Galveston's Historic Homes

Galveston, Texas is a city rich in history as most port cities are. I have had the pleasure of visiting Galveston many times. I've compiled this list of Historic Homes and Buildings based on my own experience and from the recommendations of the Galveston Historical Foundation.

Two of the most popular historic homes are the Bishop's Palace and the Moody Mansion and Museum. The Bishop's Palace located at 1402 Broadway was completed in 1892 as the family home for Walter Gresham. It is a National Historic Landmark and is considered the 14th most important Victorian building in America by the American Institute of Architects. The Moody Mansion Museum at 2618 Broadway was purchased by W.L. Moody 6 days after the Great Storm of 1900. Mary Moody Northen, daughter of W.L., socialite and philanthropist, made her debut in the house in 1911. She lived in the house until 1983 when it was damaged by hurricane Alicia. When she donated it to the Historical Foundation, it was restored and is now furnished in 1900-era decor.

The Michel B. Menard house, completed in 1838, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Menard was one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence and along with Samuel B. Williams, one of the founders of Galveston. This Greek Revival home was the site of the first Mardi Gras ball in Galveston and is its oldest building. You can visit it at 1605 33rd St.

The Samuel B. Williams home at 3601 Avenue P was completed in 1839, making it the second oldest surviving home in Galveston. When Williams, co-founder of Galveston, founder of the Texas Navy, and secretary to Stephen F. Austin, built the house it was away from the hustle and bustle of town. Now it's in the middle of town. The rooftop cupola was restored after being destroyed in an 1890's era fire.

Ashton Villa at 2328 Broadway was the first brick house in Texas and the first of the Broadway "palace" residences to be built when it was completed in 1859. It is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Powhatan House at 3427 Avenue O is has served as the headquarters of the Galveston Garden Club since 1954. It was completed in 1847 and has been known since as one of the most beautiful Greek Revival residences in Texas. It's 40-foot Doric columns were hand made in Maine and shipped to Texas by schooner. The home was originally the central section of a hotel before it was moved to its current locale. The builder, John Seabrook Sydor, was an early businessman and mayor of the city.

2704 Avenue O is the address of the Garten Verein, the German "garden club" building finished in 1880. It is a 5 acre park known as Kempner Park today. When it was originally laid out it contained a clubhouse [which was the original owner's home], lawns, walkways, gardens, tennis courts, croquet grounds, bowling alleys, playgrounds and a dancing pavilion. After the Great Storm of 1900, the only structure to survive was the octagonal dancing pavilion. It needed repair, but it survives today. Its enchanting lights at night and its intriguing shape in the daytime make this structure listed in the National Register of Historic Places and a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark a favorite rental for parties and special occasions.

St. Joseph's Church at 2202 Avenue K is a deconsecrated Catholic church built by German immigrants in 1859-60. It is the oldest German Catholic Church in Texas and the oldest wooden church building in Galveston. Its a rectangular Gothic Revival structure, with a square bell tower. It has plaster of Paris Stations of the Cross with German inscriptions that date back to the early 20th century. The Catholic diocese decided to close the church in 1968. It auctioned off the furnishings at that time. When the Galveston Historical Foundation learned the building was to be used as a warehouse, they leased the building, recovered most of the original contents and re-installed them. The foundation now uses the church building as a community and historical resource.

There are other historic locations in Galveston. The Strand and Downtown have been the latest areas for restoration and revitalization. But the old homes will always be my favorites. These are the places people had their most intimate moments. Where they lived, laughed, cried, loved and died. Come visit and be enchanted soon, y'all.