Lindsay Graham

Nearly two-thirds of the city's properties were destroyed, telegraph power and electrical lines were down, and the bridges were gone.

This hurricane remains one of the worst natural disasters in American history, an absolute catastrophe, but also a catalyst for resurrection and reform, according to today's guest, Dr. Patricia Bixle.

She's a retired history professor from the Maine Maritime Academy.

Bixel co-authored Galveston and the 1900 Storm, Catastrophe and Catalyst with Elizabeth Hayes Turner.

Our conversation is next.

Dr. Patricia Bixall, thanks so much for joining us on American History Tellers.

Thanks for having me.

So let's start with Galveston before the storm.

At the turn of the century in 1900, the port had a population of about 38,000.

It had a good natural harbor.

Wharves moved cotton, food, and raw materials.

It was a busy place.

And you write that Galveston was vibrant and cosmopolitan.

If we were to walk around the streets of the city during the first week of September 1900, what might we have seen?

But it was vulnerable to flooding, and the people of Galveston knew that.

Many built their houses on pilings.

They still do.

Yes, that's very true.

I travel to Galveston almost every year on vacation.

But did Galveston's leaders ever consider protecting the city in some way?