Step Up to The Strand: The Hidden Story Behind Galveston’s Tall Curbs
A closer look at how floodwater, carriages, and island resilience shaped one of Galveston’s quirkiest features.
Spend a few minutes walking around Historic Downtown Galveston, and you’re bound to notice something unusual—the curbs. They’re tall. Like, really tall. So tall, in fact, that many have built-in steps just to help pedestrians get from the street to the sidewalk.
Locals have their own theories. Some say the roads have sunk over time. Others claim the elevated curbs were built to help with flooding—or make it easier to climb in and out of horse-drawn carriages. Turns out? They’re all onto something.
Let’s step back in time.
A City Built on Sand and Grit
Flooding has always been part of life on Galveston Island—whether from hurricanes or heavy downpours. In the early days of the East End, city planners had a simple solution: build taller curbs. By raising the sidewalks just a bit higher than the flood-prone streets, residents could walk dry even during the wettest weather.
But then came The 1900 Storm, the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. It changed everything.
When the stormwaters receded, the island was faced with a massive challenge—and a rare opportunity. There was the chance to rebuild from the ground up, literally.
The Great Raising of Galveston
In one of the most ambitious civil engineering projects of its time, Galveston was lifted. Entire homes, businesses, streets—even trolley tracks—were elevated as much as 17 feet. And with that lift came a chance to redesign how the city handled water.
Knowing flooding would always be a concern, engineers kept the extra-tall curbs. But this time, they had another purpose in mind: carriage steps.
In the early 1900s, horse-drawn carriages were the rideshare of the day. Most businesses and homes had dedicated steps to help passengers climb in and out gracefully. Instead of making each property build their own, the city used the high curbs as a built-in amenity—practical, smart, and cost-effective.
The Legacy Beneath Your Feet
Today, those “knee-high” curbs serve as a quirky photo op, a curious obstacle for modern pedestrians—and a tangible reminder of Galveston’s layered past.
They reflect the island’s ability to adapt, rebuild, and innovate—turning even the curbs into a story worth stepping into.
So next time you find yourself lifting your leg just a little higher on The Strand, know that you’re walking on history.
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This article first appeared in Island Soul, Galveston’s official visitor guide.
