Galveston’s famous Mardi Gras celebration has become one of the most anticipated Texas events of the year, welcoming thousands of people to join in the revelry and celebrate local culture and history. While many locals can’t imagine a time when Mardi Gras wasn’t a major Galveston event, it was actually wiped from the yearly calendar from the onset of World War II.
Thankfully, with the help of local entrepreneur and philanthropist George Mitchell, the treasured tradition has been reestablished as a fixture in the Galveston community—and a permanent tribute to his efforts is still one of the most popular highlights of the city’s historic downtown district.
The Galveston Fantasy Arches
In the late 1980s, the Mitchells commissioned a project called Fantasy Arches for Mardi Gras, inspired by the architectural arches erected to celebrate Saengerfest in 1800s Galveston. Several architects took on the task of putting their own creative spin on the iconic historic structures, creating a series of arches throughout downtown that attracted viewers from all over the country. The names and descriptions of the Arches are as follows:
The Aldo Rossi Arch
True to his fantastical style and imaginative approach to architecture, Aldo Rossi designed a Fantasy Arch that incorporated four pillars painted in unmistakable red and white stripes at Strand and 25th Street.
The Boone Powell Arch
Taking visual inspiration from Galveston’s past as a major seaport city, the Boone Powell Arch combines pennants, rigging, and masts for a nautical-themed structure located at Mechanic and 24th Street. This is the only arch that still stands today.
The Cesar Pelli Arch
Angular and monochromatic, the Cesar Pelli version of a Fantasy Arch almost gave the impression of a construction project in its early stages, adding a contemporary touch to the downtown streets at 21st Street and Mechanic.
The Charles Moore Arch
With a design that harkened back to storybook fantasies and children’s favorite tales, the Charles Moore Arch gave the impression of a magical playhouse rising above at 21st Street and Post Office.
The Eugene Aubry Arch
Perhaps the modern art-esque of all the Fantasy Arches, the Eugene Aubry Arch stood at 22nd Street and Strand, stunning viewers with its innovative folds and larger-than-life fish sculpture.
The Helmut Jahn Arch
The Helmut Jahn Arch was established at 25th Street and Strand, gracefully rising above the intersection with its slim spires and fascinating arrangements of rigging.
The Michael Graves Arch
Architect Michael Graves elected to design a massive, four-legged arch, perhaps a reflection of the old adage, “Everything is bigger in Texas.” His towering arch was crowned with a metalwork pediment, decorated with a symbolic lone star standing at Strand and 23rd Street.
The Stanley Tigerman Arch
Heroes of the celebrated Texas revolution were the focus of the arch crafted by Stanely Tigerman, memorialized in the form of mannequins standing atop the pillars of his steel-clad creation placed on the Strand at 20th Street.
When the project was first dreamed up by the Mitchells, the arches were expected to be dismantled after one month, but they attracted so many visitors to the island, the city left them up for six months instead. Now, decades later, only the Boone Powell Arch remains standing today in downtown Galveston, but the memory and legacy of the Fantasy Arches will live on in the city’s history forever.
Learn More About Everything the Strand Has to Offer
Whether it’s your first visit to historic Galveston or you consider yourself a longtime local, there’s always something new to discover at the Strand.
Hoping to learn more about the highlights of the Strand District and the many great things to do in Galveston? Browse our website and blog for details about upcoming events, featured properties, and so much more.
Leasing & Rentals in Historic Galveston | Mitchell Historic Properties
Historic Galveston
- Blog + Property Highlights + News in Galveston
- Local Events
- Event Venues
- Retail Shops on “The Strand” in Historic Galveston
