The Legacy Of The Tremont House

Welcome to the historic Tremont House, a legendary hotel that has played a significant role in its rich history. The Tremont House is a Galveston institution that dates to 1839. The Tremont House we know today is the third iteration bearing the name. The original Tremont House, built in 1839, the same year Galveston was officially founded, 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, 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 civil war. He prophesied that the South's secession efforts would result in "fire and rivers of blood."

The American Civil War

General John Bankhead Magruder

Civil War | United States Colored Troops

The Battle of Galveston | 1863

During the Civil War, Confederate, then Union soldiers made a home in the hotel. 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 social life on Galveston Island and Texas for 26 years. In June 1865, the belle of the South, The Tremont House, succumbed to a great fire that raged in the Strand District for days and destroyed entire city blocks. For more than five years, the beloved landmark lay in ruins. But the Spirit of Galveston is eternal, and several of the island's business leaders organized a company to build a new hotel on the ashes of the old.

The 1872 Tremont Hotel

The second Tremont House Hotel

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 with a passenger elevator.

The 1900 Storm

In 1900, a devastating hurricane barreled across the Gulf of Mexico and straight into the island. It is estimated that between 6,000 and 8,000 souls passed in this tragic nightmare, and the island was left in ruins. As the 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 Tremont House Hotel Rises Once Again

The legendary hotel was destined to rise again in a new location. In 1981, George and Cynthia Mitchell acquired the Leon & H. Blum 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 sixty 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.

George and Cynthia Mitchell

The Tremont House Today

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 historic hotel continues to welcome visitors from around the world, ensuring that the legacy of the Tremont House lives on for generations to come.