History
1871 Thomas Jefferson League Building
The Strand, known as "Wall Street of the Southwest," served as the central business district of early Galveston. A fire, set in 1869 to cover a robbery at Cohn Brothers, a clothing emporium, burned a mile wide area. It began at this site, once occupied by Moro Castle, a fashionable bar and meeting place of famous people.
History
A. Wilkins Miller Cottage
A. Wilkins Miller had this residence built by Galveston contractor R. B. Garnett in 1895. As president of Miller & Vidor Lumber Co., one of the largest in the state, Miller was responsible for the growth of the timber industry in much of southeast Texas and for the development of area rail lines.
Architecture
Adriance-Springer House
This house was built in 1914 for the family of businessman John Adriance, who was instrumental in Galveston's early development. It was sold in 1929 to business and civic leader Oscar Springer, whose family continued to live here until 1960. Designed by L. S.
History
Alta Loma
Traveling west from the Gulf of Mexico the land rises gradually and becomes Alta Loma (Spanish for high land) in this area of Galveston County. In 1893 the Alta Loma Investment and Improvement Company platted a townsite here along a Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad line built in the late 1870s.
History
Alta Loma Cemetery
Organized in 1897, this burial ground served the ranching and farming community of Alta Loma. In 1893 the Alta Loma Investment and Improvement Company located in Colorado established the town site, whose name means "High Land", in Spanish. IN 1894 William Skirvin, who is buried here, led the first party of settlers to the new town.
History
American National Insurance Company
Founded in 1905 by Galveston business pioneer W. L. Moody, Jr. (1865-1954), American National opened for business on third floor of the Moody Building at 22nd and Strand streets in Galveston. At that time the home office staff numbered ten. By 1912, when it began issuing dividends, the company was soundly established.
History
American Red Cross, Galveston County Chapter
Within days of the devastating storm of 1900 Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, arrived in Galveston with personnel, supplies, and relief funds. Assisting the relief effort, which included Galveston Island and several mainland counties, was a group of Galveston women who formed a Red Cross auxiliary and operated distribution centers throughout the area.
Architecture
Ashton Villa, 1859
Mediterranean style architecture. European materials. Confederate and Federal headquarters in Civil War. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967
History
Baden-Sproule House
Designed by noted Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton, this house was built in 1899 by Ida B. Baden on land once known as Thomas Borden's farm. West Island landowner John D. Settle sold Miss Baden the land and assisted her in the architectural arrangements. A wealthy property owner, Baden owned considerable stock in the Galveston Wharf Company, which was highly unusual.
History
Ball High School
Following the creation of a public free school system in Galveston in 1881, philanthropist George Ball (1817-1884) made a proposal to the city for the construction of a high school. He offered either to donate funds for the building of a school or to have it built himself and then donate it to the city. The city leaders voted to have Ball build the school.
History
Battle of Galveston
As part of the Union blockade of the Texas coast, Commander W. B. Renshaw led his small fleet into Galveston harbor to demand the surrender of this most important Texas port on October 4, 1862. Largely unguarded, as it was considered indefensible, the city surrendered after an exchange of gunfire. Major General J. B.
History
Bernard Moore Temple
(November 4, 1843 - October 5, 1901) Virginia-born B. M. Temple served in the Confederate army during the Civil War (1861-1865), then moved west to begin a noted career in civil engineering. As chief engineer for the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railroad, 1879-1884), he supervised much of the line's expansion in Texas, always demanding quality construction.
History
Best-Lucas House
Catherine Best purchased this site in February 1866. In July of that year, sister-in-law Anne Best, wife of Louis Best, bought the improved lot from Catherine and her husband, William, a carpenter by trade. More improvements had been made by 1871, when the property was sold to Catherine and Thomas Lucas, a noted brickmason in Galveston.
