February 2013
| Business World Magazine | 323
came known as “The Free State of Galves-
ton.” The city, however wild or untamed,
became a cultural-mecca in the late 1800’s.
To review a list of those who have graced the
stage of its Grand Opera House (established
in 1894), is like reading a history of the en-
tertainment industry’s most-celebrated su-
perstars of song, dance and the performing
arts. Dramatic, in fact, would fit to describe
other aspects of Galveston’s history. In 1900,
it was the tragic scene of America’s worst na-
tional disaster when a hurricane decimated
the city, claiming thousands of lives in the
process. Other storms would follow, exact-
The Tremont House is located in the
heart of Galvestons historic downtown.