Holy Rosary Church, one of the first African American
Catholic parishes in Texas, had its beginnings in a school. In
1886, Bishop Nicholas A. Gallagher opened an elementary
school for African American children in a one-room cottage
on 12th . . . — — Map (db m245379) HM
Galveston native Adolph D. Dolson was the son of a Norwegian father and Irish mother who migrated here in the 1860s. An active businessman during the first half of the twentieth century, Dolson served four terms (1943-1950) as Galveston's finance . . . — — Map (db m245560) HM
Born in Scotland and trained at
Edinburgh University, Dr. William
Keiller came to Galveston in the
early 1890s to serve as the first
Professor of Anatomy at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
He remained in that capacity for
40 years, but . . . — — Map (db m245644) HM
Built at a cost of $1,000,000, this hotel was financed by local businessmen and public subscribers to help the economy of Galveston following the 1900 hurricane. Completed in 1911, it was designed by the St. Louis firm of Mauran and Russell. The . . . — — Map (db m35925) HM
John Henry Hutchings was born in North Carolina in 1822. After living in New Orleans for several years, he moved to Galveston in 1845. Two years later he entered into a partnership with John Sealy to sell dry goods in Sabine Pass. They returned to . . . — — Map (db m56275) HM
Erected in 1856 for businessman John Henry Hutchings and his new wife Minnie (Knox), this structure was designed to resemble an Italian villa. It was damaged in an 1885 storm, and noted architect Nicholas Clayton did the extensive repair and . . . — — Map (db m56276) HM
This impressive building contains grey and pink granite, red Texas sandstone, and buff colored terra cotta. Designed in the Neo-Renaissance style by Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton, it was built in 1895 for the banking firm of Ball, . . . — — Map (db m119197) HM
Four decades after joining in partnership, George Ball, John Henry Hutchings, and John Sealy employed prominent Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton to design office buildings for their Ball, Hutchings & Co. commission and banking operations. . . . — — Map (db m70556) HM
At the time of his death in 1894 Polish immigrant Harris Kempner, age 57, was a leading Galveston businessman with interests in banking, insurance, railroads, and cotton. Isaac Herbert Kempner, age 21 and the eldest of Harris Kempner's eight . . . — — Map (db m137967) HM
Isaac Heffron (1853-1928), born in Wales,
immigrated to Galveston at a young age. In
1876, he married Clotilde Gillet, a native
Texan. The couple had four children and
purchased the house on Post Office Street,
formerly Avenue E, in 1881. . . . — — Map (db m245633) HM
Built in 1886, this residence was shared by Isabella O. Maas and her daughter and son-in-law, Rosana and Nathan Redlich. Active in civic and charitable organizations, Mrs. Maas lived here until her death in 1891. Dr. W.C. Fisher, city health . . . — — Map (db m138041) HM
Joseph Levy (1844-1922) with his brother Bernard "Ben" Levy (1849-1908) established the J. Levy & Bro. livery business in Galveston in 1868. Raised in the family livestock business in the French region of Alsace, the Levy brothers came to America . . . — — Map (db m157711) HM
Designed by Nathaniel Tobey, Jr., and built in 1884 for the family of John Francis Smith, this house is an excellent example of Italianate architecture. Prominent features of the house include paired brackets, a bay window, balcony, and hood . . . — — Map (db m142589) HM
Galveston native Arthur John "Jack" Johnson (1878-1946) was the first African American World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. He grew up in Galveston's East End and honed his fighting skills working on the wharves. During the 1900 storm, Johnson . . . — — Map (db m154257) HM
In 1884, Mrs. Barbara Lenz (Lentz) Jacobs (1831-1908), the widow of Christopher Jacobs, purchased a small cottage on this lot from Ferdinand and Caroline Möller (Miller). In 1885, Mrs. Jacobs, a prominent midwife, built a new, two-story house . . . — — Map (db m140395) HM
A veteran of the War of 1812, James Love, a lawyer, came to Texas in 1837 with his wife Lucy (Ballinger). He helped found Galveston, and was a political ally of Mirabeau B. Lamar. Love served as a delegate to the 1845 Annexation Convention, judge of . . . — — Map (db m50031) HM
