Uncover the legendary history of the Hotel Galvez, the "Queen of the Gulf," which has stood as a beacon of hope and resilience since its grand opening in 1911. From hosting iconic figures like Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eisenhower to serving as the wartime headquarters for the Coast Guard during World War II, the Galvez has seen it all.
Uncover the legendary history of the Hotel Galvez, the "Queen of the Gulf," which has stood as a beacon of hope and resilience since its grand opening in 1911. From hosting iconic figures like Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eisenhower to serving as the wartime headquarters for the Coast Guard during World War II, the Galvez has seen it all.
good enough for everybody and not too good for anybody. That was the tagline on the advertisement for the brand new Hotel Galvez in the Galveston Tribune on June 19, 1911. Known as the Queen of the Gulf, the Galvez is perched along the coast and shielded by the seawall in between 21st and 19th Street, the oldest historic beachfront hotel on the Texas coast and one of the finest hotels on Galveston Island, hosting vacations, events, weddings, meetings and exhibitions with iconic style. For well over a century, the Galvez Hotel has even hosted presidents, beauty queens, military heroes, gamblers, movie stars and entertainers from around the world. Upon opening in the summer of 1911, and entertainers from around the world. Upon opening in the summer of 1911, the hotel boasted that it was built at a cost of over $1 million, which is over $30 million today.
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In the mid to late 1800s, decades before the Galvez Hotel was constructed, galveston was known as a port and the economic hub of Texas, not so much a beach tourism destination. High-class resorts and hotels began being constructed along the beachfront in the 1880s. Visitors from around the country would come to enjoy the gulf breezes and warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Before the seawall was built, hotels and bathhouses where you could rent a bathing suit supported Galveston's beach tourism. In September of 1900, the 1900 storm devastated Galveston Island, severely damaging the city and the economy. Much of the port infrastructure took decades to rebuild and many business operations relocated to nearby Houston. Galveston began to plan a three-mile-long seawall right along the beachfront, protecting Galveston's urbanized portion of the island. Galvestonians needed to find another way to boost their economy. The natural decision was to lean into tourism and utilize Galveston's beachfront, and the planning for the grandest hotel on the Gulf Coast began. Confident local businessmen and investors began putting up the money to construct the grandest hotel as close to the beach as they possibly could. And in 1911, right behind the brand new Galveston seawall, the Galvez Hotel was open for business. Upon opening, the hotel featured an ice cream and soda fountain room declared the finest in the city. Originally, the exterior pink color was achieved by mixing pink granite into stucco, which reflected the sunlight and illuminated the hotel during sunrise. In 1920, the Hotel Galvez began hosting the Pageant of Pocritude, a new annual beauty contest open to women from around the world. It was the first true international swimsuit competition and later evolved again into the Miss Universe pageant, although on a smaller scale. The tradition of holding a beauty pageant in front of the Galvez Hotel lives on.
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President Franklin D Roosevelt came to Galveston in 1937 and spent 10 days in the Galvez Hotel, and for those 10 days the Galvez Hotel was transformed into a temporary White House, all while FDR enjoyed the abundant fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Secret servicemen, secretaries and other executive officials commandeered the entire fifth floor and all official communications were conducted through the hotel. The Galvez was also the preferred lodging for President Eisenhower, nixon and Johnson when they visited the island for official presidential business or just a fishing trip. During the mid-20th century, galveston was a gambling haven where you could hit one of the many gaming spots along the Galveston seawall and around the island, but none more famous than the Balinese Room right across the seawall from the Galvez Hotel. The entrance to the Balinese Room was right at 21st Street and Seawall and the structure extended 600 feet over the Gulf of Mexico. The Balinese Room was Galveston's premier nightlife and gambling venue, and its proximity made the Galvez Hotel the perfect location for the high rollers and entertainers. For two years during World War II, the United States Coast Guard commandeered the hotel, using it as a wartime headquarters and living space for staff. Drill practices were held on the front lawn, where a boxing ring was also set up for the soldiers.
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The name Galvez and Galveston sound a lot alike. Where does the name Galvez come from? Bernardo de Galvez, governor of Spanish Louisiana in the late 1700s. Bernardo de Galvez is one of the unsung heroes of the American Revolution. He led Spanish forces to defeat the British military along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Florida. One of his right-hand men, josé de Evia, was put in charge of mapping the Gulf Coast in 1785. And when Evie arrived to the bay just north of this island, he named the bay in honor of Bernardo de Galvez Bahia de Galvestown. The name of the hotel pays homage to Bernardo de Galvez, where you will see a few of his portraits as you roam around the lobby of the hotel.
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Over the past century, the hotel has undergone quite a few renovations. In 2021, the property was purchased by new owners and renamed the Grand Galvez. The interior has been meticulously refreshed to allow modern luxury while remaining respectful to its opulent history. As of 2024, the newly renovated hotel features 220 guest rooms, a 10,000-square-foot spa area, numerous event spaces and a bar, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Today, the Grand Galvez Hotel attracts lovers of history and modern luxury alike, and visitors should take a moment to pay their respects to its legacy. The Galvez Hotel brought life and luxury back to Galveston Island after the 1900 storm. The 1911 Galvez Hotel Good enough for everybody and not too good for anybody. Long live the Queen of the Gulf.
