1900 Storm Statue

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Today, September 8, is the anniversary of the Great Storm of 1900 -the perfect day to re-visit the 1900 Great Storm Statue on The Seawall.

The 1900 Storm Memorial Statue was created by Galveston sculptor David W. Moore in memory of the more than 6000 men, women and children who died in the Great Storm of 1900.

The bronze statue, 10 feet in height, was installed at 4800 Seawall Boulevard on the storm’s 100th anniversary in 2000.

On any given day, those walking along The Seawall will stop to take a closer look at this statue and, perhaps, to offer a silent prayer for the thousands who lost their lives on that fateful night in 1900. At times, flowers are left at the base of the statue. When I see them there, I always wonder if they were left by descendants of those who died in the storm or by people, like me, who always become incredibly mournful when thinking about the many, many victims.

Storm of 1900
The Category 4 hurricane is recorded as the deadliest natural disaster the history of the United States.

The hurricane came ashore on Galveston Island on September 8, 1900 with 134 mile-per-hour winds and 15-feet storm surges. In addition to the enormous loss of life, it leveled took the 7,000 buildings and left 10,000 people homeless.

The disaster ended the Golden Era of Galveston. Potential investors in the city, so alarmed by the ravages of the hurricane, turned to Houston for new opportunities. .