand new Tremont House was a magnificent four-story structure that rivaled the South's grandest attractions. Noted architect Nicholas Clayton designed the hotel and later went on to design many of Galveston's most prominent and beautiful buildings.
J.R.:
The second Tremont House opened in 1872 and attracted dignitaries and the elite from around the world. Its ads touted being the only hotel in Galveston with a passenger elevator. In 1900, a devastating hurricane barreled across the Gulf of Mexico and straight into Galveston Island. It is estimated that between 6,000 and 8,000 people were killed in this tragic nightmare and the island was left in ruins. As Galveston's post-storm economy slipped into depression, the once grand hotel faded into a shadow of her former glory. The second Tremont House was condemned and ultimately demolished in 1928.
J.R.:
The legendary hotel was destined to rise again in a new location. In 1981, george and Cynthia Mitchell acquired the Leon and H Bloom building and transformed it into the third Tremont House. The 1879 building, formerly a dry goods warehouse office building, is now a romantic hotel that captures the spirit and elegance of its predecessors. When the hotel opened in 1985, it was the first major hotel to open in downtown Galveston in 60 years and was a catalyst for the revitalization of Galveston's historic downtown. Its grand opening coincided with the revival of Mardi Gras in Galveston and was commemorated with a grand Mardi Gras ball, which continues today. The present Tremont House stands as a testament to Galveston's enduring spirit and rich history, offering guests a glimpse into the grandeur of the past. With its storied legacy, iconic architecture and timeless charm, this hotel continues to welcome visitors from around the world, ensuring that the legacy of the Tremont House lives on for generations to come.
