Stayed at the Kettle during a visit to Galveston. This place is so cool and unique! I was…read morepleasantly surprised to see how the owners (Mike and Ashley) fixed up the place. As far as accommodations, this experience was much nicer and more fun than staying in a hotel. There is a huge deck upstairs where you can enjoy the sun - and moon. The older, lower star reviews all apply to this place before it was renovated. If you're lucky enough to find it open on vrbo, snatch this place up for the weekend. Highly recommend!

Great place to stay out of Galveston business area, well designed and valued place to stay!read more

I'm a BOI, love Galveston and the few houses I built on island working with city officials was…read morepretty good, no complaints. All these crazy fees extra running around was my fault. Mr. Ewald was one of the nice guys along with Bill Plumber.

WOW!!!! These guys came out between storm bands to collect branches and debris keeping storm drains…read moreclear so that water would quickly recede! Thanks to them the island did not flood as bad as it could've! Thanks City of Galveston SWM for doing your best to keep our houses in Fish Village dry....we noticed!!!!

This beautiful church stands tall and is one of the more historical churches on Galveston Island…read more There is a small parking lot and there is street parking on neighboring streets. The larger marker reads, "Trustees of the Methodist Church purchased this lot in 1848 as a worship site for Black slaves. Meetings were held outdoors until a building was erected in 1863. At the end of the Civil War (1865), ownership of the property was transferred to the recently-freed Blacks, who organized the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Texas. It was later named in honor of the Rev. Houston Reedy of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who served as the first pastor. The church survived several natural disasters, beginning in 1875, when the sanctuary was damaged in a storm. It was destroyed in 1885 by a fire that burned a large area of the city. Finished in 1887, the present structure was restored after the destructive hurricane of 1900 and repaired again in 1947 and 1957. More than 30 ministers have served the congregation including the Rev. J.E. Edwards, the Rev. Josiah Armstrong, the Rev. M.D. Moody, The Rev. W.R. Beamer, the Rev Louis H. Reynolds, the Rev. A.I. Henley, the Rev. R.C. Walker, the Rev. Erford Barker, the Rev. C.B. Bryant, and The Rev. Sylvester I. Green. Many of Galveston's prominent Black citizens have been members of Reedy Chapel A.M.E. Church. Today the fellowship includes several descendants of the original founders." The building was secured when I was here on a weekday evening, so I was unable to see the interior. [Review 881 of 2024 - 636 in Texas - 21910 overall]

June 8, 2021 One of…read morethe many historical churches on the island. It's very unique because it's an African "Methodist/Episcopal" church! A 2-for one...which I've never known of that before. Church dates back to 1848 when black slaves were given the land where the church resides. After slavery ended in Texas this church acted as a school educating freed men/women. It endured the storm of 1900 but the original building was destroyed in a fire in 1885. Point of reference Church is off Broadway between 20-21st and next door to RCC resale FYI Every year (to date) people celebrate Juneteenth here

I'm glad I granted this entity a mulligan with my first review concerning gambling. Now, I read…read moretoday in the GDN, an editorial endorsing and explaining the good work the GED Partnership is doing. Specifically, they are studying a plan to build a new rail system, and bridge to Pelican Island. This is to increase shipping, and port activity into the Port of Galveston in general. As the editorial explained, other piers in Galveston proper could be used for other projects; possibly more cruise ships, maybe a Naval/Coast Guard birthing. I don't know about the particulars of the deal, and whether the Wharves Board or the ILA are averse to the idea. However it is great to see the GEDP exploring economic expansion, and a more diversified economy in Galveston. I applaud the effort. http://www.galvnews.com/opinion/editorials/

I was called for Federal jury duty with the US District Court, Southern District of Texas at the…read morehistoric courthouse in downtown Galveston, TX. The judge was kind and pleasant, and I feel he exemplified everything our forefathers had in mind when this court was established in 1846. The woodwork and fixtures were amazing. I really wanted to take pictures! Since they offer tours I may have to take advantage of this and see if they will allow a picture or two in the future. To schedule a tour when court is not in session or to check the dockets to attend an open court case please call the District Clerk's office at 409-766-3530. As a reminder to those using social media please do not comment on any case and if you are serving on a jury, do not search for or read any news related to the case.

