Sitting in the middle of Broadway at the intersection of 23rd St. also known as Tremont Street…read moreyou'll find this World War II memorial. It basically lists those who lived in the Galveston County area who lost their lives during the war. Also accompanying this memorial are two benches that sit out front dedicated to those who lost their lives in the Korean conflict. Located directly across the street is a monument to the 10 Commandments that was constructed in 1957.

The marker stands in front of the Santa Fe Union Station which operates as the Galveston Railroad…read moreMuseum. I did not have time to tour the museum but did look around the lobby of the station. The marker reads, ""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 8-story north wing were added, incorporating elements of the art deco style. In 1964 the Galveston office of the Santa Fe Railroad closed, and the company's last passenger train stopped here three years later." You'll find a number of artifacts in the lobby as well as the gift shop. These are accessible without needing to purchase entry to the museum. [Review 877 of 2024 - 632 in Texas - 21906 overall]

Another courthouse in the South and of course, another Confederate Monument. This one is in…read moreGalveston and stands at the very center of the Galveston County Courthouse which surely invokes some feelings. It was erected in 1911 by the local chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. I did not spot a context marker and it does appear that the one on the base of the statue is missing. It would read, "Erected to the Soldiers and Sailors of the Confederate States of America by The Veuve Jefferson Davis Chapter No. 17, United Daughters of the Confederacy in 1911 Galveston, Texas." and contines, "There has never been an armed force which in purity of motives intensity of courage and heroism has equaled the Army and Navy of the Confederate States of America 1861-65" At this time, the County Commissioners and the County Judge and the Galveston County Historical Commission want it to remain. So there it is. [Review 887 of 2024 - 642 in Texas - 21916 overall]

This historical marker is located on northwest corner of Galveston Courthouse square and points out…read moresome of the early history of Texas when it was independent and before it joined the Union. The marker reads, "Galveston Island, for centuries a crossroads for Indians, privateers, Spanish and French explorers, for a time was capital of the Republic of Texas. This was during the Texas War for Independence, when Santa Anna was making his 1836 invasion. On March 17, the hastily organized and interim cabinet of President David G. Burnet evacuated Washington-on-the-Brazos, moving to Harrisburg, and then in April to Galveston. Here it remained until after the Texas victory at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. "From January 1836 until U. S. annexation in 1846, Galveston was the naval base for the fleet which protected shipping and sought to prevent Mexican invasion of Texas by way of the sea. "By September 1837 the 4 ships of the Texas Navy had all been lost. Not until April 1840 was the navy reorganized under President M. B. Lamar. A former U. S. Naval officer, Edwin W. Moore, was made commodore. Afterward, when Moore became involved in a bitter controversy with President Sam Houston, Houston ordered the Navy to be sold. At the sale, the incensed people of Galveston used forceful means to prevent bidding. The ships at annexation were all transferred to the United States Navy." This is marker number 7457 and it was erected in 1965 by the State Historical Survey Committee. [Review 884 of 2024 - 639 in Texas - 21913 overall]

Located in Hendley Green Park, this marker tells the story of an organization dedicated to…read morepreserving history for us, posterity. I'm thankful for their efforts. The marker reads, "In 1871, twelve men formed the Galveston Historical Society to preserve the history of Texas by collecting important documents. The group and its archive grew, but in 1880, the secretary died, telling no one where to find the collection. In 1885, the Society found it and placed it in the care of Phillip C. Tucker, Jr., and his son. Interest in the group waned, but in 1894, new energy led to its reorganization as the Texas Historical Society. New members included Rabbi Henry Cohen and Elbridge G. Littlejohn, as well as several women. They began storing the collection, most of which had been salvaged after Galveston's tragic 1900 storm, at the Rosenberg Library in 1906. In 1931, they gave the library full ownership. "After several inactive years, the Society was resurrected in 1942 under its old name and turned to preserving historic landmarks, publishing a booklet in 1951 of the island's significant homes. In 1954, one of those homes, the 1830s Williams-Tucker House, was threatened. The Society, unable by its charter to acquire property, formed a new group, the Galveston Historical Foundation, which purchased the home and restored it. In 1958, the two groups merged as the Galveston Historical Foundation. Over the next 50 years, the group saved buildings and helped establish historic districts, including The Strand, one of the largest extant Victorian business districts in the South. "After celebrating its 130th year in 2001, the nationally acclaimed foundation continues its leadership role in revitalization, museum operation, education, property management and preservation advocacy." This is marker number 13717 and it was erected in 2006 by the Texas Historical Commission. Check it out when you're in Galveston. [Review 872 of 2024 - 627 in Texas - 21901 overall]

We were in the Galveston Historical District today, and dropped in at the Visitors Center for some…read moreinfo on the area. The young lady there couldn't have been more helpful. Simply marvelous!

