August 20, 2025
Of all the amazing milestones that the port has celebrated in my seven years as port director, the 200th anniversary is the most exciting by far. After more than a year of planning, we’re counting down the days to the port’s anniversary date.
The Port of Galveston was established by a proclamation issued by the Congress of Mexico on Oct. 17, 1825, when the land known today as Texas belonged to Mexico. The port has operated as the Galveston Wharves since 1940, when it became a city utility.
Thanks to the generous support of dozens of sponsors, we’re hosting a free community celebration on Pier 21 Friday, Oct. 17, followed by a gala fundraiser on Oct. 18. Net proceeds will fund maritime scholarships at Texas A&M University at Galveston.
The Galveston Wharves is also publishing a 140-page, hardcover book in collaboration with Galveston Historical Foundation. Filled with rare historical images, the limited-edition book recounts the Port of Galveston’s fascinating 200-year history of pirates, naval battles, riches, and resilience. The book will be released at the gala, with guests receiving a copy of the commemorative book. It also will be sold after the October release date at www.portofgalveston200.com.
Free Party on the Pier
The port’s Party on the Pier presented by Royal Caribbean kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17, at Pier 21 with live music, a drone show, a pirate costume contest, a food court, and giveaways.
During the aerial display at 9 p.m., a fleet of 400 drones will animate the story of the port’s history. The pirate contest is a nod to the earliest mariners on Galveston Harbor, including fabled pirate Jean Lafitte, who lived on the island in the early 1800s.
Reserve Your Gala Seat
The celebration continues on Saturday, Oct. 18, with a formal evening of dinner and dancing at the Port of Galveston’s 200th Anniversary Gala presented by Carnival 6 p.m. at the Galveston Island Convention Center. The gala will also celebrate Carnival’s 25th anniversary as the first cruise line to homeport in Galveston.
The evening will begin with a cocktail reception with hosted bar. Cadets in the Hearn Honor Guard from Texas A&M University at Galveston will perform the Saber Arch as honorees are announced before dinner, catered by the San Luis Hotel.
The program will include the debut of a port history video and a scholarship check presentation. After dinner, Callan Marine will present the 10-member party band Manhattan to get everyone dancing.
It will be a wonderful evening benefiting a worthy cause – training the next generation of maritime professionals through the scholarship fund. Graduates from Texas A&M’s marine and maritime programs have worked on Galveston Harbor for decades and are critical to our success.
As the Port of Galveston marks its 200th anniversary, we dedicate this celebration to the generations of waterfront workers and business and community leaders who transformed the natural harbor of the early 1800s into the multi-billion-dollar revenue and jobs generator that it is today.
By Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO
