Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
History
The new Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier was built 1,130 feet (340 m) out over the Gulf of Mexico waters. It had its "soft" opening on May 25, 2012.
The new pier complex is located where the original Pleasure Pier stood from 1943 until 1961, when it was destroyed by Hurricane Carla. The original Pleasure Pier featured rides, an arcade, an aquarium, concessions, a large ball room, named the Marine Ballroom, and fishing at the end of the pier. It was also the site of the USS Flagship Hotel, an over-the-water hotel built in 1965 that was demolished after Hurricane Ike in 2008.
Before the renovation there had been almost no maintenance in over 70 years, resulting in the pier having exposed reinforcing steel with accelerated corrosion and concrete spalling at piles, beams, joists, and reflective overhead flat plates. Because of this, extensive structural concrete restoration was needed. Repairs were eventually completed using shotcrete struck and finished in alignment with pre-existing materials making up the pier.
The pier was a filming location for the 2021 comedy-drama Red Rocket.
The pier was also featured in the 2022 animated comedy Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe.
Attractions
Features at the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier include:
- Iron Shark — a steel roller coaster constructed by Gerstlauer, a 100 feet (30 m) tall coaster offering four inversions with a back section cantilevering over the water.
- Sky Shooter — airborne shot ride.
- Texas Star Flyer — swinging riders over the water 230 feet above the Gulf.
- Galaxy Wheel — a 100-foot-tall Ferris wheel, featuring programmable LED lights.
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant.
Current Attractions
| Ride Name | Year Opened | Manufacturer | Ride Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Wheelin' | 2012 | ||
| Carousel | 2012 | Chance Rides | 36' Double Decker Carousel |
| Cyclone | 2012 | Larson International | Fireball |
| Frog Hopper | 2012 | S&S Worldwide | Kiddie Ride |
| Galaxy Wheel | 2012 | Chance Rides | Ferris Wheel Ride |
| Gulf Glider | 2012 | Zierer | Wave Swinger Ride |
| Iron Shark | 2012 | Gerstlauer | Euro-Fighter |
| Lil' Captain Wheel | 2012 | SBF Visa | Kiddie Wheel 6 |
| Pharoah's Fury | 2005 | Chance Rides | Pharoah's Fury |
| Pier Pileup | 2012 | Bertazzon Rides / | Bumper cars |
| Pirate's Plunge | 2012 | Interlink | Log Flume |
| Revolution | 2012 | Chance Rides | Revolution 20 |
| Rock N Roll | 2012 | Bertazzon Rides | Rock-N-Roll Matterhorn |
| Sea Dragon | 2012 | Chance Rides | Pharaoh's Fury Ride |
| Sky Shooter | 2012 | SBF Visa | Airborne Shot 10 |
| Texas Star Flyer | 2012 | FunTime Industries | Star Flyer |
| Texas Tea Cups | 2012 | Zamperla | Tea Cups |
| Wonder Wheel | 2012 | Zamperla | Kiddie Ferris Wheel |
See also
References
- ^ Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. "Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier". Facebook. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ Kaplan, David (January 28, 2012). "Historic Galveston amusement pier to rise again". News Article. Houston Chronicle.
- ^ Aulds, T.J. (January 28, 2012). "Landry's Corp. is close to revealing plans". News Article. Galveston Daily News. Archived from the original on January 31, 2012.
- ^ "Landry's set to unveil Galveston Pleasure Pier plans". News Article. Houston Business Journal. January 28, 2012.
- ^ MacDonald, Brady (February 9, 2012). "Galveston Pleasure Pier brings thrill rides back to Texas coast". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier (May 23, 2012). "HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT..." Facebook. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-08-07. Retrieved 2019-08-07.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Concrete Pier, Shipping Dock & Boat Dock Repair & Restoration | Epoxy Design".
- ^ Shey, Brittanie (2021-10-06). "Houston-Area Restaurants Appear in Trailer for 'Red Rocket,' Lauded Indie Director Sean Baker's Newest Film". Eater Houston. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
- ^ Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier (October 28, 2011). "Construction..." Facebook. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
- ^ "Kiddie Wheel 6". Rides - SBF Rides. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
- ^ "Pleasure returns to Galveston Island". Park World Magazine. 15 March 2012. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- ^ "Bertazzon Rock-N-Roll Matterhorn". www.flatrides.com. Retrieved 2022-09-11.
- ^ "Airborne Shot 10". Rides - SBF Rides. Retrieved 2022-09-11.