James Nathaniel "Nat" Davis (d. 1902) built this two-story galleried residence in 1899. The designer was Charles W. Bulger, a Galveston architect. As a reporter for the Galveston Daily News, Davis wrote some of the earliest accounts of the . . . — — Map (db m140046) HM
The East End Historic District, which initiated development in the area immediately east of Galveston’s Downtown Business District, saw its busiest period of construction during the last two decades of the 19th century. Many of the city’s . . . — — Map (db m142535) HM
Notorious pirate. Settled here in 1817 with his buccaneers and ships; under Mexican flag, continued his forays against Spanish shipping in the Gulf. On this site, he built his home, Maison Rouge (Red House), which was part of his fort; and upper . . . — — Map (db m143632) HM
John and Eliza Hertford bought three lots at this site in 1867 and built this house by 1869, the year of John's death. Eliza and her children continued to reside here until 1878. This house, originally a Greek revival-influenced design, was later . . . — — Map (db m137973) HM
Virginia native John Bankhead Magruder graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1830. For meritorious service in the Mexican War (1846-48) Magruder was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He later resigned from the U.S. Army to join . . . — — Map (db m50047) HM
John Maxwell Jones, a native of Delaware, came to Galveston in 1839 and opened a jewelry store on The Strand. Active in area commerce, he helped organize the First National Bank of Galveston. His wife Henrietta was the daughter of French composer . . . — — Map (db m142546) HM
After coming to Texas from Virginia about 1838, John Trueheart received a land grant for his service with Jack Hays' Rangers. He then began a partnership in a Galveston General Land Agency with Memucan Hunt and returned to Virginia for his wife Anne . . . — — Map (db m127581) HM
Irish immigrant and Galveston police officer John Smith had this home constructed at 3601 Post Office Street in 1890, where it later served to shelter victims of the 1900 storm. It was moved to this site in 1927. The home features an unusual . . . — — Map (db m143612) HM
A native of Prussia, Julius H. Ruhl came to Galveston in 1872. He served as cashier and clerk for the mercantile firm of Kauffman & Runge until his death in 1882. This home, which Ruhl had constructed in 1874-75, remained in his family until 1962. . . . — — Map (db m57449) HM
Commemorated annually on June 19th, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the U.S. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on Sep. 22, 1862, announced, "That on the 1st day of January. A.D. . . . — — Map (db m157466) HM
In this area is one of several known Karankawa campsites or burial grounds. Now extinct, the nomadic Indians lived along the Texas coast, depending on the Gulf for survival. In 1528 they aided Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca, but resisted all . . . — — Map (db m201910) HM
In 1838, Col. Ephraim McLean was granted wharf privilege by the Galveston City Company provided he start construction of a wharf at once, which he did at the foot of 18th Street. Shortly after the wharf was completed, McLean left Galveston to fight . . . — — Map (db m130399) HM
Fort and settlement established here in 1817 by the freebooter Jean Lafitte who maintained headquarters here while preying on shipping in the Gulf of Mexico. The Battle of the Three Trees was fought here between Lafitte's men and Karankawa . . . — — Map (db m87726) HM
Confederate veteran and capitalist Henry A. Landes (1844-1919) had this house built in 1887-88. Designed by prominent architects George E. Dickey of Houston and D. A. Helmich, the house reportedly provided refuge to some 200 people during the . . . — — Map (db m50048) HM
This two-story galleried Greek revival residence was built about 1870 by Galveston attorney Marcus C. McLemore (d. 1898). The Society for the Help of Homeless Children bought the home in 1901 for use as a charitable center. It was enlarged in 1912 . . . — — Map (db m65178) HM
A sea captain's son who became a sailor at the age of 14, Lent Munson Hitchcock left his native Connecticut and joined the Texas Navy about 1836. Seafaring duties brought him to Galveston in 1837 where he later served as harbor master, city . . . — — Map (db m50049) HM
