During Galveston's
Open Era the road became quite famous as a lavish, nationally known tourist venue and casino district featuring elegant hotels and clubs. The boulevard's prominence began with the construction of the club and casino Maceo's Grotto (later called the
Balinese Room) in 1929. Other famous locations on this road included Murdoch's Bath House, the Buccaneer Hotel, the Pleasure Pier, and the Mountain Speedway roller coaster. File:Bath Houses and Boulevard, Galveston, Texas.jpg|thumb|left|Bath Houses and Boulevard, Galveston, Texas [The Murdoch] (postcard, circa 1915-1924) The boulevard became the focal point for tourism events such as the
International Pageant of Pulchritude of the 1920s, the first international
beauty contest. The event would be held on the beach in front of the seawall attracting tourists from around the nation and media attention from around the world. Other events along the boulevard included the spectacular
Mardi Gras parade and celebration. This era of prosperity declined during the 1940s and ended in the 1950s with the closing of the casinos by the
Texas Rangers. ==Notes==