 During the 1920s and 1930s , the city re @-@ emerged as a major tourist destination . Under the influence of Sam Maceo and Rosario Maceo , the city exploited the prohibition of liquor and gambling in clubs like the Balinese Room , which offered entertainment to wealthy Houstonians and other out @-@ of @-@ towners . Combined with prostitution , which had existed in the city since the Civil War , Galveston became known as the " sin city " of the Gulf . Galvestonians accepted and supported the illegal activities , often referring to their island as the " Free State of Galveston " . The island had entered what would later become known as the " open era " . 
 During the 1920s and 1930s , the city <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>re</mark></a> @-@ emerged as a major tourist destination . Under the influence of Sam Maceo and Rosario Maceo , the city exploited the prohibition of liquor and gambling in clubs like the Balinese Room , which offered entertainment to wealthy Houstonians and other out @-@ of @-@ towners . Combined with prostitution , which <a href='been_done' title='2'><mark>had</mark></a> existed in the city since the Civil War , Galveston became known as the " sin city " of the Gulf . Galvestonians accepted and supported the illegal activities , often referring to their island as the " Free State of Galveston " . The island <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>had</mark></a> entered what would later become known as the " open era " . 
During the 1920s and 1930s , the city red @-@ emerged as a major tourist destination . Under the influence of Sam Maceo and Rosario Maceo , the city exploited da prohibition of liquor and gambling in clubs like the Balinese Room , which offered entertainment to wealthy Houstonians and other outt @-@ of @-@ towners . Combined wid prostitution , which done existed in the city since the Civil War , Galveston became known as tda" sin city " of the Gulf . Galvestonians accepted and supported the illegal activities , often referring to their island as thda Free State of Galveston " . The island done entered what would later become known as thedaopen era " .