Leon & H. Blum, "Importers of and Wholesale Dealers in Staple and Fancy Dry Goods, Hats, Boots and Shoes, Notions, etc.", was founded by Alexander and Leon Blum in 1858 under the firm name of A. Blum & Bro. In 1865 the firm was reorganized and the . . . — — Map (db m130434) HM
A young Alsatian immigrant, Leon Blum (1836-1906), joined his brother Alexander in a business partnership in Richmond, Texas, about 1852. The company, A.Blum & Bro., moved to Galveston in 1859. The new firm of Leon & H. Blum was founded late in . . . — — Map (db m65088) HM
Born in Georgetown, South Carolina, Levi Charles Meyers Harby was the son of Solomon Harby and Rebecca (Moses) Harby. During the War of 1812, Levi served in the U.S. Navy. He was commissioned as a midshipman and stationed at Charleston. After the . . . — — Map (db m127578) HM
The first portion of this Queen Anne house was built before 1889 as a one-story cottage. About 1894, during the ownership of William B. Lockhart (1860-1923), it was enlarged by raising the original section to the second floor and adding a new ground . . . — — Map (db m138029) HM
Native South Carolinian, Sergeant in Seminole War, lawyer, member Texas Legislature, an ardent secessionist as United States Senator from 1859 to 1861, visited Fort Sumter with surrender demand as aide to General Beauregard, member Confederate . . . — — Map (db m127526) HM
Maryland-born Edward Lea Graduated From the U.S. Naval Academy in 1855. At the onset of the Civil War, his father, Albert, unsuccessfully tried to persuade him to join the Confederacy. Edward became First Officer on the U.S.S. Harriet Lane. . . . — — Map (db m49993) HM
A fire on The Strand in 1869 destroyed an earlier structure at this site. John F. Magale (d. 1880) built this edifice in 1870 to house his wholesale liquor business. Cast iron was used for the first floor facade and window hood molding for the . . . — — Map (db m140062) HM
Leon Dyer was born Feist Emanuel Heim (Haim) on Oct. 2, 1807 in Mayene, Germany, to John Maximilian and Isabella (Babette) Nachmann Dyer. The family immigrated to the U.S. around 1812 and settled in Baltimore where they began a meat packing . . . — — Map (db m127579) HM
Originally built after 1877, this structure was rebuilt after an 1881 fire. Although owned at the time by D.D. Mallory of Baltimore, it was occupied by wholesale grocers Moore, Stratton & Co. and other businesses. It was known throughout much of . . . — — Map (db m201825) HM
Mardi Gras was born out of a fifteenth-century European masquerade ball tradition, where guests would wear extravagant costumes and masks to conceal their identities.
The first Mardi Gras celebration in Galveston occurred in 1867 at Turner Hall, . . . — — Map (db m118991) HM
Born in Bremen, Germany, Mathilda Wehmeyer (1839-1903) arrived in Galveston in 1870. She advertised teaching services for young children, particularly those from Galveston's large German-American community. Her teaching philosophy focused around . . . — — Map (db m153310) HM
Built in the mid-1890s, this late Victorian home was owned by Maud J.H. Moller from about 1895 until 1911. She and her husband, Jens, were prominent in Galveston business and political circles. Cotton exporter and Swiss Consul Ulrich Muller resided . . . — — Map (db m59399) HM
Medard Menard followed his well-established cousin, Michel B. Menard, to Galveston where he married Susan LeClere in 1838. He built this house in 1882 for himself, Susan and their daughter, Marie, and her children. The home was purchased by Herbert . . . — — Map (db m139977) HM
On July 8, 1869, the press reported the recent completion of the Merchants Mutual Insurance Company Building: "It is unlike any other in the external appearance, being finished in the French style with a Mansard roof. The front is of iron and . . . — — Map (db m130422) HM
A native of Canada, Michel B. Menard came to Texas in 1829. He lived in Nacogdoches and Liberty before settling in Galveston in 1833. He was one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836, and later represented Galveston in the . . . — — Map (db m127531) HM
This marker commemorates enslaved Africans in Galveston during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as well as those who perished during the transatlantic slave trade known as the Middle Passage.
