La Porte in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Seureau Building: The First Business in La Porte

Photographed by James Hulse, August 20, 2025

1. Seureau Building: The First Business in La Porte Marker

Inscription. The first business established in La Porte was the Seureau Mercantile Store, which opened in March, 1892. It was built on the corner of Main and Third Streets. The living quarters were upstairs as was the custom in those days. The Seureau Mercantile was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Eduoard P. Seureau. Mr. Seureau bought the property for his store on the Harris County Courthouse Steps in Houston on New Year's Day in 1892. The investors had promoted the New Gulf City extensively all over the Midwest, New York and at the Chicago World's Fair, and Mr. Seureau knew that the new settlers would need the goods he could provide. He hurriedly built his store, and when the excursion trains from the Midwest came riding in, his store was ready, with a complete line of hardware, dry goods and groceries. Mr. Seureau was also the first postmaster of La Porte.

The original building burned in December of 1892 in one of La Porte's many fires. A new store was constructed on the same site using exactly the same plans. The second store burned in the 1915 fire that destroyed much of downtown and a third store was built on the site, using the same plans.

The third building stood until it was demolished in 1980.

Erected by City of La Porte.

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Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1892.

Location. 29° 39.932′ N, 95° 1.358′ W. Marker is in La Porte, Texas, in Harris County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street and S 3rd Street, on the right when traveling west on West Main Street. The marker is located along the sidewalk. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 402 W Main St, La Porte TX 77571, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The 1915 Fire (within shouting distance of this marker); Artesian Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Williams Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Besson Building (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); La Porte Hardware (about 500 feet away); First City Hall and Jail (about 500 feet away); Five Points - The Hub of the City (approx. 0.2 miles away); Historic La Porte Colored School (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in La Porte.

The view of the marker along the sidewalk image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 20, 2025

2. The view of the marker along the sidewalk

The view of the marker from across the street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, August 20, 2025

3. The view of the marker from across the street

Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 93 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 23, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.