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National Register of Historic Places listings in Galveston County, Texas facts for kids

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Map of Texas highlighting Galveston County
Location of Galveston County in Texas

Galveston County, Texas, is full of amazing places that tell stories about the past! This list is all about the special buildings, areas, and even ships in Galveston County that are so important, they've been added to the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a Hall of Fame for historic spots across the United States. When a place is on this list, it means it's super important for history, architecture, or even what it means to a community. Let's explore some of these cool places!

What Makes a Place Historic?

When a building or area gets listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it means it's been recognized as a special part of history. These places help us understand how people lived, worked, and built things a long time ago. They might be old homes, churches, public buildings, or even parts of a city. Protecting these places helps us remember and learn from the past.

Famous Historic Spots in Galveston

Galveston Island and nearby areas in Galveston County have many incredible historic sites. Here are some of the most interesting ones:

Grand Buildings

  • Ashton Villa: This beautiful old mansion at 2328 Broadway in Galveston was built way back in 1859. It's one of the first grand homes in Galveston and has seen a lot of history, including the Civil War and the Great Storm of 1900. It's a great example of old Southern architecture.
  • Bishop's Palace: Located at 1402 Avenue J (Broadway), this stunning Victorian house is also known as Gresham's Castle. It was built between 1887 and 1892 and looks like something out of a fairy tale! It's famous for its unique design and fancy details.
  • Galvez Hotel: Standing proudly at 2024 Seawall Boulevard, the Galvez Hotel opened in 1911. It was built after the devastating 1900 storm to help Galveston rebuild and attract visitors. It's a beautiful landmark right on the beach.
  • Grand Opera House: Found at 2012-2020 Avenue E, this historic theater opened in 1894. It's still a place where people can enjoy live shows and performances today. It's often called "The Grand 1894 Opera House."
  • Rosenberg Library: Located at 2310 Sealy Street, the Rosenberg Library is one of the oldest public libraries in Texas. It first opened in 1904 and has been a center for learning and community ever since.
  • St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica: This impressive church at 2011 Church Avenue was built in 1847. It's one of the oldest Catholic churches in Texas and has a very grand and historic feel.
  • Willis-Moody Mansion: You can find this mansion at 2618 Broadway. It was built in 1895 and was home to the powerful Moody family, who were very important in Galveston's history.

Important Ships

  • SS ELISSA: This tall ship is docked at Pier 21 in Galveston. The Elissa is a real sailing ship built in 1877! It's one of the oldest ships still sailing today and offers a glimpse into what sea travel was like long ago.
  • USS CAVALLA (submarine): Located at Seawolf Park, this submarine (SS-244) played a big role in World War II. You can visit it and learn about life underwater during wartime.
  • USS STEWART: Also at Seawolf Park, the USS Stewart (DE-238) is a destroyer escort ship from World War II. It's another amazing example of naval history that you can explore.
  • SS SELMA (steamship): This unique ship, built in 1919, is special because it's made of concrete! It's a rare example of ships built during World War I when steel was scarce.

Cool Outdoor Spots

  • Galveston Causeway: This long bridge connects Galveston Island to the mainland. It was built in 1912 and was a huge engineering feat for its time, making it easier for people to get to and from the island.
  • Galveston Seawall: After the devastating 1900 hurricane, Galveston built this massive seawall along Seawall Boulevard to protect the city from future storms. It's a famous landmark and a symbol of Galveston's resilience.
  • Fort Travis: Located in Port Bolivar, this old fort was built to protect Galveston Bay. It played a role in both World War I and World War II.
  • Point Bolivar Lighthouse: Also in Port Bolivar, this lighthouse helped guide ships safely into Galveston Bay for many years. It's a tall, historic structure that once shone a light for sailors.
  • The Strand Historic District: This area in downtown Galveston, roughly bounded by Avenue A and 20th Street, is filled with historic buildings that were once busy shops and businesses. It's a lively place today, still keeping its old charm.

Places We Lost

Sadly, some historic places in Galveston County have been removed from the National Register. This usually happens if they are destroyed or damaged beyond repair. For example, three places were lost during Hurricane Ike in 2008, a powerful storm that hit the coast.

  • Balinese Room: This famous pier-based nightclub was a popular spot for entertainment in Galveston. It was destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008.
  • The Breakers: Located in Caplen, this building was also lost to Hurricane Ike.
  • Moser House: Another historic home in Caplen that was destroyed by Hurricane Ike.
  • Ursuline Academy: This school in Galveston was badly damaged by Hurricane Carla in 1961 and later torn down in 1974.