This historical marker is located on northwest corner of Galveston Courthouse square and points out…read moresome of the early history of Texas when it was independent and before it joined the Union. The marker reads, "Galveston Island, for centuries a crossroads for Indians, privateers, Spanish and French explorers, for a time was capital of the Republic of Texas. This was during the Texas War for Independence, when Santa Anna was making his 1836 invasion. On March 17, the hastily organized and interim cabinet of President David G. Burnet evacuated Washington-on-the-Brazos, moving to Harrisburg, and then in April to Galveston. Here it remained until after the Texas victory at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. "From January 1836 until U. S. annexation in 1846, Galveston was the naval base for the fleet which protected shipping and sought to prevent Mexican invasion of Texas by way of the sea. "By September 1837 the 4 ships of the Texas Navy had all been lost. Not until April 1840 was the navy reorganized under President M. B. Lamar. A former U. S. Naval officer, Edwin W. Moore, was made commodore. Afterward, when Moore became involved in a bitter controversy with President Sam Houston, Houston ordered the Navy to be sold. At the sale, the incensed people of Galveston used forceful means to prevent bidding. The ships at annexation were all transferred to the United States Navy." This is marker number 7457 and it was erected in 1965 by the State Historical Survey Committee. [Review 884 of 2024 - 639 in Texas - 21913 overall]

This marker is on a street corner in front of a classic example of Galveston's architecture. There…read moreis plenty of metered parking nearby. The marker reads, "A native of Ireland, Nicholas Joseph Clayton emigrated to Ohio with his widowed mother in the early 1840s. After serving in the Union navy during the Civil War, he joined the Memphis architectural firm of Jones and Baldwin. In 1872 he was sent to Galveston to supervise construction of two company projects, the First Presbyterian Church and the Tremont Hotel. Attracted by the city's vitality and growth, he stayed to open his own architectural office. "A tireless worker noted for his bold style, attention to detailing, and professionalism, Clayton designed elaborate churches, commercial structures and homes throughout Texas and the South. His most significant contribution, however, was his influence on Galveston's architecture. From the 1870s to the early twentieth century, a period known as the city's golden era, his distinctive style was dominant. "Examples of Clayton's work which still exist include the Walter Gresham House (Bishop's Palace), Ashbel Smith Building (Old Red), W. L. Moody Building, and the Trueheart-Adriance Building in Galveston; St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Edward's College (Old Main) in Austin; R. E. Stafford Bank and opera house in Columbus; and Sacred Heart Church in Palestine." This is marker 8235 and it was erected in 1982 by the Texas Historical Commission. [Review 878 of 2024 - 633 in Texas - 21907 overall]

We were in the Galveston Historical District today, and dropped in at the Visitors Center for some…read moreinfo on the area. The young lady there couldn't have been more helpful. Simply marvelous!

Located in Hendley Green Park, this marker tells the story of an organization dedicated to…read morepreserving history for us, posterity. I'm thankful for their efforts. The marker reads, "In 1871, twelve men formed the Galveston Historical Society to preserve the history of Texas by collecting important documents. The group and its archive grew, but in 1880, the secretary died, telling no one where to find the collection. In 1885, the Society found it and placed it in the care of Phillip C. Tucker, Jr., and his son. Interest in the group waned, but in 1894, new energy led to its reorganization as the Texas Historical Society. New members included Rabbi Henry Cohen and Elbridge G. Littlejohn, as well as several women. They began storing the collection, most of which had been salvaged after Galveston's tragic 1900 storm, at the Rosenberg Library in 1906. In 1931, they gave the library full ownership. "After several inactive years, the Society was resurrected in 1942 under its old name and turned to preserving historic landmarks, publishing a booklet in 1951 of the island's significant homes. In 1954, one of those homes, the 1830s Williams-Tucker House, was threatened. The Society, unable by its charter to acquire property, formed a new group, the Galveston Historical Foundation, which purchased the home and restored it. In 1958, the two groups merged as the Galveston Historical Foundation. Over the next 50 years, the group saved buildings and helped establish historic districts, including The Strand, one of the largest extant Victorian business districts in the South. "After celebrating its 130th year in 2001, the nationally acclaimed foundation continues its leadership role in revitalization, museum operation, education, property management and preservation advocacy." This is marker number 13717 and it was erected in 2006 by the Texas Historical Commission. Check it out when you're in Galveston. [Review 872 of 2024 - 627 in Texas - 21901 overall]