This Texas pier sits on the exact spot where a hurricane wiped out an entire amusement park in 1961

Galveston Historic Pleasure Pier, Texas

The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier stretches 1,130 feet into the Gulf of Mexico at 25th Street and Seawall Boulevard. This massive entertainment spot officially opened to the public on May 26, 2012, after a “soft opening” the day before.

Built where the original Pleasure Pier stood from 1943-1961, the current attraction cost $60 million to build. Galveston-born Tilman Fertitta and his company Landry’s Inc. brought the landmark back to life after decades of changes.

Electric Park Lit Up The Seawall First

Electric Park took up an entire city block between Seawall Boulevard, Avenue Q, 23rd, and 24th Streets in 1906. The park opened to the public on May 27, 1906, following a preview party for guests the night before.

The Aerial Swing was the park’s main draw, with light bulb-covered cables that created a giant strobe effect when spinning. This bright display could be seen far down the seawall.

Workers tore down Electric Park in 1910 during the grade-raising project after the deadly 1900 Storm. This major effort raised much of Galveston’s ground level to stop future flooding.

The Original Pleasure Pier’s Military Beginnings

Plans for a pier at 25th Street faced many delays, with World War I and the Great Depression putting construction on hold for years. Building finally started in the late 1930s after money came through.

The project got funding from a $1.1 million loan from the federal government’s Reconstruction Finance Corporation. The City of Galveston added another $350,000 to finish the job.

Workers completed the original Pleasure Pier in 1943 as a place for United States military personnel to relax during World War II. The pier was built to boost spirits among service members in the area.

The finished structure became known as the largest amusement park of its kind in the country. The pier soon turned into a key part of Galveston tourism.

When Big Bands Played Over The Gulf

The original pier featured a huge structure called the Marine Ballroom where national musical acts performed throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Top dance bands regularly played in this one-of-a-kind venue right above the Gulf of Mexico.

Builders put the Marine Ballroom in the middle of the pier, between the rides at the front and the fishing area at the back. This smart placement gave the best views of the Gulf while keeping visitors sheltered from bad weather.

Couples swayed to live music while looking out at the Gulf of Mexico waters. The mix of sea breezes, music, and stunning views created a feeling unlike any other entertainment spot in Texas.

Movies Under The Stars

The pier had an open-air stadium where people watched movies under the night sky on warm evenings. The outdoor theater sat at the back of the pier, farthest from the seawall.

This special setup offered entertainment with the Gulf of Mexico as a natural backdrop. The sound of waves below added to the magic of outdoor film showings.

The outdoor theater quickly became a favorite evening activity for tourists and locals alike. Families enjoyed the newest movies while feeling the ocean breeze and hearing waves crash beneath them.

Hurricane Carla Wipes Out The Original Pier

On September 11, 1961, Hurricane Carla hit the Texas coast as a Category 4 hurricane with crushing force. The storm spawned two tornados on Galveston Island, adding to the damage across the area.

The hurricane pushed a young CBS reporter named Dan Rather into the national spotlight. Rather broadcast live from the island and showed viewers the first-ever radar image of a hurricane, changing how weather was reported forever.

Weather experts rank Carla among the most powerful storms to ever strike the United States. The hurricane damaged the Pleasure Pier beyond any hope of repair, ending its 18-year run as a popular attraction.

The Flagship Hotel Era Begins

Houston businessman James E. Lyon saw a chance in the hurricane’s aftermath. Lyon cleared what was left of the damaged Pleasure Pier and started building a hotel on the same base.

Four years after Hurricane Carla, the Flagship Hotel opened on the pier site in 1965. The seven-story building stretched over the Gulf with 225 rooms, becoming the first hotel in America built completely over water.

The hotel offered perks like a swimming pool and restaurant with wide Gulf views. Guests could even fish from special areas at the end of the pier, mixing their stay with fun activities.

When Tilman Fertitta Worked As A Lifeguard

Galveston native Tilman Fertitta spent his teen years working as a lifeguard at the Flagship Hotel. Fertitta, born on the island in 1957, later joked that the Flagship was “a magnet for out-of-town girls.”

By the time Fertitta bought the Flagship years later, he had built up an impressive set of properties along Galveston’s Seawall. His holdings included the Rainforest Cafe, the San Luis Resort, and a Landry’s restaurant.

The businessman often credited his island upbringing for his business sense. Fertitta said, “Subliminally, Galveston has had a huge impact on me. I realized how people flock to the water.”

Hurricane Ike Delivers The Final Blow

On September 13, 2008, Hurricane Ike struck near Galveston as a Category 2 hurricane. Tilman Fertitta, who owned 15 properties on the island then, figured his Galveston holdings suffered $10 million in damage from the storm.

Ike badly damaged the already-declining Flagship Hotel, which had fallen into disrepair over decades. The storm left the once-proud structure as a damaged eyesore along the Seawall.

In 2009, Landry’s Inc. told the Galveston city planning commission about their plans to build an amusement park on the pier site. This news marked the start of the property’s shift back to its roots.

Demolition Makes Way For Revival

Workers tore down the damaged Flagship Hotel in 2011 after finding that fixing it would cost more than replacing it. The tricky demolition job took more than a month and a half to finish safely.

Fertitta announced plans for a “pleasure pier” with amusement rides, deliberately returning the pier to its roots from the 1940s-1960s. The project aimed to bring back the magic of the original attraction while adding modern features.

The ambitious developer wanted to create a destination on par with Navy Pier in Chicago and Santa Monica Pier in California. In January 2012, Fertitta formally unveiled plans to rebuild the Pleasure Pier on the site.

The Modern Pleasure Pier Takes Shape

Building the new pier kept the original pier’s concrete structure from the 1940s. Workers strengthened the aging foundation to hold modern rides after decades of exposure to salt water.

The Iron Shark roller coaster became the pier’s star thrill ride, featuring four 360-degree flips with a back section that dramatically hangs over the water. This German-engineered coaster gives riders the feeling of flying over the Gulf.

The Galaxy Wheel ferris wheel stands 100 feet tall with programmable LED lights that light up the night sky. The Texas Star Flyer swing ride soars 230 feet above the Gulf, making it the tallest swing ride in Texas.

Visiting Galveston Historic Pleasure Pier

Located at 2501 Seawall Boulevard in Galveston, Texas, the pier welcomes guests year-round. The attraction offers 16 rides including thrill rides and family attractions good for all ages.

The complex houses Texas’ first Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant & Market, based on the popular film “Forrest Gump.” Stage 25 at the pier hosts live music shows regularly, carrying on the pier’s tradition of entertainment.

Visitors pay an entrance fee to access the pier, with extra costs for riding attractions. The pier runs seasonally with longer hours during summer months and holidays.

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