Galveston Monthly - Exploring Your Island Paradise

This Month

Island Flavors Unleashed

Brunch is a meal with an island attitude. It’s a laid-back, relaxed meal that matches the vibe of Galveston Island on a weekend afternoon. Part breakfast and part lunch, the menu is most often served between 10 am and 3 pm.

Cooking With Chef Mary Bass

Grab your plate! Chef Mary Bass is serving up cooking classes at her new la Mesa Cooking Studio at 1506 39th Street. Bass, a fifth-generation BOI (born on the island) who once finished runner-up on Food Network’s show Cutthroat Kitchen, has over 20 years of ...

Storied Residents

The two-story home at 1317 24th Street has been home to a colorful tapestry of businessmen, educators, a person in the medical field, and a man of faith. Each of their families made an impact on the community uniquely. Harry Smith Spangler (1864-1902) came to Texas from Maryland ...

Tremont House Hotel

The enduring enchantment of Galveston Island is partly attributed to its intricate fusion of captivating historical tales and splendid architectural design, influenced by the ravages of military conflict, fires, and natural disasters - and the triumph over all three. Galveston’s lovingly restored ...

Tomato Companions

There are few things more rewarding than picking, or eating, your own home-grown, vine-ripened tomatoes. Early bird enthusiasts are already enjoying an early crop, but summertime is the best time to celebrate all things tomato.

Mother/Daughter Duo

In 1592, Donatella Cinelli Colombini's ancestors began building Fattoria del Colle in Tequanda while also cultivating their nearby property at Casato in Montalcino, Italy. Religious disputes would lead to the family losing all of their property ....

Galveston Historical Foundation celebrates 50 years of the island’s rich architectural legacy through public tours of privately owned homes during its annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour. Tours will be held on May 4, 5, 11, and 12 from 10 am to 6 pm.

Large, small, and everything in between, the 2024 tour will have something for everyone. In addition to the tours, the annual event features numerous special events, allowing guests unique experiences in many of the tour homes and historic sites across the island.

New in 2024 is the trolley access add-on. This ticket upgrade allows access to step-on/step-off trolleys throughout each day of the tour. Also new this year is expanded History on Tap Dinners. Enjoy a private tour by the homeowner and a specially created dinner cooked by an award-winning chef in a Homes Tour home.

The stories of Galveston’s back alleys, corner stores, new construction, and more all play a part in the ongoing architectural history of the island. The special Homes Tour happy hour showcases some of the hidden gems with a self-guided walking tour featuring live music, small bites, beer and wine, and more.

“The 2024 Historic Homes Tour recognizes many achievements of GHF and our community since 1975,” explains Dwayne Jones, Galveston Historical Foundation’s Executive Director.

“Our tour this year harkens back to the initial tour of 1975, recognizing the diversity of historic buildings and the architectural history that we enjoy every day.”

GHF was formed as the Galveston Historical Society in 1871 and merged with a new organization formed in 1954 as a non-profit entity devoted to historic preservation and history in Galveston County.

Over the last sixty years, GHF has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation, coastal resiliency, and stewardship of historic properties.

Tickets to the Homes Tour are $50 and ticket prices for the other GHF events range in price. Tickets to all events are available online at www.galvestonhistory.org/homestour or by calling 409.765.7834. For a complete list of Homes Tour events visit the GHF website.

A Look Back - The Anchorage

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Today we know the area as the parking lot for the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, but the beachfront area between 2506 - 2620 Seawall was once home to The Anchorage Motor Hotel. When it was completed and opened in 1971, The Anchorage was the center of all beachfront activities overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and was one of the newest beachfront hotels in Galveston. The family owned and operated motor hotel had 141 total rooms.

Each room was designed for solid comfort and featured colorful furnishings, central air conditioning and heating, a color TV, and a private balcony overlooking the Gulf. There were several different types of accommodations, including a honeymoon suite and a VIP suite.

The Anchorage was open year round and featured a coffee shop, dining room, cocktail lounge, and a dinner club for entertainment. The motor hotel also featured a large outdoor swimming pool overlooking the Gulf.

The restaurant opened daily at 7am and was famous for its delicious breakfast specials. The dinner club and lounge were known for featuring live music and during the mid-1970s, a five piece band - the Danny Smith Inc. Group - played top hit music from the 1950s and 1960s to large crowds. It was one of the most popular clubs in town during the 1970s.

According to a quote from the local Galveston newspaper in February 1976, owner Michael A. Loomis stated that the bar featured “every type of drink imaginable from the ordinary to the exotic and had eight lovely cocktail hostesses serving about 7,000 different kinds of drinks.”

Although it was completely new and modern when it opened in 1971, The Anchorage Motor Hotel eventually fell into disrepair and was demolished years before the area where it once stood became a parking lot in 2012.

Galveston's Newest Ventures

A Sweet New Addition to Strand, Pirate Island Granted Liquor License and Nautical Antiques Acquire Unique Shipment

Galveston Island just got a little sweeter. Placeholder image Forever Sweet Candy Shop offers a fun new spin to the island’s downtown shopping district. Kids of all ages will enjoy the selection of classic and not-so-common sweet treats from around the world. The shop offers treats of all kinds, specializing in trending candy, in a vibrant and fun atmosphere.

Shop owners Shlomi Wolraich and Yaniv Noah are no strangers to island commerce. They also own three locations of the smoke, vape, and adult novelty stores Hazy Daze, and several gift shops including 10 Feet Under, Pelican Island, C-LEVEL, and LapaLapa.

Shoppers can expect a mixed offering of fun candies and treats, from your classics to new and trending foods you might see on TikTok or other social media. They also offer packaged candy and sodas from all over the world and fill-your-own bag options.
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Home & Garden

Enjoy inspirational interiors, decorating and gardens from those that help shape Galveston Island style.

Food & Drink

Where to find lunch, brunch, dinner covering casual to fine dining. These places are not afraid to try new things. Hope you're hungry.

Arts & Culture

Beaches aren't all Galveston has to offer. Local theater productions, contemporary art exhibits and other family events that always inspires.