Murdochs

in
murdocks4.jpg
dsc_0746.jpg

Murdochs, located at 2215 Seawall Blvd., is the largest and most popular souvenir shop in Galveston. It is open seven days a week, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

It was built in the sand of the Gulf, on piers, in the 1800s, before the construction of The Seawall. Originally, it was a bathhouse, where island visitors could rent bathing suits and take showers.

Murdochs, with no protection from an angry sea, was destroyed by The Great Storm of 1900. It was rebuilt in 1901, but reconstruction has been required again and again - following additional violent storms in 1909, 1915 and 2008.

Today, Murdochs’ customers climb up one of two staircases to enter one of two entrances leading into one of two large showrooms, both filled with all things “beach.” There are souvenir shirts and hats, sunglasses and sandals, coffee mugs, shells of every shape and size, and hundreds of other coastal trinkets and decor items, The showroom on the west side features a bar-like, refreshment stand offering a variety of child- and adult-friendly beverages and snacks.

Connecting the two showrooms is a long covered porch, complete with dozens of big white Adirondeck chairs Often, I go there to watch waves roll onto the shore below or seagulls soaring high above. Always, there is an endless breeze that cools my skin and warms my soul.

Hanging out on the beach below Murdochs is a treat too. On any given day, you will see families or groups of friends gathering there to enjoy the sand and surf - and shade!