Galveston's Pelican Island

Pelican Island History

Pelican Island's history is rich, spanning two centuries. It started as a narrow windswept sand dune. During the Civil War, it was home to a small fort and later housed an immigration station, shipyard, and fish and oyster business. In 1965, Galveston businessman, George Mitchell, purchased a large piece of land and donated it to Texas A&M University. Today it’s a fantastic place to experience more of the natural beauty of Galveston and learn about some interesting US, Texas, and island history.

Directions to Pelican Island

To get to Pelican Island, take the I-45 South to Galveston. Turn left onto 51st Street and continue over the bridge to Pelican Island. Seawolf Parkway is the only street that runs across the island.

Learn about historic WWII vessels when you visit the Galveston Naval Museum, featuring the famous USS Cavalla, which played an important role in military action against the Japanese, as well as the unique USS Stewart. Choose a self-guided tour or sign up for one of the museum’s popular tours. Private tours, group sleepovers, camps, and special events can be organized, on request.