Pier Joy: Galveston's Iconic Pleasure Pier
One of Galveston's premiere amusements is the iconic Pleasure Pier.
Read on to learn a brief history behind this iconic attraction.
History Of Pleasure Pier
Before Pleasure Pier was built in 2012, three other facilities were built at that location:
Electric Park
In 1906, the Galveston Business League's efforts bore fruit when they successfully established their own version of Coney Island along the Seawall. Electric Park, owned by the Electric Park & Amusement Company, opened to the public in May 1906 in the 2300 block of Seawall Boulevard.
The centerpiece of Electric Park was The Aerial Swing, a large swing lighted by hundreds of bulbs which created a stroboscopic kind of effect. Other attractions included the Crab Pavilion, a massive two-story, open-air space with seating and concessions.
Sadly, following the 1910 tourist season, the aerial swing was disassembled, and most of the wooden buildings were torn down in preparation for the grade raising behind the Seawall. One of the few structures that remained was the carousel. It stood until the 1915 Storm. Wind and waves smashed bathhouses and carried their timbers over the Seawall.
The Original Galveston Pleasure Pier
The original iteration of the Galveston Island Pleasure Pier was built in 1943 and was 1130 feet long. It was intended as a recreational facility for US military troops and their families during World War 2. It featured rides, an arcade, an aquarium, concessions, a large ballroom, and fishing spots at the end of the pier.
The Pier was destroyed in 1961 due to the impact of Hurricane Carla.
The USS Flagship Hotel
In 1965, the USS Flagship Hotel was opened. It was built by Houston banker James E. Lyon with 225 rooms. Many in the area have fond memories of the hotel, but unfortunately it was crippled by in 2008.
The Current Pleasure Pier
Landry's Inc. (now owned by Tillman Fertitta who also owns the Houston Rockets) bought the USS Flagship Hotel at the 25th St. Pier. The hotel was demolished in 2011 and the process of building a redesigned Pleasure Pier began.
The new Galveston Pleasure Pier was opened on May 25, 2012.
Feature Rides At Pleasure Pier
There are three signature rides that make up the "skyline" of Pleasure Pier. They're noteworthy for their unique features and spectacular views of the Gulf. Here's a small breakdown of each of those rides:
Texas Star Flyer
The Texas Star Flyer is a 230-foot tall tower which swings riders out over the water using a 200-foot swing.
The Iron Shark
The Iron Shark is a steel roller coaster constructed by Gerstlauer. It's a 100-foot (30 m) tall coaster offering four inversions with a back section cantilevering over the water. It goes up to 52 mph over 1,246 feet of track.
The Galaxy Wheel
The Galaxy Wheel is a 100-foot-tall ferris wheel, featuring programmable LED lights. It has 20 vehicles allowing 6 people per vehicle.
Other notable rides include the Sky Shooter, Pirate's Plunge, the Cyclone, Rock & Roll and the Sea Dragon.
Other Activities At The Pier
If the bigger rides aren't your thing, Pleasure Pier has lots more to do! There are several rides for the kids, a bunch of midway games, and a multi-sensory 5D Theater.
Pleasure Pier is also home to a few eating spots including the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Big Top Bites and Slices & More.
There are many more eating options nearby. You can find them here.
References
Preliminary research for this blog post was done with Claude AI and Leo AI.
Additional references:
- Electric Park, Part 1
- Electric Park: Bedazzling the Beachfront
- The Boardwalk: Galveston’s Historic Pleasure Pier
- The Official Pleasure Pier website
Hopefully you enjoyed this little breakdown of Galveston's Historic Pleasure Pier! Let us know in the comments below.
Galveston Shirts!
If you enjoy our blog, please consider supporting us by getting one of our classic Galveston shirts!
