GALVESTON – On Saturday morning along Seawall Boulevard, crowds gathered as Guinness World Records confirmed Galveston now holds the title for the longest walkway, a 10.3 mile stretch that was built after the 1900 storm.
The celebration came as Galveston marks the 125th anniversary of that storm, which killed more than 8,000 people. It is still the worst natural disaster in American history.
Visit Galveston’s executive director Tony Lyle explained the event’s purpose.
“Monday is the 125th anniversary of the great storm,” said Lyle. “The seawall was built because of that storm and it’s protected Galveston for over a hundred years. So we wanted to just come out and celebrate Galvestonian’s, bring everybody together and celebrate the seawalls.”
Visitors and longtime residents reflected on what the moment meant.
“It feels super cool, super cool to be a part of, especially since it is such like a historical city,” said Courtney Roberts, a recent transplant from Nebraska.
Milla Morales is a Galveston model who showed up for the community.
“It’s amazing. I’ve been on the island for 25 years. I actually live in a Victorian house that survived the 1900 storm,” said Morales.
Katherine Cox, connected the new record to family stories passed down.
“My great, great aunts rode out the storm at the convent,” said Cox. “I’m excited to commemorate and celebrate because they’re still here in our hearts.”
As the certificate went up and the cheers rolled down the boulevard, organizers reminded the crowd why the gathering mattered: to honor the thousands lost in 1900 and the community that keeps showing up.