Galveston in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Hotel Galvez

Photographed By Gregory Walker, April 18, 2010

1. Hotel Galvez Marker

Lower plaque designates the building's placement on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Inscription. Built at a cost of $1,000,000, this hotel was financed by local businessmen and public subscribers to help the economy of Galveston following the 1900 hurricane. Completed in 1911, it was designed by the St. Louis firm of Mauran and Russell. The Spanish Colonial revival styling includes a red tile roof and white stuccoed brick walls. The hotel and city are named in honor of Count Bernado de Galvez (1746-86), Spanish Governor of Louisiana and Viceroy of Mexico. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1980

Erected 1980 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7494.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1900.

Location. 29° 17.546′ N, 94° 47.168′ W. Marker is in Galveston, Texas, in Galveston County. Marker can be reached from Seawall Boulevard. Marker is on column to left of entrance to the hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2024 Seawall Boulevard, 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. Bernardo de Galvez (here, next to this marker); Albertson Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Henry C. Henck, Jr. House (approx. ¼ mile away); Silk Stocking Historic District (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hawes Summer Home

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); George Dealey (approx. 0.4 miles away); Galveston Orphans Home (approx. 0.4 miles away); Galveston Children's Home (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galveston.

Hotel Galvez image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Gregory Walker, April 18, 2010

2. Hotel Galvez

Historic Hotels of America plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard Denney, December 31, 2013

3. Historic Hotels of America plaque

View of Galvez from Historic Balinese Pier image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard Denney, December 31, 2013

4. View of Galvez from Historic Balinese Pier

The Balinese Room was an elite spot in the 1940s and 1950s (Galveston's "open era" when illegal gambling made it a hub of mob activity), featuring entertainment by Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, George Burns, The Marx Brothers and other top acts of the day. Patrons of the private club included Howard Hughes, Sophie Tucker and wealthy oil barons from nearby Houston. Famous entertainers and patrons would of course have stayed at the Galvez.

Balinese National Register of Historic Places Plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard Denney, December 31, 2013

5. Balinese National Register of Historic Places Plaque

National Register of Historic Places plaque for the Balinese. The Balinese was destroyed in 2008 by Hurricane Ike.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 25, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,125 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 3, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.