Downtown Galveston

Galveston, TX is a city located on Galveston Island just off the coast of Texas about 50 miles southeast of Houston.  The city limits of Galveston stretch along Galveston Island and onto the neighboring Pelican Island and it is part of the larger metropolitan area of Houston.

The first European settlements on Galveston Island were established in 1816 to aid the Republic of Mexico in their war against Spain and after gaining independence, the Congress of Mexico established the Port of Galveston in 1825.  The Port of Galveston later became the port for the Texas Navy while the city was the capital of the Republic of Texas and it became a major U.S. port during the 19^th century.  Today, Galveston is still a major shipping center with tourism, health care, and the financial industry also as major contributors to the economy.

There are many people that live and work within Galveston on the island and if you own a home or business in the area, it is beneficial to know that there are local disaster restoration and cleaning service providers that work in the area.  The high humidity and chance for rain and even hurricanes on the island makes Galveston particularly vulnerable to water and storm damage and the restoration professionals that service the area can help homes and businesses recover after sustaining water or storm damage.  It is important to call for disaster restoration services immediately after the disaster to help limit the spread of the damage and save time and money on repair costs.

Water Damage Restoration on Galveston Island, TX

Flooding from Hurricane, Galveston 1915

Water damage can be caused by so many factors from leaky pipes or fixtures and high humidity to heavy rain, flooding, and sewage backups.  When water damage occurs, it will continue to spread through porous building materials such as wood, drywall, and insulation and eventually cause expensive damages and even mold growth.  Calling a water damage restoration professional in Galveston as soon as the water is discovered will help limit the spread of the damage and save you plenty of time and money on the restoration.  The high humidity level and chance of rain in Galveston make it especially important to act fast when dealing with water damage.

Smoke and Fire Damage Restoration in Galveston, TX

A fire is one of the most devastating disasters that can happen to a home or building and if the damage is not dealt with properly in the aftermath, it can result in extensive damages.  The soot and corrosive byproducts that are left lingering after a fire can cause permanent etching and the smoke odor will spread further throughout the building.  It is important to call the smoke and fire damage restoration professionals in Galveston immediately after a fire to stop the spread of the damage and begin the restoration.  Their quick response will help salvage your home and personal belongings before the damage becomes irreversible and these professionals can also remove smoke odor from the building and furnishings.

Ashton Villa, Galveston TX

Mold Removal in Galveston, TX

Mold is a common problem in homes and buildings, especially in a humid climate.  All it takes for mold to grow is moisture and a food source and the humid conditions of Galveston Island only contribute to creating the ideal environment for mold to grow.  If you notice mold growing in your home or building in Galveston, make sure to call a mold removal specialist immediately.  Allowing mold to grow will result in widespread property damage and increase the risk for certain health effects.  Mold removal professionals will remove the mold growth and help repair the resulting damage.

Rain, Heat, and Humidity: Galveston Weather

Galveston Island has a humid, subtropical climate that is the result of heat and moisture blown in from Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico.  The temperatures are very warm during the summer with highs consistently around 90 degrees and the humidity causes the heat index to be even warmer.  The temperatures are also pretty moderate in the winter at an average of about 60 degrees with lows only reaching the 50s.

Galveston Island Railroad Museum and Terminal

While the temperatures are great throughout most of the year, Galveston has plenty of rain and is prone to hurricanes during the summer and fall seasons.  The annual rainfall can average between 40 and 50 inches and Galveston has a history of hurricanes from the devastating hurricane of 1900 to Hurricane Ike in 2008.  People who own homes and businesses in the area should always be prepared for the possibility of a hurricane to prevent potential damage and if your home or business does sustain damage in a storm, make sure to contact local disaster restoration professionals to begin the rebuilding process.

Storm Damage and Construction Services in Galveston, TX

Hurricanes and thunderstorms can cause significant structural damage to a home or building that may require construction services to repair.  If the damage is severe enough, the home or building may be left unstable or exposed to further damages and vandalism.  There are local professionals in the Galveston area that provide construction services to help rebuild homes and buildings after a major storm.  After these storms hit, it is important to take immediate action to help secure your home or building and get it restored to its original condition.

Shipping and Tourism: Economy in the Oleander City

Galveston started out as a major port first for Mexico, then for the Republic of Texas, and finally for the United States as it was one of the most important ports in the country until the destruction of the Hurricane of 1900.  Today, the Port of Galveston is still an important port, contributing to the shipping and tourism industries in Galveston, and the finance and healthcare industries have also become major contributors to the Galveston economy.  Since Hurricane Ike in 2008, the city of Galveston has taken great strides in restoring the city’s economy.

