The City of Galveston, Texas' 1890 Water Line: A History and Study of Its Rehabilitation

In 1890, Galveston, Texas, was a lively, booming, prosperous seaport with a population of more than 23,000. Being one of the richest ports in the country, Galveston was Texas's gulf coast jewel. With economy and prosperity came popularity, and more and more people were moving to the Island. As development increased, so did the need for the proper infrastructure to support it. Since then, the water supply has been piped to Galveston via large cast iron water lines stretching (under the Galveston Intracoastal Waterway) from the Texas mainland to Galveston Island. Back in 1890, states were still allowed to regulate all construction within their waterways regardless of how it interfered with waterway navigation. In an attempt to support trade, Congress passed the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 to give the United States Army Corps of Engineers authority over all construction within navigable waterways, including the power to demand the removal of any abandoned or out of service pipelines. This paper will the detail the story of a 100 year old water line from the time it served Galveston during its peak boom years to today, where it lies abandoned and currently serves as the focal point of a local and federal debate over its future existence. This is an outline of the history of the waterline, an explanation of the conflict over its abandonment, and a contemplation of its future and significance.