Yep, Galveston could never have recovered from the "great hurricane" of 1900, raising the whole city seventeen (17) feet above its previous level, initiated and completed, with no federal assistance. The lead engineer was an ex-military engineer.
Seawall, Galveston district
"[Henry Martyn] Robert was president of the Board of Engineers from 1895 to 1901. He was made brigadier general on April 30, 1901, and was appointed Chief of Engineers. He served until May 2, 1901, when he retired from the Army. Following his retirement, he chaired a board of engineers that designed the Galveston, Texas seawall following the Galveston Hurricane of 1900."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Martyn_Robert Oh yeah, they got the soil by dredging the bay -- do that today EPA. ha ha