Strand Historic District facts for kids
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The Strand Historic District
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2300 block, The Strand
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Ave. A, 20th St., alley between Aves. C and D, and railroad depot, Galveston, Texas |
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| Area | 45 acres (18 ha) |
| Built | 1850 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Late Victorian, Beaux-Arts |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000748 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Designated NHLD | May 11, 1976 |
| Designated HD | January 26, 1970 |
The Strand Historic District in downtown Galveston, Texas, is a special area with many old buildings. Most of these buildings are from the Victorian era. Today, they are home to fun restaurants, antique shops, and unique stores.
This district is a big tourist attraction for Galveston Island. It also hosts two popular yearly festivals. Many people think it is the main shopping and entertainment spot on the island. The district covers streets like Harborside Drive (Avenue A), The Strand (Avenue B), and Mechanic Street (Avenue C). It stretches from 20th Street to 26th Street.
Even though it's called "The Strand," the street's real name is Avenue B. It runs right next to Galveston Bay. This area was named a National Historic Landmark in 1976. It has some of the best Victorian buildings in Texas. It was also a very important port in the 1800s.
Today, "the Strand" usually means the whole five-block business area. This area is between 20th and 25th streets in downtown Galveston. It is very close to the city's wharf.
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The Story of The Strand: A Look Back
The city of Galveston was first planned in the late 1830s. The plans included a street called Avenue B. A German immigrant named Michael William Shaw gave Avenue B the name "Strand." He owned a jewelry store at 23rd and Avenue B.
Shaw thought "Strand" sounded more fancy, like a street in London. He convinced other business owners to use the name too, and it stuck! The word strand actually means "shore" or "river bank" in old languages.
Early Buildings and Growth
The first buildings on the Strand were mostly made of wood. This made them easy to damage by fires and storms. These events happened often in the 1800s. Over time, stronger brick buildings with iron fronts replaced the wooden ones. The two oldest buildings still standing on the Strand today were built in 1855 and 1858. Many other historic buildings are from the 1870s and 1880s.
Galveston was a busy port city in the 1800s. The Strand, being close to the harbor, became the main business hub. For a while, people called it the "Wall Street of the South." This was because so many important businesses were located there.
The Port of Galveston was very busy, with hundreds of ships arriving each year. This made the Strand a popular place for big businesses. It had the state's five largest banks, many wholesalers, and cotton brokers. In 1881, businesses in the Strand district sold about US$38 million worth of goods and services.
The Civil War and Recovery
Because it was so close to Galveston's harbor, the Strand area was damaged during the American Civil War. Union forces blocked the city, and battles took place. During the Battle of Galveston, Confederate soldiers fought from all over the area. Some buildings were hit by shots and shelling.
Many businesses had to close and move to nearby Houston until the war ended. But most moved back to the Strand and became successful again. This lasted until the early 1900s.
The Great Storm of 1900
The 1900 Galveston hurricane was a terrible disaster for the city. The Strand district was also badly hit. Many buildings were severely damaged. Some lost entire floors, and others lost their fancy decorations.
After the storm, many businesses decided to move away from the wharf and the Strand. The area then became mostly a warehouse district. It stayed that way until the 1960s. That's when the Junior League of Galveston County started to restore two buildings.
This restoration effort began a big project to bring the Strand back to life. It is still going on today. In 1973, the Galveston Historical Foundation also started a fund. This fund helped with major restorations of the Strand district. It also encouraged many private investors to help.
The Strand Today: Fun and History
Today, the Strand is a lively place. It has many shops, historical exhibits, museums, art galleries, restaurants, and night clubs. It is also famous for its annual Mardi Gras celebration. Another popular event is Dickens on the Strand, a Christmas festival. During this festival, people dress up in Victorian clothes to celebrate the city's history.
There are many fun things to do in the area. You can visit The Galveston County Museum or the Galveston Railroad Museum. You can admire the beautiful Victorian architecture. There are also horse and carriage rides and historical markers. An old-fashioned trolley can take you around. You can even play on a giant chess set in Saengerfest Park.
The historic district also has many different stores. You can find clothing, factory outlets, souvenir shops, art galleries, and antique galleries.
Near the edges of the Strand is the Post Office district. This area is known for its antique and art galleries. It is also home to the Grand 1894 Opera House. Closer to the water is Pier 21. Here, you can watch movies like The Great Storm of 1900 and The Pirate Island of Jean Lafitte. You can also visit the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum and the Texas Seaport Museum. The Texas Seaport Museum has the tall ship Elissa.
In 2008, Hurricane Ike caused a lot of damage to the Strand. Because of this, the National Trust for Historic Preservation added the district to its 2009 list of America's Most Endangered Places.
Images for kids
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2300 block, The Strand
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A historical marker on the Strand's old Mallory Produce building (now a curio shop). It shows a medallion meaning the building survived the 1900 hurricane.
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A street performer on the Strand
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Playing chess at Saengerfest Park on the Strand
