In 1900, Galveston, Texas was a wealthy and prosperous city. On September 8, a powerful hurricane made landfall on the island, bringing catastrophic damage. The storm had winds over 120 mph and a massive storm surge that overwhelmed the flat island. Over 6,000 people were killed, and thousands of buildings and homes were destroyed. In the aftermath, bodies were buried where they lay and structures burned due to the immense death and destruction. The storm was the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history and devastated Galveston, but the city began to rebuild through efforts like constructing a seawall and raising structures on the island.

1. Galveston 1900 Storm The Deadliest Natural Disaster in U.S. History

8. A boy sits on top of all the debris after the 1900 storm. He is smiling and happy to be alive.

10. Where thousands of buildings once stood, nothing was left but piles of rubble.

11. The inside of St. Patrick’s Church after the storm.

13. Pathways were made through the debris so people could get around.

14. Those who could not bear the destruction and who had nothing left for them in Galveston, boarded ships to the mainland in hopes of starting over.

18. The sea wall as it stands today. Murals were painted to make it more attractive to tourists.

21. Houses were rebuilt and later raised by jackscrews to help them withstand future hurricanes.

23. Buildings in Galveston that are still standing from the 1900 storm are marked with a memorial plaque.

24. Tourist can watch a documentary retelling the events of September 8, 1900 at the Pier 21 Theater.

25. The Galveston storm of 1900 remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. Though it was a horrific and painful event for many, it is important that we learn and know about this experience so that we may better understand how the community of Galveston has bounced back from a most dreadful time.

26. Resources Cline, I.M. (1900, September 23). Special report on the Galveston hurricane of September 8, 1900 . Retrieved June 23, 2011 from http://web.archive.org/web/20070209050501/www.history.noaa.gov/stories_tales/cline2.html Heidorn, K. (2000, September 1). The 1900 Galveston hurricane . Retrieved June 23, 2011 from http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/events/1900hurr.htm City of Galveston 1900 Storm Committee, . (2011). The 1900 storm . Retrieved June 23, 2011 from http://1900storm.com/ Henderson, J. (Photographer). (2008). Hurricane Ike 2008 . [Web]. Retrieved June 22, 2011 from http://www.flickr.com/photos/bugginout/4661420571/ Galveston disaster I’m glad ise living c. 1900 . (2010). [Web]. Retrieved June 22, 2011 from http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/5093052794/ Galveston disaster people leaving city after flood c. 1900 . (2077). [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldeyankee/5156111806/ *All images licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License

27. Victorian homes post office . (2006). [Web]. Retrieved June 22, 2011 from http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurascudder/2671638621/ Peeks, M. (Photographer). (2007). (Mexican) wave . [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinp23/999194130/ No known restrictions: Galveston hurricane damage: interior St. Patrick's church by M.H. Zahner, 1900 (loc) . (2007). [Web]. Retrieved June 22, 2011 from http://www.flickr.com/photos/pingnews/493262226/ Ripley, A. (2008, September 15). A brief history of: the 1900 Galveston hurricane . Retrieved June 21, 2011 from http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,18414 42,00.html Rosenberg Library, . (2003, February 25). Frequently asked questions about the 1900 Galveston storm . Retrieved June 22, 2011 from http://www.gthcenter.org/exhibits/storms/1900/victims/stormfaq.htm Resources *All images licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License