In the late 1800's Galveston was the largest city in Texas.
Most of the cotton in Texas left though the port here, making the city home to investors. The economy was booming and the wealthy built homes that are still standing today.
The Trube Castle on Broadway
This is a private residence.
Ashton Villa, built in 1858, was the first brick house in Texas. It's now a Visitor's Center.
Just look at the intricate wood on this home.
Many homes in Galveston were destroyed in the 1900 hurricane and rebuilt in the Victorian style. There are entire neighborhoods that are filled with beautiful homes, and other eye-catchers sprinkled in among ordinary houses. There are grand 3 story "painted ladies" next door to humble little structures in sad need of repair.
Above is a row of businesses on Post Office Street.
Post Office is now lined with restaurants, art galleries and upper end retailers, but it was once the city's red light district. One of the antique stores we visited claimed to have been a bordello. The second story was filled with very small bedrooms; at least a dozen; and two bathrooms - a men's and a women's.
Boarding houses were built that way, too--many small bedrooms and 2 baths and a large dining room downstairs for community meals. We stayed in one in Mississippi once when I was much younger. I'm sure many boarding houses became bordellos.
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures. makes me want to visit Galveston.