Pier 21 Overview | Galveston, Texas

Supporters: The Galveston County Museum

📍Visit our interactive map!

Enjoy this content? Buy me a book! 📚

📱Social and other ways to explore Texas History

Tour with Spotify:
👂Listen:  Texas Navy
👂Listen: 1877 Tall Ship Elissa
👂Listen: Pelican Island 
👂Listen: Ocean Star

Interested in information covered in this episode? Dive deeper into the links below! :
Pier 21
Port of Galveston
Galveston Historic Seaport
Ocean Star Drill rig museum

Contact us: [email protected]

Transcript:
Standing on Pier 21 is one of the best ways to experience the port of Galveston short of hopping on one of those cruise ships. Be on the look out for dolphins! Pier 21 is where the downtown district meets the 200 year old port of Galveston. While standing on Pier 21 looking towards The harbor you can see pelican Island across the ship channel. Pelican Island is mostly man-made from dredge mud pulled from what is now the Houston, Galveston, and Texas City ship channels. A century ago, the east end of what we now know as pelican Island was the location of Galveston‘s immigration quarantine station. Pelican Island is now home to Texas A&M University at Galveston, many Maritime and port related companies, and Galveston Naval Museum on the far east end. While standing on Pier 21 if you look to your west you will see operating docks and shipping operations including the fourth largest cruise terminals in the United States. While looking west, you may be able to spot the masts of the 1877 Tallship Elissa at the Galveston in Historic Seaport. If you look to the east, you Will see the ocean star offshore drilling rig and museum. Behind you on the grass, you will find the official historic marker for the Texas Navy. Be sure to check out some of the exciting dolphin and harbor tours they offer at Pier 21 in front of Willie G‘s seafood. Go roam round pier 21 and explore everything you can see of the port that built Texas 200 years in the making. 

Key Words: Galveston, Texas, History, Island, Beach, cruise, cruise ship, vacation, Henry Rosenberg, Fountains, East End Historic District, Strand, Seawall, Bolivar, Houston, Audio Tour, Audio Guide, Free Tour, Free in Galveston, Pier 21, Port of Galveston, Pelican Island,