statute of man feeding the sea gulls next to the water with fog background
Legends, Stories, & History

How Haunted is Galveston, Texas?

statute of man feeding the sea gulls next to the water with fog background

Galveston, Texas is considered one of the most haunted cities in the United States. And the Tremont House Hotel in Galveston, Texas is known to be one of many haunted establishments.  During our lovely stay at the hotel, we experienced what we think to be our own paranormal activity.

►Ghosts of Galveston Book: https://amzn.to/2X0P60C

The Great Hurricane

The Island of Galveston is considered to be one of the most haunted destinations in the United States. You would be hard pressed to find someone from Galveston Island that does not have a ghost story to tell. The island is a place that we feel is the one of the most haunted cities in the nation. Between pirates, the Civil War, and devastating hurricanes the city has seen its share of misfortunes. But the 1900 hurricane is one that left the biggest echo on the citizens and buildings.

The Great Galveston Hurricane. Also known as the Great Storm of 1900. Is considered the deadliest natural disaster and hurricane in United States history. And the 4th deadliest Atlantic hurricane overall. This weather event is estimated to have killed 6000 to 12000 people. The numbers vary due to records and post events.

Recommenced book: Ghosts of Galveston

Men cleaning up rumble from the 1900 Galveston hurricane. In black and white.
Clean up after the Great Storm of 1900
Tilted 2 story house after hurricane. In black and white
House after the Great Storm of 1900

During the event, a 10-foot ocean surge engulfed the island. Lucky residents made their way into the tall concrete structures in and around the Strand. Which is the downtown main street area. As people and bodies floated by these tall buildings, they were rescued by being pulled into the widows by others who had seek refuge on the 3th and 4th floors. They huddled together through the night. While the living resided on one side of the room. And the dead on the other.   

While researching my family heritage, I discovered that my family was in Galveston during the 1900 hurricane. Both my 2x great grandparents were living in Galveston at the time. This is a passage that I believe is about them.

…when their home went to pieces, members of the Stubbs family — husband, wife, and two children — climbed upon the roof of a house floating by. They felt tolerably secure. Without warning the roof parted in two pieces. Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs were separated. Each had a child. The parts of the raft went different ways in the darkness. One of the children fell off and disappeared. Not until Sometime Sunday was the family reunited. Even the child was saved, having caught a table and clung to it until it reached a place of safety…”

I believe this passage is about my 2x great grandparents James Stubbs and Elizabeth Fletcher Stubbs. And the two young children were their visiting grandson Jesse White and a guest from Missouri. Both thirteen years of age. I have based this information on the 1900 census taken in June 1900. The census recorded that these four were living in the James Stubbs household. The hurricane occurred the following September of 1900.

In the book “A Biographical History of Central Kansas,” written in 1902, I found the following passage.

 …They are now living in Galveston, Texas, and at the time of the memorable inundation there Mrs. Stubbs saved her life only by crawling on her hands and knees a long distance to a place of safety…”

For years, I thought this was referencing a flood in Kansas. But after finding my 2x great grandparents Stubbs and 3x great grandfather James Fletcher in the 1900 Galveston census, the light bulb went on in my head. Putting pieces, together I realized they were all there during this disaster. And that they all survived.

I was so relieved to find that my family were not amougst the dead that were taken out to sea on a barge. Then pushed off into the water. These victims soon floated back to the shores of Galveston beach. Only to put in a pile and set a blazed like so many others deceased victims.

A Biographical History of
Central Kansas, Volume 1

Old picture of the several members of the fletcher stubbs family.
The Fletcher – Stubbs Family
Stairwell of the Tremont House Hotel
Couches in the Tremont House Hotel lobby
Tremont House Lobby

The Tremont House Hotel

While in Galveston we had the pleasure of staying in the beautiful and historic Tremont House Hotel on 2300 Mechanic Street. Not only does this building have a rich history. But it is the third incarnation of the hotel. All located in different spots.

The first Tremont opened in 1839, before Texas was part of the United States. This first Tremont was located on Post Office Street. But unfortunately, it burnt to the ground in the summer of 1865.

The second Tremont, open on the corner of 24th and Church Street.  It was considered a grand hotel of the Old South.

The third and present incarnation of the Tremont House was built in the mid-1880s as the Leon & H. Blum Co. Building. Which was the leading Galveston dry goods importer for over 20 years. This present building is a survivor of the 1900 Galveston Great Hurricane. The hurricane decimated the Island of Galveston and Strand area where the hotel now sits.

The present building has a long history. During the depression of the 1890s, the Leon & H. Blum Company dissolved. Shortly after that, building served as Mistrot & Bros., which was large department store until 1917. Then after sitting vacant for many years the building was taken over by the Galveston Tribune newspaper.

Paranormal Activity

Guest of the Tremont have experienced unexplained paranormal activity. And some of this activity is believed to be caused by storm victims of the 1900 storm. According to guests and staff, unexplained paranormal activity kicks up whenever there is a storm, thunder and lightning, or wind. It is reported that the 3rd and 4th floors have the most paranormal activity. This reported activity includes knocking, ceiling fans switching on and off, shadow figures, moaning and crying. In addition, lights being turned on and off while guest are asleep; televisions going on and off randomly in both occupied and unoccupied rooms.

A Must Stay

Today, the Tremont House is a marvelous boutique hotel that has combined the original Leon & Blum building with the old Belmont Hotel next door. The Belmont as acted as a boarding house at one time. The entire hotel now takes up an entire block on Mechanic Street and half of the block across Mechanic street.

We highly recommend staying at the Tremont. We enjoyed our stay and would stay there again and again.  Lodging in Galveston click here

Looking down into the lobby atrium of the Tremont House Hotel.
Lobby of the Tremont House Hotel

I encourage you to read the following book about the historic Galveston cemetery. More books about Galveston below videos. Purchase Book Click here: Galveston’s Broadway Cemetery

Do not miss our videos about our paranormal experiences at
the Tremont House Hotel

For the best viewing experience, open videos in YouTube.

Recap of the Tremont House Hotel and the Great Galveston Hurricane
The complete story of our haunted experience in Galveston, Texas

►Colorado Martini’s Store Front: https://www.amazon.com/shop/coloradomartini

Ghost of Galveston Book
By Kathleen Maca

A Biographical History of
Central Kansas, Volume 1

Galveston’s Broadway Cemetery

100 Things to do in Galveston
Before You Die

Galveston A History of
The Island

Galveston’s Historic Downtown
and Strand District

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