 The history of Galveston , Texas , begins with the archaeological record of Native Americans who used the island . The first European settlements on the island were constructed around 1816 . The Port of Galveston was established in 1825 by the Congress of Mexico following its successful revolution from Spain . The city served as the main port for the Texas Navy during the Texas Revolution . It was the site of the first major battle of the Texas Revolution in January 1836 , when Mexican forces defeated the Texians and their allies. kwietynski, 12.
The city's economy was dominated by the port and cotton trade until the late