In 1900, Galveston experienced what is still considered the deadliest natural disaster in American history when a category 4 hurricane killed approximately 8,000 people.
"The Saturday of Sept. 8 started off pretty calm, but as the day got going, the water started coming across the island in fairly large quantities," Dwayne Jones, executive director of the Galveston Historical Foundation, told Houston Matters. "You have to remember, Galveston was at sea level. It wasn't raised. ... So, the ability for the water to cross over was not protected (by what) we stand on today, the seawall."
Jones made those remarks while standing on the Galveston Seawall, a raised concrete barrier built in response to the disaster. Construction began in 1902, and the seawall was extended through the 1960s.
At 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, Visit Galveston will be hosting a commemoration of the 1900 storm. As part of the anniversary, organizers are trying to rally more than 8,000 people — corresponding with the number of people estimated to have died in the storm — to line up along the seawall for a “unity event.”
Guinness World Records also will be in attendance to potentially certify a new world record recognizing the seawall as the world's longest walkway at 7.3 miles, according to Visit Galveston.
"We have provided documentation to Guinness so they can review it and determine if indeed the seawall is the longest walkway," said Mary Beth Bassett, the public relations manager for Visit Galveston. "Adjudicators for Guinness World Records will be on hand to present an award, if indeed we have reached that milestone.”
Bassett said that as of late Friday morning, 5,000 people had registered to attend the event, adding that registration is not required to participate.
"So, in the morning, people will gather, they'll line up," she said. "There will be remarks from Galveston Mayor Craig Brown, Commander David Date from the [U.S.] Army Corps of Engineers, the Galveston Historical Foundation spokesperson, and a presentation from Guinness Book of World Records to hopefully give us the award."
The 1900 storm and the subsequent construction of the seawall were a turning point in Galveston's history, Bassett said.
"We have come back as a vital tourism economy, welcoming more than 8 million people every year," she said. "The seawall has served to protect us through many other storms. And as sad and tragic as [the storm was], the city remains vibrant and resilient. ... I think it's a testament to coming back to resurrection."
Houston Public Media’s Michael Hagerty contributed to this report.
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