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Long before San Antonians filled the splash zone at Shamu Stadium, Texans were crowding the benches at Galveston's immensely popular Sea-Arama Marineworld. An exciting aquatic adventure with an equally exciting and aquatic name, it made a big impact as one of the earliest marine parks of its kind. Featuring sea lions, performing dolphins, the occasional orca and reportedly even a touch of alligator wrestling, it remained a favorite among Galveston's tourist attractions for years. Located just yards from the shoreline, Sea-Arama provided families oceanic amusement without ever having to actually reach the ocean. |
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Early on, Texas A&M University expressed interest in converting the site into a research facility, but nothing came of it. There was also talk of creating an upscale RV park, but that too fell through. So, the aquarium remained where it was, unused. Long abandoned, the buildings' walls are cracked and its tanks overgrown with algae. The once-impressive modernist facade has turned into a decaying hazard, while other structures have succumbed to gravity completely. Peeling and crumbling, Sea-Arama has become Galveston's version of the Roman Colosseum––though, of course, without the stigma of all those dead Christians. What will eventually befall the relic has yet to be determined. There have been reports concerning the development of a new water park, but no one's offering specifics. For now, all we have to go on is what the graffiti tells us: that "J.H." is running the place and it will, until a purchase is made, continue to serve as "Stoner Land." |