1900 Storm Memorial and Galveston Seawall Historical Marker

The 1900 Storm Memorial & Galveston Seawall Historical Marker

Honoring the Lives Lost and the Resilience That Followed

Located along the Galveston Seawall, the 1900 Storm Memorial and the Original Galveston Seawall historical marker commemorate the victims and aftermath of the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history—the catastrophic hurricane that struck Galveston on September 8, 1900. Known as The Great Storm, it claimed the lives of over 8,000 people, devastating the island and leaving a lasting mark on the nation's history.

The bronze memorial sculpture, created by artist David Moore and installed in 2000, serves as a poignant tribute to those who perished and the survivors who rebuilt. Nearby, the historical marker tells the story of Galveston’s extraordinary response. Following the storm, the city undertook one of the largest civil engineering projects of its time: raising the elevation of the entire island and constructing a 17-foot-high concrete seawall to defend against future storms.

Work began in 1902 under the guidance of a board of engineers, including Brig. Gen. Henry M. Robert, author of Robert’s Rules of Order. The original 3.3-mile seawall, completed in 1904, successfully protected Galveston from major storms—including a powerful hurricane in 1915—and has since been extended as the city has grown.

Together, the memorial and marker reflect not only a tragic chapter in American history, but also the strength and resilience of a community that refused to be defined by disaster.