It's the oldest commercial building in Galveston. It was owned by the Firm of William Hendley & Co…read more It looks like one big building from the outside, but it's actually 4 buildings that are binded together. It's probably more known for its Greek-Revival architectural style. It was used as a headquarters for both the Union & Confederate Army during the Civil War. There was an enemy look-out point at the top of this 3-story building that was used by both sides. Yes, this part of Texas appears to be flatter than Florida. Is that even possible? It was used as a temporary morgue after the Great Storm. That may be why it's a stop on Galveston ghost tours. Yes, it's supposedly haunted. The building currently houses businesses such as the Hendley Market and Hendley Wine Co. The Galveston Historical Foundation's office is also at this location. It's not the most beautiful looking building on The Strand, but it is part of Galveston's local history that we definitely noticed while exploring this historic area. It's worth a stop if you happen to be walking past it.

Located in front of a row of buildings with shops on the ground floor and offices or apartments…read moreabove, this marker points out the history of the structure and one man who helped Galveston grow to the city it is. The marker reads, "The commercial house of William Hendley & Co. was established in 1845 by William Hendley (1798-1873), his brother Joseph J. Hendley (d. 1887), John L. Sleight (1810-73), and Phillip Gildersleeve (1819-53). At the same time, they started the Texas and New York Packet Line with the firm of Brower and Neilson of New York, using a fleet of fast sailing ships. As brigs were withdrawn, the Hendleys and J.H. Brower built more suitable vessels of greater capacity and lighter draft. The firm spent $320,100 in just over ten years to lead in the growth of Galveston's maritime commerce. "The company had this three-story Greek revival commercial row built in 1855-58. It is comprised of four buildings, originally similar on the interior. Separated by fire walls, they share a uniform brick facade. The columns, cornices, and ornamentation are made of granite. "The row's cupola, since removed, served as a lookout post for both Confederate and Federal forces during the Civil War. After the war, Hendley's mercantile firm returned to the block. The row later housed offices of the First National Bank of Galveston, Col. William Moody, the US Corps of Engineers, the retail firm of Greenleve, Block & Co., and other businesses. "Recorded Texas Historic Landmark-1981" This is marker number 7487 and it was erected in 1981 by the Texas Historical Commission. [Review 873 of 2024 - 628 in Texas - 21902 overall]

This marker is on a street corner in front of a classic example of Galveston's architecture. There…read moreis plenty of metered parking nearby. The marker reads, "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 Galveston to supervise construction of two company projects, the First Presbyterian Church and the Tremont Hotel. Attracted by the city's vitality and growth, he stayed to open his own architectural office. "A tireless worker noted for his bold style, attention to detailing, and professionalism, Clayton designed elaborate churches, commercial structures and homes throughout Texas and the South. His most significant contribution, however, was his influence on Galveston's architecture. From the 1870s to the early twentieth century, a period known as the city's golden era, his distinctive style was dominant. "Examples of Clayton's work which still exist include the Walter Gresham House (Bishop's Palace), Ashbel Smith Building (Old Red), W. L. Moody Building, and the Trueheart-Adriance Building in Galveston; St. Mary's Cathedral and St. Edward's College (Old Main) in Austin; R. E. Stafford Bank and opera house in Columbus; and Sacred Heart Church in Palestine." This is marker 8235 and it was erected in 1982 by the Texas Historical Commission. [Review 878 of 2024 - 633 in Texas - 21907 overall]

One of a number of markers that stand in front of the Galveston County Courthouse, this one points…read moreout a local who worked towards the independence of the fledgling Republic of Texas. Did you know that Galveston was once the Capital of the Republic? The marker reads, "George Campbell Childress. (January 8, 1804 - October 6, 1841). Born into a prominent Nashville, Tennessee, family, George Campbell Childress attended Davidson Academy (later the University of Nashville). He was admitted to the bar in 1828, the same year he married Margaret Vance. She died in 1835, soon after the birth of a son. "Childress first visited Texas in 1834, at the urging of his uncle, Empresario Sterling Clark Robertson. He soon returned to Nashville, however, and worked as a newspaper editor. By January 1836, he had returned to Texas and settled in Robertson's colony. The following month Childress and Robertson were elected delegates to the Convention of 1836, where the Texas Declaration of Independence was adopted on March 2. Childress is considered to be the primary author of that document. "Sent by the Republic of Texas to attain recognition of the new country by the United States, Childress was unsuccessful and returned to Tennessee for a time. While there he married Rebecca Stuart Jennings. By 1841 Childress was in Galveston in an unsuccessful attempt to establish a law practice. Despondent over his financial situation, he committed suicide on Oct. 6 and was buried in an unmarked grave. Thirty-five years later Childress County was named in his honor. This is marker number 278 and it was erected in 1991 by the Texas Historical Commission. There is plenty of street parking nearby. [Review 1096 of 2024 - 662 in Texas - 22123 overall]