Galveston Historical Foundation — — Map (db m147637) HM
Twenty-fourth Street is renamed to honor George and Cynthia Mitchell, who catalyzed the renaissance of the Strand Historic District. George Mitchell was born on the island in 1919 to Greek immigrants Mike and Katina Mitchell (born Savvas . . . — — Map (db m119198) HM
In 1838 New Jersey native Nahor Biggs Yard arrived in the new town of Galveston and built one of the city's first residences. Yard enjoyed success in business but is best remembered for his distinguished civic and military career. He served as city . . . — — Map (db m127524) HM
A bivouac in late 1816 and early 1817 for an oddly mixed group of soldiers from many nations joined in the common purpose of freeing Mexico from Spain. Under two spirited leaders-- Mina (1789-1817), an impetuous young Spanish general, and Aury . . . — — Map (db m30446) HM
Nicholas Descomps Labadie was born in Canada in 1802. In Missouri, he trained for the priesthood and later changed to the study of medicine. In 1831, he moved to Texas, serving as post surgeon at Anahuac. He served in the Second Regiment of Texas . . . — — Map (db m127532) HM
Nicholas Clayton's legacy is the Victorian architecture for which Galveston is famous. Born in Ireland, he came to Galveston in 1872 to supervise the building of the second Tremont Hotel. With its rotunda of Corinthian columns, Italian marble . . . — — Map (db m245536) HM
A native of Ireland, Nicholas Joseph Clayton emigrated to Ohio with his widowed mother in the early 1840s. After serving in the Union navy during the Civil War, he joined the Memphis architectural firm of Jones and Baldwin. In 1872 he was sent to . . . — — Map (db m70567) HM
Born a slave on the Waller County plantation of his father, Philip Cuney, Norris Wright Cuney was sent to Wyle Street School in Pennsylvania for an early education. At the age of seventeen he moved to St. Louis and found employment on Mississippi . . . — — Map (db m143813) HM
During the 1830s, an informal, outdoor market started in the half-block north of Market Street between 20th and 21st streets. In 1846, mayor John Sydnor hired Ives and Crow to build a 260-foot long structure in the center of 20th Street between . . . — — Map (db m174335) HM
Situated between two wharves and close to the Customs House, this site was an ideal location for early Galveston businesses. Retail and wholesale merchants began trading here in hardware, jewelry, real estate, crockery, tobacco, shoes, boots, . . . — — Map (db m127854) HM
Born as Lucy Mary Olga Agnes Hickenlooper to Carlos and Jane (Loening) Hickenlooper in San Antonio, Lucy grew up in a home in the wealthy Silk Stocking District of Galveston. Lucy's father worked for the Thos. Googan & Bro. Music Company and her . . . — — Map (db m193811) HM
Brought from Jamaica, 1841, by local businessman Joseph Osterman; planted by Osterman's sister, Mrs. Isidore Dyer, in yard of her home at this location. Transplanted when new structure was placed here, 1939, this oleander is an outgrowth of original . . . — — Map (db m57333) HM
Jean Lafitte's pirate ships (1815-1821) and Republic of Texas Navy (1836-1840s) once sailed here. Galveston Wharves & Cotton Press Company, chartered 1854, built early dock. Confederate marine assaults at sites in vicinity freed the isle city of . . . — — Map (db m190765) HM
Charles Hodgeson Pix was a member of a Texas pioneer family that came to Galveston from England in 1838. He was one of the early English merchants in Galveston who were importers of English goods direct from London. He began business at #6 Strand . . . — — Map (db m118999) HM
This Greek Revival cottage was built in the 1860s by W. G. Boepple on land he bought from Valentine Poole, a local cattle dealer who again became the owner in 1872. In 1886 the home was sold to the estate of "Galveston News" editor Willard B. . . . — — Map (db m143551) HM
The festive arches gracing Galveston's historic Strand District are part of an imaginative civic design project undertaken in 1985 and based on temporary decorative arches constructed in 1881, when the City of Galveston hosted Saengerfest, a . . . — — Map (db m118989) HM
In 1873, Edward Sylvester paid W.C. Crookshank to build a side-gabled cottage with galleries that ran the length of the north and south sides of the house. Originally, there was a small building at the back of the lot most likely used as a . . . — — Map (db m142537) HM
Early Galveston hotel; built 1847 by John Seabrook Sydnor, Galveston mayor 1846-1847.
