For more than 150 years, Galveston has lured visitors to its Gulf waters and multitude of events. As a follow-up to authors Christine Ruiz Hopkins and Heidi Lutz’s 100 Things to Do in Galveston Before You Die, this book highlights the lesser-known facts and folklore of Galveston’s quirkier side.

Some stories are part of popular sites on the island, but many are off the beaten path. For example, a store on The Strand sells antique glass eyes. The Miss Universe Pageant traces its roots to an island pageant. The only US submarine to sink a Japanese ship involved in the attack on Pearl Harbor is open for tours
in Galveston.

These and others are showcased in Secret Galveston: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure. Read these legends, lore, and history, then plan your own trip to Galveston to see what has attracted people to the island since the days of Jean Lafitte.