Galveston in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Old Galveston Square
Today, Old Galveston Square is composed of four historic buildings and one contemporary structure. The oldest of these is the E. S. Wood Building, at the eastern end of the row. The Wood Building was completed in 1857, as a part of the continuous facade formed by a row of buildings that lined this entire block of The Strand. The buildings that survive today were replacements for buildings lost in a fire in February 1870. The Wood Building was partially damaged and required extensive repairs. The additional buildings completed in 1871 were the T. W. House, Henry Runge and John Berlocher Buildings.
The four historic buildings are constructed of brick with a plaster facade. The brick piers of the three buildings on the west end of the row are clad with cast-iron storefront. Pilasters on the front elevation delineate the position of dividing walls between the buildings. The running parapet is embellished with recessed panels. Second and third story windows on the Strand elevation are the original “four over four” windows and each has a plaster hood mold. The building interior retains the original cast-iron structural columns and much of the original wood framing and flooring.
The buildings comprising this Commercial Row were incorporated into a single business house by Blum Hardware in 1904, Black Hardware Company occupied the building from 1917 to 1966, Flood and Calvert, ship chandlers, operated here from 1966 to 1982. In 1982, a developer acquired the property and began an extensive redevelopment of the building including the addition of contemporary interior elements, a glass conservatory and a massive sculpture on the west portion of the building.
George and Cynthia Mitchell purchased the property in 1987, and continued restoration.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 29° 18.431′ N, 94° 47.634′ W. Marker is in Galveston, Texas, in Galveston County. Marker is on Strand Street east of 23rd Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located along the sidewalk on the south side of the street, roughly in the middle of the block. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2225 Strand Street, Galveston TX 77550, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Strand (within shouting distance of this marker); Juneteenth (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Jefferson League Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Saengerfest Park (within shouting distance of this marker); 1871 Thomas Jefferson League Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Rice, Baulard & Company Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); W. P. Ballinger Law Firm (about 300 feet away); The First National Bank of Galveston (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galveston.
Also see . . .
1. Old Galveston Square. (This link presents some interior pictures from the buildings.) The Old Galveston Square is nestled deep within The Strand National Historic Landmark District. The numerous windows, large and grand skylights, and opulent atrium bring a palatial feeling to this hidden gem of South Texas. The lower floor houses a number of finer retail establishments, while the upper two floors serve primarily as office space. (Submitted on December 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Galveston, Texas Fire, Dec 1869. from The New York Times, 1869-12-04: GALVESTON, Texas, Dec. 3 -- A destructive fire occurred this morning, consuming four entire blocks and three-fourths of two other blocks. The fire originated in the clothing establishment of COHEN Brothers, at the corner of Strand and Fremont streets. A high wind from the northwest prevailed, and the flames swept in a southerly direction, burning three blocks on Fremont street, between Strand and Post Office streets, and three blocks between Mechanic and Church streets and West and Twenty-fourth streets, (Submitted on December 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 29, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 27, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.