Port of Galveston immigration Port of Galveston immigration The Port of Galveston, in Galveston, Texas, was the gateway for tens of thousands of immigrants to the Southwest of United States as an immigrant inspection station. The immigration station located in Galveston brought a vast number of immigrants into the Southwest of the United States while it was in operation from when it opened in 1906 until it closed. Although not as well known as the immigration station on Ellis Island, Galveston is probably best known for the influx of Jewish immigrants coming from Europe during this period, which is commonly referred to as the
Free State of Galveston perhaps the second most infamous red-light district in the early 20th century and most major cities in the state had significant vice activities at least until mid-century, though most went into decline before Galveston's did. During the Open Era Galveston's vice industries dominated, while most other areas of the state were at times forced to crack down on vice due to public pressure. The city's permissive attitude was not confined to gangs, politicians and elite businessmen. The citizenry in general took pride in the traditional Galveston approach to freedom. A notable example of this occurred at a political rally where