Greek revival architecture; Doric columns from Maine.
Has served as orphanage, military academy, residence, and set for a motion picture. Now Galveston . . . — — Map (db m56233) HM
Attempts to open public, tax-supported schools in Galveston after the Civil War (1861-65) were delayed by yellow fever and lack of funds, but in 1881 the school board devised a sound system of free public education. This included classes for black . . . — — Map (db m157725) HM
The Quigg-Baulard Cottage was originally built by William and Josephine Quigg in 1867. The wooden house with clapboard siding includes five-foot brick piers. The front exhibits Greek revival features, characteristic of mid-19th century Galveston. . . . — — Map (db m148955) HM
Called the "First Citizen of Texas" by U. S. President Woodrow Wilson, Rabbi Henry Cohen, an internationally known humanitarian, was born in London, England.
He came to Galveston in 1888 as spiritual leader of congregation B'Nai Israel and . . . — — Map (db m118254) HM
The revival of the economic, political, social and religious institutions in Galveston County following the Civil War, was more rapid than anywhere in the south. Galveston emerged as the largest city in Texas and with its natural seaport, became . . . — — Map (db m239829) HM
This structure, erected during the pastorate of the Rev. J.E. Edwards, replaced the first Reedy Chapel Church on this site, destroyed by the 1885 Galveston fire. Contractor E.F. Campbell began construction in 1886. Four storms hit the island that . . . — — Map (db m68579) HM
Trustees of the Methodist Church purchased this lot in 1848 as a worship site for Black slaves. Meetings were held outdoors until a building was erected in 1863. At the end of the Civil War (1865), ownership of the property was transferred to the . . . — — Map (db m63531) HM
The three row buildings at 213-217 Tremont, their exteriors now restored, were constructed in 1870 by Rice, Baulard & Company, a major supplier of paints, oils, varnish and window glass in Texas and Louisiana in the 1800's.
Victor Baulard . . . — — Map (db m118998) HM
The earliest Catholic services in the Galveston area were conducted in 1838. In 1884, as a result of the church's growth under the direction of such leaders as Bishop J.M. Odin, the Galveston Diocese established Sacred Heart as the fourth church . . . — — Map (db m51266) HM
The park takes its name from Saengerfest, a biennial singing contest sponsored by German immigrant choral societies around the State of Texas in the 19th century.
A choral group from Galveston, “the Salamanders,” took top honors in . . . — — Map (db m118988) HM
Samson Heidenheimer, pioneer Galveston merchant, had this building erected in 1877 on the site of the Grand Southern Hotel. The Grand Southern was a four-story forty-room Victorian Hotel of brick construction.
In 1877, a fire originating on . . . — — Map (db m128844) HM
Born the son of a ship captain in Rhode Island, Samuel Williams was apprenticed to his uncle in Baltimore after 1810 to learn business skills. After 1816 he lived in Buenos Aires, where he learned Spanish and its related culture. By 1819 he was . . . — — Map (db m58097) HM
(Front)
In memory of
Samuel May Williams
Born in Providence, R. I.
