The East End Historical District Association will have its “A Victorian Christmas” Homes Tour from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 4 in Galveston. There will be five homes, including 1517 Postoffice St. and 1521 Postoffice St., on the tour.
GALVESTON — Galveston’s East End Historical District Association will have its 20th annual “A Victorian Christmas” Homes Tour featuring five East End homes decorated for the Christmas season from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 4.
The architecture of the East End reflects some of the city’s most notable examples of residential Victorian architecture, a variety of styles and periods, with the earliest being examples of Greek Revival style built during the 1850s.
Also featured on the tour will be St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 1425 Broadway, which was built in 1902 after the original building was destroyed in the 1900 Storm. Seasonal music will be preformed at the church, and refreshments will be served at the 1896 East End Cottage, 1501 Postoffice St.
Decorated homes on this year’s tour include the home at 1204 Sealy. This folk Victorian house was built after the Civil War by Henry W. Rhodes, a partner in the Galveston law firm of Wheeler and Rhodes.
For the first time, twin homes will be featured on this year’s tour. The homes at 1517 and 1521 Postoffice St. built in 1914 by druggist Edmund J. Cordray, became the Cordray family enclave. His mother-in-law lived next door at 1515 Postoffice.
After the 1885 fire, L.W. Senechal built his grocery store at the corner of 16th and Winnie streets. In 1907, he built the featured cottage at 1608 Winnie and in 1914 built its duplicate at 1606 Winnie. The current owners have restored this home to the truest and most authentic restoration of a small Victorian home. It is a must-see on this year’s tour.
Axel F. Roempke built a house at 1316 Ball in 1894-95. Roempke was a cashier for the insurance company of Beers & Kenison and built this home for his bride.
Tickets are $15 and must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the homes. Tickets are available for purchase only through The Grand 1894 Opera House. Call 409-765-1894 or 800-821-1894.
