When Kempner Park was donated to the City of Galveston in 1923 by Stanley Kempner, he said, “I sincerely hope the City of Galveston will get as much pleasure out of this park, as I have had giving it.” Having earned special designations on the local, state, and federal levels, and with over 10,000 people visiting the park annually, the community has certainly cherished this sentiment. They have enthusiastically embraced this park as a local favorite for numerous activities, including among others, dog walking, reflecting, getting married, holding both public and private events, and for local or visiting artists, as a means to garner the subject matter as inspiration.
Kempner Park’s roots are some of the deepest on Galveston Island. Its history dates back to February 1876, when a group of German businessmen purchased a five-acre estate as a social club for their family and friends, and named it “The Galveston Garten Verein”. The “garden club” (as it translates to from German) included a clubhouse, lawns, walkways, bowling alleys, tennis courts, croquet grounds, playgrounds, a bandstand, and a dancing pavilion. The club would frequently hold concerts and dances throughout the spring and summer months and use the grounds for picnics and gatherings. In 1880, after the construction of the dancing pavilion was completed, a party was thrown for President Ulysses S. Grant and General Phil Sheradon, who had stopped in Galveston on their way home from a Mexican vacation. After World War I, anti-German sentiment caused members to vote in 1923 to sell the property to Galveston insurance executive, Stanley E. Kempner, who donated it to the City as a public park dedicated to his parents, Harris and Eliza Kempner.
Located about a mile from Historic Downtown Galveston Island, at 2704 Avenue O, Kempner Park has long been a staple for the community and visitors alike. The dancing pavilion, now known as the Garten Verein Pavilion, and the Albert Kuhn Memorial Pergola, which was constructed in 1911, still stand today despite two major storms and a fire. The deadliest storm in United States History, the 1900 Storm, left debris piled five to ten feet high strewn throughout the park, and buildings and vegetation suffered extensive damage. An estimated $10,000.00 (a considerable amount at the time) was spent to repair damage to the park. In April 1901, members noted that there were green leaves on a few remaining giant oak trees and drank a toast of gratitude that some were still alive.
That gratitude certainly resonates with any Galvestonian who was around prior to or after September 2008 when Hurricane Ike slammed ashore, and caused notable damage again to the landscaping and pavilion. Over $3 million is estimated to have been spent restoring and revitalizing the park in the time since. The Garten Verein Pavilion remains standing as testament to the resilient mentality and efforts of the community. Kempner Park as a whole, continues to be a beloved treasure amongst all who have visited the Albert Kuhn Memorial Pergola, rested under the gorgeous Oak trees, played near the beautiful landscaping, explored brisk walking trails, or gathered in the Garten Verein Pavilion.