October 4, 1795
Died in Galveston, Texas
September 13, 1858
His wife
Sarah Scott Williams
Born in Kentucky
December 7, 1807
Died in Galveston, Texas . . . — — Map (db m127525) HM
The south half of this building was constructed in 1913 to serve as a central passenger station for Galveston's railway system and to house the general offices of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad's Gulf lines. In 1932 an 11-story tower and . . . — — Map (db m59380) HM
Born in 1867 in Galveston. One of major systems of celebrated Masonic fraternal organization.
Philip C. Tucker, the Deputy Inspector General of the Masons, read charter establishing "San Felipe Lodge of Perfection." It was named after San . . . — — Map (db m51248) HM
Galveston developed as the “Wall Street of the South” during
the latter half of the 19th century. John Henry Hutchings became
one of the most successful businessmen through a banking and
commissions firm he co-owned. In 1896, Hutchings gave five . . . — — Map (db m245318) HM
One of oldest churches in Galveston. Congregation
was organized before 1870, when former Galvestonian
Henry H. Brower sold this church site to the Shiloh
African Methodist Episcopal Church. Purchase was
made through Brower's agent, Nahor B. . . . — — Map (db m245422) HM
Built by Reverend John McCullough in 1849. Patterned after private Presbyterian schools in historic Chester County, Pennsylvania. The institution was a landmark in pioneer Texas education. Eminently suited for the purpose, the school compound . . . — — Map (db m143657) HM
A signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Founder of the city of Galveston. Member of the Congress of the Republic of Texas. — — Map (db m150235) HM
Seven nuns of the Ursuline order from New Orleans arrived in Galveston on January 19, 1847, sent at the request of Bishop Jean Marie Odin. By February 1847 the nuns established a convent and academy in the two-story former home of Judge James W. . . . — — Map (db m201948) HM
Galveston's economy grew after the Civil War as the
commercial district expanded greatly. The island's merchant
class capitalized on the nation's westward expansion and
established wholesale supply businesses in dry goods, cotton
and groceries. . . . — — Map (db m245434) HM
Built in 1886-87 for German native Jacob Sonnentheil (d. 1908), this home probably was designed by prominent Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton. Sonnentheil served with the Confederacy during the Civil War and operated a wholesale dry goods . . . — — Map (db m57408) HM
In the 1840s and 1850s, Galveston was a major point of entry for German immigrants. Bishop John M. Odin recommended construction of this church in 1859-60 for the German Catholic population. Joseph Bleicke, a German-born carpenter, built the frame . . . — — Map (db m57330) HM
City's oldest surviving church. Built 1847 by the most Rev. John M. Odin, C. M., Early missionary, and first bishop of Texas. Gift of half a million bricks from Antwerp, Belgium, made structure possible. Gothic cathedral is preserved in original . . . — — Map (db m58071) HM
The cornerstone for St. Mary’s Cathedral was laid in 1847, the same year that the Catholic Diocese of Galveston – which included all of Texas – was established.
Father J.M. Odin, the first Bishop of Galveston, traveled to Europe and secured . . . — — Map (db m201782) HM
Organized in 1866, this institution was the first private hospital established in the state. Originally known as Charity Hospital, it was founded by three French Catholic Sisters, members in the Order of Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. . . . — — Map (db m50051) HM
Galveston Bishop C.M. Dubus established this parish in 1870 to serve Catholics in Galveston Island's fast-growing west end district. A wood sanctuary was built at this site and the mostly Irish congregation named the church for St. Patrick, the . . . — — Map (db m52833) HM
Founded in the late 1860s, St. Paul Methodist Church can trace its history through two earlier Methodist congregations in Galveston. Charter members of St. Paul Church included Methodists from the Reedy Chapel Methodist Church (originally part of . . . — — Map (db m190766) HM
This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior
Steffens-Drewa House
c. 1869
[marker two]
Entered in the National Register of Historic Places . . . — — Map (db m245307) HM
