Galveston in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Galveston in the Republic of Texas
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.
Erected 1965 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 7457.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Texas Independence • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1836.
Location. 29° 18.199′ N, 94° 47.426′ W. Marker is in Galveston, Texas, in Galveston County. Marker is at the intersection of Moody Avenue (21st Street) and Avenue G, on the right when traveling north on Moody Avenue (21st Street). On northwest corner of Galveston Courthouse square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 722 Moody Avenue (21st Street), 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. George Campbell Childress (within shouting distance of this marker); Exploration (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rt. Rev. Monsignor James Martin Kirwin (within shouting distance of this marker); Rabbi Henry Cohen (within shouting distance of this marker); Texas Bar Association (within shouting distance of this marker); [Galveston County] Early History (within shouting distance of this marker); Dignified Resignation (within shouting distance of this marker); Galveston County Communities (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galveston.
Also see . . . The Texas Navy Association website. (Submitted on September 30, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,125 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 24, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.