Galveston Before
Boyd, John, and Craig Hlavaty. "Photos of the 1900 Storm in Galveston."
Before the hurricane hit, Galveston was a prosperous port of 37,000. It was home to many firsts, including the first medical college in the state, the first electric lights and streetcars, and the first library. This all seemed to be signs of a prosperous future. This was thought to be true "until the deadliest hurricane in U.S. history changed things forever." (2)
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Texas Escapes. "The Galveston Seawall." Texas Escapes.com.
Wealth
Before the storm, "Galveston had grown from a small settlement on the Texas coast into one of the wealthiest cities in the country." Because of the natural channel through the city of Galveston, it became the most important seaport in Texas. Railroads were built to carry cargo to and from this port as ships brought in more goods. "More than 70% of the country's cotton crop at the time passed through the port of Galveston." (3)
Tourism
With the warm, clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico on its coast, wealthy citizens from all throughout the state and country visited Galveston, making it a popular vacation destination. Because of the shallow and warm waters of the Gulf, bathers and vacationers could safely "wade several yards offshore and enjoy what was considered to be therapeutic bathing" (4).
Before the storm, Galveston was already situated less than 9 feet above sea level. Because of this almost negligible height above the ocean and other less-destructive hurricanes that had hit Galveston before, many people proposed the construction of a seawall to protect the low-grounded city. However, Isaac Cline, the chief meteorologist at the Galveston Weather Bureau, dismissed the residents' concerns and told them it would be impossible for a hurricane of significant strength to ever strike the island. This, along with the lack of government initiative, prevented the construction of the initial seawall which could have protected the city from the Great Hurricane. (5)