The Rainforest Pyramid, Moody Gardens

The Port of Galveston is on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and includes over 850 acres of port facilities that can handle a variety of cargo types for shipping.  Not only is the port used for shipping and receiving purposes, but it has also become a terminal for passenger cruise ships that sail in the Caribbean.  Several major cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International use the Port of Galveston as their home port.

In addition to shipping and tourism, finance and health care also play an important part in Galveston’s economy.  Galveston is home to the headquarters of American National Insurance Company, one of the biggest life insurance companies in the country, and the headquarters of the Texas-based Moody National Bank.  The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has several teaching hospitals on campus that are among the largest in Texas.  Hurricane Ike caused damage to several of these hospitals in 2008 but many of them have since been reopened and restored to handle the capacity of patients that was possible before the storm.

Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning in Galveston, TX

A big part of owning a home or business is making sure the building stays clean and well maintained and one way to ensure this is with professional carpet and upholstery cleaning services.  The carpet and upholstery cleaning professionals in Galveston provide these services for commercial and residential settings to effectively clean and restore the appearance of your carpet and upholstery.  Allowing the carpet to become dirty or worn out can affect the overall appearance of a home or office and having it professionally cleaned will improve the appearance of the space while also extending the life of the carpet.

From Parks and Beaches to the Historic Districts: Fun Things to Do in Galveston, TX

Galveston Island State Park

Galveston, TX is a one of the most popular tourist destinations along the Gulf Coast, still living up to its moniker from the late 1800s, the “Playground of the South.”  Each year millions of tourists are attracted to the hotels, beaches, parks, and historic districts with houses and buildings from the 19^th century.  The following are among the most popular Galveston attractions.

• Historic Districts: There are six historic districts in Galveston that collectively have one of the largest collections of 19^th century homes and buildings in the country. More than 60 structures from these historic districts are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.  The historic districts in Galveston include the Silk Stocking National Historic District, the East End Historic District, Cedar Lawn, Denver Court, Fort Travis, and the popular Strand National Historic Landmark District.
• The Strand: The Strand National Historic Landmark District, or the Strand, is a major shopping and entertainment destination for tourists and it contains many Victorian era buildings, including the Grand 1894 Opera House, that have been repurposed as stores, restaurants, exhibits, and art galleries. The Strand also hosts the most popular Galveston events including the Galveston Island Jazz and Blues Festival, Mardi Gras festival, and the Dickens on the Strand Christmas festival.
• Architecture: The presence and preservation of the 19^th century homes and buildings in Galveston has earned national recognition as tourists are attracted to several prominent buildings throughout the city. These buildings include the Bishop’s Palace in the East End Historic District, the historic Galvez Hotel, the Victorian Italianate Ashton Villa, St. Joseph’s Church built by German immigrants in 1860, and the U.S. Custom House that was occupied by the Confederate Army during the Civil War.
• Performing Arts: Galveston has always been a center for performing arts and it is home to the Galveston Symphony Orchestra as well as the Galveston Ballet, both of which perform at the historic Grand 1894 Opera House. The Grand 1894 Opera House was built in the Romanesque Revival style and has been restored and added to the National Register for Historic Places.  It hosts local productions as well as traveling Broadway musicals, comedy, and music.  The East-End Theater Company is Galveston’s resident theater company that performs at Island Etc. Theater.
• Museums: There are a variety of museums in Galveston commemorating the city’s history including the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, the Galveston Island Railroad Museum and Terminal, the Lone Star Flight Museum, the Moody Mansion Museum, and Seawolf Park. The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum is a museum dedicated to the oil drilling and gas industry that is located on a retired offshore drill and the Galveston Island Railroad Museum and Terminal is located within the former Santa Fe Railroad station.  Seawolf Park is on Pelican Island which is just north of Galveston Island and it contains several marine ships from past wars including submarines, merchant ships, destroyer escorts, and two fully preserved U.S. Navy ships, the USS Cavalla and the USS Stewart.
• Beaches and Parks: Galveston has several parks and beaches around the island that offer a range of activities including swimming, camping, hiking, and fishing. Galveston Island State Park is one of the most popular parks in the area with beaches, ponds and wetlands, and public trails with a campground.  The Seawall is another popular beach destination where visitors can walk along the seawall that runs eight miles down the coast to protect the city from waves in the Gulf of Mexico.  Moody Gardens is a botanical garden that contains beaches, a hotel, golf course, a RideFilm Theater, and three pyramid attractions that include the Aquarium Pyramid and the Rainforest Pyramid which each include a variety of wildlife and the Discovery Pyramid which has science based exhibits and activities.

Sources:
http://www.galveston.com/default.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galveston,_Texas#Climate

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g55879-Galveston_Galveston_Island_Texas-Vacations.html

http://www.cityofgalveston.org/

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.