Galveston in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Stewart Building

Photographed By Jim Evans, July 29, 2012

1. The Stewart Building Marker

Inscription. Julius Kauffman (1856-1935) and Julius Runge (1851-1906), second generation owners of a commission firm established in 1842, had architect Eugene T. Heiner design this renaissance revival building in the north Italian mode. Contractor Robert Palisser completed the structure in 1882. Then known as the world's foremost cotton exporters and the initiators of coffee imports from Brazil, Kauffman-Runge also brought significant numbers of settlers to Texas. They housed commodities on the building's ground floor, and had offices above. Many highly-respected Galveston firms had business quarters here.

In 1905 the property was bought by Maco Stewart (1871-1938), who redesigned the interior to create a gallery effect with an arched skylight on the top floor. A foresighted, dynamic lawyer, Maco Stewart in 1908 founded Stewart Title Guaranty Company, now (1978) the largest title firm in Texas. Throughout expansion across the United States, it continuously had offices in this structure of its origin.

Stewart Title Company has restored the building, replacing the ornate cornice which had been missing since the famous 1900 Galveston storm.

Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 11568.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings

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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 29° 18.409′ N, 94° 47.579′ W. Marker is in Galveston, Texas, in Galveston County. Marker is at the intersection of 22nd Street and Mechanic Street, on the right when traveling north on 22nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. Samson Heidenheimer Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Juneteenth (within shouting distance of this marker); The First National Bank of Galveston (within shouting distance of this marker); The Strand (within shouting distance of this marker); W. P. Ballinger Law Firm (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old Galveston Square (about 300 feet away); Mallory-Produce Building (about 300 feet away); Washington Hotel (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galveston.

Photographed By Kayla Harper, June 25, 2015

2. The Stewart Building Marker

The Stewart Building Detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Kayla Harper, June 25, 2015

3. The Stewart Building Detail

The Stewart Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jim Evans, July 29, 2012

4. The Stewart Building

The marker is behind the pickup truck

Credits. This page was last revised on March 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 605 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 6, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on March 4, 2022, by Kayla Harper of Dallas, Texas. 4. submitted on August 6, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.