History
Boddeker House
Boddeker House The son of German immigrants, Joseph Boddeker came to Galveston with his parents about 1850. After service in the Civil War, he worked as a riverboat pilot and purchased this lot for his family home in the 1870s. When the original Boddeker House was destroyed in the 1900 storm, Capt. Boddeker purchased and relocated this 1893 house from 12th and Sealy.
History
Bolivar Point
In 1815 Colonel Henry Perry established a military camp here as part of a plan to invade Spanish Texas. In 1816 Galveston-based privateer Louis-Michel de Aury forced shiploads of captured African Slaves to walk from this point to New Orleans along old Indian Trails. Aury is credited with naming the point after South American liberator Simon Bolivar.
History
Booker T. Washington School
Public education for African American students in Texas City began in 1915. The Texas City Independent School District hired Mrs. J.R. McKellar to teach the students; classes were held in churches and lodge halls until 1937, when the district purchased this property and moved a one-story wooden building to the site. For many years, Booker T.
History
Burial Site of David G. Burnet
(1788-1870) Provisional President of Texas (March 16, 1836 - Oct. 22, 1836). A man of strong principle who carried a gun in one pocket and a Bible in the other, Burnet acted as a cohesive force in the chaotic days of early Texas independence, though his dour, quick-tempered disposition kept him from ever winning wide popularity.
History
C. F. Marschner Building
Erected in 1905-06 by local contractor Otto Haase, this building housed the Texas Bottling Works and the family residence of C. F. and Marie Marschner. Shortly before the completion of the building, C. F. Marschner died. His widow inherited the bottling works and operated the business with the assistance of her sons. The company was the first in Galveston to bottle distilled water.
Military
Camp Wallace
Named for World War I army Colonel Elmer J. Wallace, Camp Wallace was established as a training facility for military personnel during World War II. The U. S. government acquired more than 3,300 acres of land between the towns of Hitchcock and Alta Loma on State Highway 6 for placement of the facility. Construction began in November 1940.
History
Captain William S. Fisher
Born in Virginia. Captain of a company at San Jacinto, 1836 and in command of the Mier Expedition, 1842. Died in Galveston in 1845.
History
Carmelo "Charles" Bertolino
(September 4, 1887 - March 8, 1960) Born in Galveston in 1887, Carmelo Bertolino was the son of Salvatore Bertolino (d. 1891) and Rosalia Trapani Bertolino (d. 1942), who immigrated to Texas from Palermo, Italy in the early 1880s. Salvatore Bertolino drowned in Galveston Bay when Carmelo was three years old. Carmelo married Mabel Cousins (1894-1937) in 1911 and became the head of a large family.
History
Cecil and Frances Brown House
Designed by Houston architect Henry A. Stubee and built in 1938, this was the home of local civic, church, and business leader Cecil Brown and his wife Frances. Both were from pioneer Quaker families. Mr. Brown was prominent in the Gulf Coast fig industry (1920s-1950s) and is credited with much of Friendswood's development.
History
Cedar Lawn
In June 1926, the Cedar Lawn Company purchased nine city blocks for residential development. Company officers were W.L. Moody, III, President, W.D. Harden, Vice-President, and Clark W. Thompson, Secretary and Treasurer. The subdivision was designed as an enclave for the Moody family and officials of the Moody companies.
History
Charles Cronea
(January 14, 1805 - March 4, 1893) Born in Marseilles, France, Charles Cronea came to America on a French frigate as a cabin boy in 1818. Soon after, boarding a ship out of Charleston, South Carolina, Cronea and several companions entered the service of Jean Laffite off Galveston engaged in privateering cruises off the coast of Spanish Mexico. After nearly a year under the command of Capt.
History
City of Hitchcock
In region held before 1820s by Karankawa Indians, and afterwards by cattle raisers. The Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway built through the area in 1870s, naming station for Galveston civic leader and late landowner, Lent Munson Hitchcock (1810-1869). On the railway, George Henckel in 1880s opened a produce commission house.
Elsewhere in Texas
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