Galveston in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Middle Passage Galveston, Texas
Photographed By John Bloomfield, June 10, 2017
1. Middle Passage Galveston, Texas Marker
Sources - Voyages: The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database, Emory University; Early Life in the Southwest - The Bowies, DeBow's Review, Vol. 13, Issue 4
(October 1852); African Americans in South Texas History (Perspectives on South Texas, sponsored by Texas A&M University-Kingsville), Bruce A. Glasrud
This marker commemorates enslaved Africans in Galveston during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as well as those who perished during the transatlantic slave trade known as the Middle Passage.
Galveston Historical Foundation
Erected by Galveston Historical Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans.
Location. 29° 18.544′ N, 94° 47.587′ W. Marker is in Galveston, Texas, in Galveston County. Marker is at the intersection of Harborside Drive and Moody Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Harborside Drive. The marker is located at the entrance to the Galveston Historic Seaport building at Pier 21. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2200 Harborside Drive, Galveston TX 77550, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle of Galveston (a few steps from this marker); Central Wharf (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Navy of the Republic of Texas (about 500 feet away); Mallory-Produce Building (about 500 feet away); Galveston Historical Foundation (about 600 feet away); The First National Bank of Galveston (about 600 feet away);
this page online
Regarding Middle Passage Galveston, Texas. Traditionally associated with annual observances related to Juneteenth, Galveston is the last place on the U.S. mainland where almost two years later, enslaved persons learned of their emancipation (1863) and the end of the Civil War (1865). The historical narrative of this location has expanded to include the arrival of smuggled captive Africans at the port during the 18th and 19th centuries, especially by human traders - the Lafitte brothers and the Bowie family (James, John, and Rezin) - who supplied labor to both Texas and Louisiana for economic development. One of the Lafitte brothers lived in Galveston for six years until fellow residents forced him to move because of his criminal and smuggling activities.
Also see . . . Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Markers Project. (Submitted on April 5, 2020, by John Bloomfield of Palm Coast, Florida.)
Photographed By James Hulse, March 14, 2022
2. The Middle Passage Galveston Marker along the wall of the entrance to the Galveston Historic Seaport
Photographed By James Hulse, March 14, 2022
3. The front entrance to the Galveston Historic Seaport build with the marker on the right side
Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 5, 2020, by John Bloomfield of Palm Coast, Florida. This page has been viewed 732 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on April 5, 2020, by John Bloomfield of Palm Coast, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on March 15, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
