Hotel Galvez facts for kids
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Galvez Hotel
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Galvez Hotel in 2006
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 Galvez Hotel
Location in Texas
Galvez Hotel
Location in the United States
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| Location | 2024 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, Texas |
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| Area | 3 acres (1.2 ha) |
| Built | 1910; 109 Years Ago |
| Architect | Mauran & Russell |
| Architectural style | Mission/Spanish Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 79002944 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | April 4, 1979 |
The Hotel Galvez is a famous historic hotel in Galveston, Texas, United States. It first opened its doors in 1911. The hotel was named after Bernardo de Gálvez, 1st Viscount of Galveston. He was a Spanish leader for whom the city of Galveston is also named.
This special building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 4, 1979. Today, Hotel Galvez & Spa is part of Wyndham Worldwide and is a member of Historic Hotels of America. This program is the official one for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Contents
The Story of Hotel Galvez
A New Start After the Hurricane
Leaders in Galveston wanted to build the Galvez Hotel back in 1898. This was after a big fire destroyed another hotel on the island. But plans sped up after the terrible 1900 Galveston hurricane. This storm hit in 1900 and caused a lot of damage. The goal was to bring tourists back to the island.
The hotel was designed by Mauran, Russell & Crowell. They were architects from St. Louis, Missouri. They used a mix of Mission Revival and Spanish Revival styles. The hotel opened in June 1911. It cost about $1 million to build.
Changes Over Time
On October 3, 1940, William Lewis Moody, Jr. bought the Galvez Hotel. During World War II, the United States Coast Guard used the hotel for two years. Rooms were not rented to tourists during this time.
After the war, the Galvez became important again for the local economy. This was especially true in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It was a very popular place for fun and entertainment. However, when some of the popular activities became less common, the hotel started to decline.
The hotel got a big makeover in 1965. In 1971, Harvey O. McCarthey and Dr. Leon Bromberg bought it. In 1979, another major renovation started. This was led by Denton Cooley, who bought the hotel in 1978. It became a Marriott hotel in 1989.
In April 1995, George P. Mitchell bought the hotel. He was a real estate developer from Galveston. Mitchell worked to make the hotel look like it did in 1911. Today, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts manages the hotel. The Hotel Galvez has 226 rooms and suites.
Weathering the Storms
The hotel was built in 1911. This was eleven years after a huge hurricane hit Galveston Island. That storm killed about 6,000 people. It also destroyed most of the buildings on the island. The Galvez Hotel stands where the Beach Hotel, Electric Pavilion, and Pagoda Bathhouse once were.
During Hurricane Ike in 2008, the hotel lost some roof tiles. Its lower level also flooded. This area held the spa, health club, offices, and laundry.
A Place for Famous Faces
The Galvez was known as "The Playground of the Southwest." It was a favorite spot for wealthy people, business leaders, and celebrities. American Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Lyndon B. Johnson stayed there. General Douglas MacArthur also visited.
Other famous guests included Jimmy Stewart, Frank Sinatra, and Howard Hughes. Many of the suites on the 6th and 7th floors are named after these well-known people.
Gallery
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Hotel Galvez, Galveston, Texas (postcard, circa 1911-1924
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Galveston Electric Co. tracks adjacent to Hotel Galvez (in background) after the 1915 Galveston Hurricane
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Galveston Electric Co. tracks through City Park adjacent to Hotel Galvez after the 1915 Galveston Hurricane
Images for kids
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Hotel Galvez in 2022
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