Images for kids

  • Ashton Villa Galveston Texas

    Ashton Villa

  • Henry Beissner House

    Henry Beissner House

  • Bishops Palace (1 of 1)

    Bishop's Palace

  • Building at 1921-1921 One-Half Avenue D, Galveston

    Building at 1921-1921 1/2 Avenue D

  • Building at 1925-1927 Market Street (1 of 1)

    Building at 1925-1927 Market Street

  • Cementery Historic District Galveston (1 of 1)

    Cemetery Historic District

  • GalvestonCityHall

    Galveston City Hall

  • City National Bank Building, Galveston

    City National Bank

  • Colonel Walter Gresham House, 1402 Broadway, Galveston (Galveston County, Texas)

    East End Historic District

  • BallingerBldgGalvestonTX

    Eiband's

  • Elissa-ship

    The ELISSA

  • First-Evagelical-Lutheran-Church Vertical-Panaramio-

    First Evangelical Lutheran Church

  • First Presbyterian Church (1 of 1)

    First Presbyterian Church

  • Fort Travis Seashore Park, Battery for Ordnance Storage

    Fort Travis

  • Old Causeway, Galveston

    Galveston Causeway

  • Children's-Home-George-Dealey

    Galveston Orphans Home

  • No. 3, Sea Wall, From West of Rapid Fire Battery, Fort Crockett - NARA - 278143

    Galveston Seawall

  • Galveston Federal Building 2009

    Galveston US Post Office, Custom House and Courthouse

  • Hotel galvez

    Galvez Hotel

  • Galveston-Garten-Verein

    Garten Verein Pavilion

  • Grace Episcopal Church, Galveston, Texas

    Grace Episcopal Church

  • 1894 Grand Opera House Galveston

    Grand Opera House

  • Hagemann Cobb House

    John Hagemann House

  • House at 2017-2023 Avenue I, Galveston

    House at 2017-2023 Avenue I

  • House at 2428 Postoffice Galveston

    House at 2528 Postoffice St.

  • Hutchings House

    Sealy Hutchings House

  • Illies Building-Justine Apartments

    Illies Building-Justine Apartments

  • Daniel Webster Kemper House

    Daniel Webster Kempner House

  • Jean Lafitte Hotel, Galveston

    Jean Lafitte Hotel

  • Lasker Home for Children

    Lasker Home for Homeless Children

  • C-F-Marschner-Building

    Marschner Building

  • McKinney-McDonald House, Galveston

    McKinney-McDonald House

  • Melrose Apartment Building, Galveston

    Melrose Apartment Building

  • Home of Michael Branamour Menard, Galveston

    Michel B. Menard House

  • Model Laundry, Galveston

    Model Laundry

  • 1861 Galveston Customs and Courthouse

    Old Galveston Customhouse

  • Pix Building

    Pix Building

  • Bolivarpoint

    Point Bolivar Lighthouse

  • Powhatan House Hotel, Galveston, Texas

    Powhatan House

  • Reedy Chapel A. M. E. Church, Galveston, Texas

    Reedy Chapel-AME Church

  • Robinson Building Galveston

    Robinson Building

  • Rosenberg Library2008

    Rosenberg Library

  • Scottish Rite Masonry

    Scottish Rite Cathedral

  • George Sealy House, Galveston, Texas

    George Sealy House

  • M. W. Shaw Building

    M. W. Shaw Building

  • Ashbel Smith Building UTMB Galveston

    Ashbel Smith Building

  • S.S. Selma, Galveston, TX - DSC 0125

    SS SELMA (steamship)

  • St. Joseph German Catholic Church Galveston

    St. Joseph's Church

  • St Mary's Cathedral Basilica, Galveston

    St. Mary's Cathedral

  • Star Drug Store, Galveston

    Star Drug Store

  • Steffens Drewa House, Galveston

    Steffens-Drewa House Complex

  • Galvestonstrand2

    The Strand Historic District

  • Sweeney-Royston House

    Sweeney-Royston House

  • Texas Heroes Monument

    Texas Heroes Monument

  • Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church

    Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church

  • Trueheart Adriance Building, Galveston, Texas

    Trueheart-Adriance Building

  • Frost-USNB Building Galveston

    U.S. National Bank

  • USS Cavalla;0824408

    USS CAVALLA (submarine)

  • USS Hatteras sinking

    USS HATTERAS (41GV68)

  • USS Stewart (DE-238) underway c1944

    USS STEWART

  • Samuel May Williams Home

    Samuel May Williams House

  • The William Lewis Moody Home

    Willis-Moody Mansion

  • Balinese room galveston

    Balinese Room (former listing)

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National Register of Historic Places listings in Galveston County, Texas Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.