Mardi Gras Parade

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This morning, a group of my friends and I (The Mermaids) gathered at Salas Mexican Restaurant on The Seawall for an early lunch and, afterwards, to walk outside and watch our favorite Mardi Gras festivity, the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius’ annual Kick Off Parade.

We love that the parade is held in the middle of the day - not too early, not too late. We love that the parade takes place along on The Seawall, with the Gulf of Mexico as its backdrop. We love the floats and marching bands. We love the wild and crazy costumes of the participants.

Always, we watch the parade with our arms waving wildly, hoping against all hope that the bead-throwers will notice us enthusiastic spectators and be generous givers of their purple, green and gold Mardi Gras beads.

We love this parade because the Mystic Krewe of Aquarius never disappoints.

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About the Krewe
The Mystic Krewe of Aquarius, organized in March 1985, is the second oldest Mardi Gras social organization in Galveston, formed after the revival of Mardi Gras on Galveston Island in 1984.

The all-volunteer crew is a non-profit, fraternal organization. Aquarians design and construct all floats for both Krewe of Aquarius sponsored parades: the Kick Off Parade and the Fat Tuesday Parade. Members also design their own costumes and buy all their own throws and decorations. Other activities of the Krewe include its Ball and Barn Bash, plus the Children’s Parade and the Galveston 4th of July Night Parade on The Seawall.

Tremont House

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My affection for The Tremont House in Galveston began ia long time ago - in February 1984 - when I walked into its elegant lobby for the first time. I was there to enjoy a full evening of Mardi Gras festivities - a night parade, an elaborate dinner and a much-anticipated Mardi Gras Ball.

In the years since, I have been to The Tremont House many times, with many people and for many reasons. Always, I think of my first experience at The Tremont House and, at the same time, remember fondly the many other great experiences.

As much as I have long adored The Tremont House, it wasn’t until I purchased The Bungalow last year, that I became extraordinarily curious about the story of this beloved downtown hotel. So, as I always do when curious, I started searching for the facts.

Original Tremont House
The original Tremont House was built in 1839, the same year the city of Galveston was founded. Located at the corner of Postoffice and Tremont streets, the sturdy two-story building was the largest and finest hotel in the Republic of Texas.

In June 1865, a devastating fire burned for days in downtown Galveston and destroyed several city blocks. Sadly, the Tremont House stood in its path and, after the burning, lay in ruins for five years.

Second Tremont House
Finally, a new Tremont House was built. The grand, four-story structure was designed by noted architect Nicholas Clayton, who would later design many of Galveston’s most distinguished buildings. When it opened in 1872, the hotel rivaled the grandest attractions in the South.

The new Tremont House drew visitors from across the world. Six future or sitting American presidents and the foreign ministers of France and England are recorded in her guest ledgers.

Noted moments in the Tremont timeline include Sam Houston delivering his last public address; Cotton merchants haggling over deals, and Sioux chiefs sampling Southern cuisine. In The Tremont halls, Victorians came to dance at grand balls, and soldiers from three wars returned to homecoming banquets. This landmark was a center of the social life on Galveston Island and in Texas for 26 glorious years. 

But, sadly, the 1900 Hurricane and the Great Depression, were disasters the Tremont House couldn’t overcome. In 1928, the beloved, but decaying hotel was condemned and demolished.

Third Tremont House
On a visit Savannah in 1972, Cynthia and George Mitchell learned about an innovative preservation program that had been established there; it included a revolving fund for buying and reselling endangered properties. The couple dispatched the Galveston Historical Foundation to study Savannah's achievements and to adapt them to Texas. As a result, contributions from local foundations helped establish a revolving fund for Galveston that has, to die, saved over 30 buildings. 

Mitchell also helped recruit Peter Brink, formerly with the National Trust of Historic Preservation, to lead the Galveston Historical Foundation and The Strand revitalization. Brink persuaded the Mitchells to purchase their first building, the 1871 Thomas Jefferson League Building, and restore it for retail space and offices.

In 1981, the Mitchells purchased the 1879 Leon & H. Blum Building, a former dry goods facility, and had it transformed into the third Tremont House.

When the new Tremont House opened in 1982, it was the first hotel to open in downtown Galveston in more than 60 years and was a catalyst for the revitalization of Galveston's historic downtown. Its grand opening coincided with the revival of Mardi Gras in Galveston and was commemorated with a grand Mardi Gras Ball which continues today. 

Today, the Tremont House is managed by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC and is owned by the Cynthia and George Mitchell family as part of Mitchell Historic Properties.

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1888 Toujouse Bar
A popular gathering spot for locals and tourists to Galveston is the lobby of The Tremont House. It features a beautiful, hand-carved rosewood bar that dates to 1888. The bar is named for Henry Toujouse, an immigrant from France, who worked at this bar and, later, owned it. The bar was originally located at the Opera House Saloon, situated in the basement of The Tremont Opera House at Tremont and Market streets.