Welcome to the historic Tremont House , a legendary hotel that has played a significant role in Galveston's rich history . The Tremont House is a Galveston institution that dates back to 1839 .
Noted moments in the Tremont timeline include Sam Houston delivering his last public address , cotton merchants haggling over deals and Native American chiefs sampling southern cuisine In the Tremont halls . Men and women came to dance at grand balls and soldiers from three wars returned to homecoming banquets .
The Tremont House we know today is the third iteration bearing the name . The original Tremont House was built the same year . The city of Galveston was officially founded , 1839 . It was one of the island's most fashionable destinations .
The hotel opened with a grand ball commemorating the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto , which secured independence for Texas from Mexico . The opening celebration was attended by esteemed guests who paid $50 in Texas currency or $25 in gold for a ticket .
The stylish two-story building was the grandest hotel in the Republic of Texas , located at the corner of Post Office and Tremont Street . The first 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 .
On April 19 , 1861 , general Sam Houston delivered a poignant address from the hotel's north gallery . Cautioning against the horrors of joining the Civil War , he prophesied that the South's secession efforts would result in devastation . During the Civil War , confederate , then Union soldiers made a home in the hotel .
This landmark hotel was the center of social life on Galveston Island and Texas for over 26 years . In June of 1865 , the Bell of the South , the Tremont House , succumbed to a great fire that raged in the Strand District for days and destroyed entire city blocks in the downtown district . For more than five years the beloved landmark lay in ruins .
But the spirit of Galveston is eternal and several of Galveston Island's business leaders organized the company to build a new hotel on the ashes of the old . This grand new Tremont House was a magnificent four-story structure that rivaled the South's grandest attractions .
Noted architect Nicholas Clayton designed the hotel and later went on to design many of Galveston's most prominent and beautiful buildings . The second Tremont House opened in 1872 and attracted dignitaries and the elite from around the world . Its ads touted being the only hotel in Galveston with a passenger elevator .
In 1900 , a devastating hurricane barreled across the Gulf of Mexico and straight into Galveston Island . It is estimated that between 6,000 and 8,000 people were killed in this tragic nightmare and the island was left in ruins . As Galveston's post-storm economy slipped into depression , the once grand hotel faded into a shadow of her former glory .
The second Tremont House was condemned and ultimately demolished in 1928 . The legendary hotel was destined to rise again in a new location . In 1981 , george and Cynthia Mitchell acquired the Leon and H Bloom building and transformed it into the third Tremont House .
The 1879 building , formerly a dry goods warehouse office building , is now a romantic hotel that captures the spirit and elegance of its predecessors . When the hotel opened in 1985 , it was the first major hotel to open in downtown Galveston in 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 . The present Tremont House stands as a testament to Galveston's enduring spirit and rich history , offering guests a glimpse into the grandeur of the past .
With its storied legacy , iconic architecture and timeless charm , this hotel continues to welcome visitors from around the world , ensuring that the legacy of the Tremont House lives on for generations to come .