Our Grand History
Since 1911, the hotel has a long and storied history as a treasured vacation, wedding and event destination for visitors from Texas and the surrounding states.
Established By History
Grand Galvez has pleased guests worldwide for more than 100 years. Our AAA 4-Diamond property is the only historic beachfront hotel on the Texas Gulf Coast and renowned as one of the finest Galveston hotels on the beach.
1785
Bernardo de Galvez discovers Bahia de Galvezton (Galveston Island)
1839
City of Galveston is incorporated
1890
Galveston, Texas is known to be one of the richest ports in the country
1900
The Great Storm, beginning on September 8, devastates Galveston, which takes years to recover.
1901
Texas State Legislature. approves act for the construction of a seawall
1902
Part of the hurricane recovery process includes a long seawall, started this year and completed in 1960 at 10.4 miles long.
1906
Original Pleasure Pier Amusement and the electric rail trolleys are in operation
1910
The Galveston Hotel Company announces plans for a new year-round beach hotel to take the place of the seasonal Beach Hotel, which had burned in 1898.
Construction of the Hotel Galvez is launched the same year to help restore Galveston’s reputation as a tourist destination.
1911
On June 10 at 6:00 p.m., the Grand Galvez, the first fire proof hotel, opens.
1915
Another hurricane hits Galveston, but the new seawall helps spare the Galvez.
1918
The hotel welcomes 40,000 guests at a daily rate of $2.
1920
Galveston Island debuts Splash Day, a bathing girl review event (U.S. contestants)
1926
International Pageant of Pulchritude May 15–17 Bathing Costume Parade occurs on May 16th
1928
The Baker Corporation purchases the Galvez for $1 million and undertakes a modernization program.
1931
Ike Kempner and his partners, the original backers, repurchase the hotel.
1937
President Franklin D. Roosevelt makes the Galvez his official Summer White House while he fishes offshore on his yacht, the U.S.S. Potomac.
1940
W. L. Moody Jr. and his National Hotel Corporation purchase the hotel from the Kempner group and undertake new renovations. A swimming pool is added, along with a modern motel on the hotel’s east end and the members-only Galvez Club.
1942-44
The U.S. Coast Guard commandeers the Galvez and uses it as its wartime headquarters for the next two years, including as staff living space.
1957
The Galveston rackets are closed down in an island-wide raid on gambling casinos.
1961
Hurricane Carla hits on September 11th (the largest hurricane to hit Texas coast in history)
September 12th, tornados strike seawall & cut north to the Galveston County Courthouse (destroying 120 buildings)
1965
Galvez is closed for renovations. This is the last we will see of Peacock Alley until 2021
1971
Moody sells the Galvez for $1 million to its fourth owner, Harvey McCarty, the first owner with no ties to Galveston, who partnered with Leon Bromberg, a BOI.
1978
Denton Cooley purchases the hotel and initiates another major renovation in 1979
1979
Galvez reopens under new owner, the Mariner Corporation and new name “Galvez Marriott”.
The National Register of Historic Places adds the hotel to its list of significant landmarks.
1983
During Hurricane Alicia some guests take refuge at the Galvez, which reopens the next year after significant damage is repaired.
1988
Galvez is sold at an auction after declaring bankruptcy; sold to Aetna Life Insurance Company
1993
Mitchell Historic Properties purchases the hotel from Aetna for $3 million and undertakes a $20 million upgrade that restores the public spaces to recall their 1911 appearance.
1996
Wyndham International is retained to manage and operate the Galvez as part of the Wyndham’s group of premier historic hotels, called Wyndham Grand Hotels.
2002
The Galvez becomes a member of the Historic Hotels of America, a consortium sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
2005
A second renovation of the hotel, directed by the Mitchells’ daughter Sheridan Mitchell Lorenz of Austin, removes heavy drapes obscuring the Gulf views and restores the windows on the lobby level to their original appearance. Fabrics and carpets were also updated; the Oleander Garden was launched; and planning was begun for the hotel’s first spa.
2008
The Spa at the Hotel Galvez opens in the space originally occupied by the hotel’s barbershop and drugstore.
September 8th Hurricane Ike hits flooding the spa & complete lower level of the hotel; hotel closes for repairs
2009
Hotel reopens
2011
The Queen of the Gulf observes it centennial with events throughout the year. Activities include a Spanish cultural evening celebrating the birthday of Bernardo de Gálvez, a mass wedding vow renewal for former guests who were married at the hotel, outdoor concerts, and fireworks.
2018
Wyndham management modernizes hotel lobby & overnight guest rooms
2021
May 14th, the Wyant Family purchases Galvez and renames her majesty “Grand Galvez”
August 23rd, construction plans totaling $31 million begin and demolition begins with Peacock Alley
2022
Lobby renovations competed in June 2022
2023
Complete guest room, pool and suites renovations & transition to Marriott Autograph Collection Property
