1840 Central Wharf Historical Marker

Galveston’s Wild Project: 200 Years of the Port

The Port of Galveston’s story began in 1805 with the birth of Michel B. Menard near Montreal. A fur trader turned visionary, Menard dreamed of building a great port city on Galveston Island—a dream he called “that wild project of Galveston.” Backed by a Mexican land grant, he laid the foundation for a thriving hub of trade and immigration.

By the late 1830s, Galveston was a booming commercial center. Though Menard died in 1856, his legacy endured through hurricanes, wars, and economic shifts. The devastating 1900 hurricane led to a legendary recovery effort, including a 10-mile seawall and massive elevation project that made engineering history. Meanwhile, dredging opened the harbor to large ships, helping Galveston earn the nickname “Ellis Island of the West.”

Cruising began in the 1970s and took off in 2000 when Carnival Cruise Line made Galveston a homeport. Today, it’s the fourth-busiest cruise port in the U.S., serving nearly 1.5 million passengers annually, with new terminals and global cruise lines continuing to expand.

At the heart of it all is the central hub of the Port, located in historic downtown Galveston. This vibrant waterfront area features Cruise Terminals 25 and 28, bustling Pier 21, popular restaurants, attractions, and the Harbor House Hotel—all just steps from the city’s walkable historic district.

Now celebrating 200 years, the Port of Galveston remains a vital gateway for commerce, cruising, and culture—proof that Menard’s wild idea was anything but.