Galvatraz (Galveston nickname)

“Galvatraz” (Galveston + Alcatraz) is a nickname for the city of Galveston that’s been used since at least 2000. Both Galveston and Alcatraz are islands; perhaps, to some people living in Galveston, life can be comparable to a prison such as Alcatraz.
   
 
Wikipedia: Galveston, Texas
Galveston (pronounced /ˈgælvəstən/) is a city and the seat of Galveston County located along the Gulf Coast region in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. As of the 2005 U.S. Census estimate, the city had a total population of 57,466. Galveston is accessible by a causeway linking Galveston Island to the mainland on the north end of the city, a toll bridge on the western end of the island, and by ferry boat service on the east end of the city.
 
Galveston is known for its historic neighborhoods and a ten-mile (16 km) long, 17 foot high seawall designed to protect the city from floods and hurricane storm surge.
 
The city houses many tourist attractions. The attractions include the Galveston Schlitterbahn waterpark, Moody Gardens, the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, the Lone Star Flight Museum, a downtown neighborhood of historic buildings known as “The Strand,” many historical museums and mansions, and miles of beach front. The Strand plays host to a yearly Mardi Gras festival, Galveston Island Jazz & Blues Festival, Texas Beach Fest, Lone Star Bike Rally, and a Victorian-themed Christmas festival called “Dickens on the Strand” (honoring the works of novelist Charles Dickens, especially A Christmas Carol) in early December. Galveston is also home to the Balinese Room, a historic nightclub, formerly a notorious illegal gambling hall, located on a 600-foot (200 m) pier extending into the Gulf of Mexico.
 
Galveston is the second-largest city in Galveston County in population after League City; League City surpassed Galveston between 2000 and 2005.
 
Wikipedia: Alcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island, sometimes informally referred to as simply Alcatraz or by its pop-culture name, The Rock, is a small island located in the middle of San Francisco Bay in California, United States. It served as a lighthouse, then a military fortification, then a military prison followed by a federal prison until 1963. It became a national recreation area in 1972 and received landmarking designations in 1976 and 1986.
 
Today, the island is a historic site operated by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and is open to tours. Visitors can reach the island by ferry ride from Pier 33, near Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco.
 
Urban Dictionary
Galvatraz
A nickname for Galveston, Texas, a small island city on the Gulf of Mexico near Houston. People call it that because there are a lot of projects, gangs and thugs there, even though it is a small city.
I parked my car a block of the Seawall in Galvatraz, and some knucklehead smashed my window and stole my CD player.
by novamax Feb 14, 2007
 
Google Groups: alt.fan.keanu-reeves
Newsgroups: alt.fan.keanu-reeves
From: “Col. Sphinx Drummond”

Date: 2000/05/19
Subject: Re: Morning Keanu
 
> Its exotic to me, an old New England Yankee.  I live on an island on a
> beach, off the coast of Texas.  I would say more but the bgrinc will post
> it at any oportunity in an effort to hurt me.  Was just a couple weeks ago
> she posted my full name. Just because she could.
 
You’ve got to have a better reason than being intimidated by Jen (bgrinc, aka: a.fan), if she’s why you maintain an annonomous address. My full name is Sphinx Drummond and I live at 1408 Alameda Dr. Austin Tx. 78704. I dare anyone to do something about it!
 
I have a friend who lives in a place like you… we call it Galvatraz. 😉
   
Google Groups: rec.sport.golf
Newsgroups: rec.sport.golf
From: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) (Syd Barrett)
Date: 11 Jan 2002 12:28:16 -0800
Local: Fri, Jan 11 2002 4:28 pm
Subject: Re: Galveston Texas Golf
 
SouthShore Harbour and Magnolia Creek are two entirely seperate courses. SSH is a private/resort course and Magnolia Creek is a recently constructed 27 hole links layout.  Unless you are staying at
SSH, it will take some skillful pursuasion to get on.  Even if you had the choice of playing either, you would opt for MC anyway.  SSH’s outside the neighborhood membership has dwindeled since the MC opening.  MC is in great shape and is without a doubt where you should play if your willing to drive 20 mins from Galvatraz.
 
Coastal Living (2002)
So You Want to Live in ... Galveston, Texas
(...)
Like many her age, Amy calls it “Galvatraz,” but she says that if she moved away, “I wouldn’t be gone long, because of the water. I’d miss it.”
   
HoustonVoice.com
opinion
By FOREST RIGGS
APR. 8, 2006
Dry, with variable crankiness
What happens when Galveston, a town well known for its party atmosphere, gives up alcohol for Lent?
(...)
Galveston Island, or “Galvatraz,” as it is affectionately termed by the locals, is no exception to the great Lenten adventure in denying self. This island of misfit toys that boasts of more bars per capita than any other Texas city has gone largely dry for at least forty days.
 
Apis Bull MySpace Blog
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Tech-Gnar 3000 - Galvatraz Records upcoming release!
Current mood:  accomplished
Category: Music
We have now set up a deal with Galvatraz Records out of Galveston, Texas!
 
Cinn-fully Delicious
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Galveston, TX
(...)
That pretty much sums up G-town or Galvatraz as it’s more commonly called.