Book gives reader a glimpse into Galveston’s past

A city’s character is defined by its people and places. What do you think of when someone asks about Galveston?

What makes it different from other cities and draws people here? Is it the beach? The Strand? The historic buildings and the local shops in them?

All of these work together to define Galveston as we know it.

Without landmarks like the Hotel Galvez, “Old Red,” Bishop’s Palace and Ashton Villa and its historic neighborhoods, Galveston would be less special, and more like any other town.

Although many of Galveston’s historic buildings remain, fires, storms and development have claimed many losses through the years.

A new 128-page book by Arcadia Publishing and the Galveston Historical Foundation chronicles more than 200 of these buildings and gives the reader a glimpse into Galveston’s past.

After buying a house in Galveston from my great-aunt in late August 2000, I arrived just in time to see the commemoration of the 1900 Storm.

Living in Houston for three years, I had heard of the storm but knew little more than what was reported in the news or on a tour of a historic site.

The death, destruction and tales of survivors captured my imagination as I tried to place where these events took place that September and in the aftermath.

Like many people who visit or move to Galveston, I read every book about the city’s history that I could find.

Galveston is a city that cannot be separated from its past. Even today, it is surprising that so much of Texas’ early history took place here and how much that is taken for granted as we go about our daily business.

I saw the work of Galveston Historical Foundation and became a volunteer for Dickens on The Strand and the Historic Homes Tour. I soon realized the foundation is a national leader and role model in historic preservation.

When you mention Galveston to anyone familiar with preservation across the country, they know who we are and what we do.

Taking a job with an architecture firm on the island in 2002 gave me a chance to become more involved with the organization and to serve on its board of directors.

It also allowed me to dispute popular myths like “GHF tells you what color to paint your house” or “GHF governs the historic districts” — both of these are not true.

I later joined the foundation in November 2004 as director of preservation and conservation services.

I was amazed by people like local real estate agent David Bowers, who could describe a house and the decade it was built upon hearing an address.

Over time, that would be a skill I would develop to some extent, and it became a useful tool when someone would ask questions about a property that was their grandparents or that they had just bought.

It also allowed me to recognize buildings that were no longer around and question where they once stood.

Images for “Lost Galveston” come primarily from the foundation’s Preservation Resource Center, which offers photos, property files, neighborhood surveys and books on Galveston’s neighborhoods, architecture and other historic preservation topics.

We’re always looking for more material to add to the foundation’s collection. There can be more information in photographs or books than most people realize.

Family photos and city directories might give clues that help someone find information about their ancestors or a building they have been seeking.

Families often took photos in front of their houses, and it’s what is in the background that might solve a mystery and even allow owners to rebuild missing elements.

We encourage people to share their photos with the foundation — even if they just allow us to scan the items so they can keep the originals.

This allows us to use the information and share it with the public. If anything ever happens to the original, they have a backup in the foundation’s preservation resource center.

Several people involved in historic preservation have loaned or donated pieces of buildings to the foundation for the “Lost Galveston” exhibit at the foundation’s headquarters in the 1861 U.S. Custom House.

Artifacts from a dozen lost buildings range from pieces of former Broadway mansions to a detail of St. Mary’s Hospital to parts of Ursuline Academy, one of Galveston’s most lamented architectural losses.

The exhibit is open to the public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday free of charge.

Galveston’s history is like a crossword puzzle, where the names and places are intertwined.

It is through photographs, newspapers and books that we are able to piece together much of Galveston’s past.

I hope readers will visit the sites where these photos were taken and imagine what it would be like if the buildings still were there.

One of my goals with the book is to not only to show what has been demolished, but also show why it is important to continue to preserve the many historic buildings that still survive in Galveston and so clearly define its character.

Would a drive down Broadway be the same without the Texas Heroes Monument at Rosenberg Avenue?

In 1967, a city commission considered removing the granite and bronze monument from the intersection, to make it easier for drivers to make a left turn.

Dedicated on San Jacinto Day, 1900, it was designed by Louis Amateis, who also designed the west, main bronze doors of the U.S. Capitol.

Brian Davis is director of preservation and conservation services at Galveston Historical Foundation.

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At A Glance

WHAT: “Lost Galveston,” by Arcadia Publishing and the Galveston Historical Foundation

WHEN: The book will be released the week of July 19.

DETAILS: A new 128-page book chronicles more than 200 historic buildings and gives the reader a glimpse into Galveston’s past. An accompanying post card series also will be released in conjunction with the book, featuring 15 images from the foundation’s collection.

COST: Book, $21.99; post card series, $7.99

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WHAT: “Lost Galveston” exhibit

WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

WHERE: 1861 Custom House, 502 20th St., in Galveston

COST: Free

CALL: 409-765-7834

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WHAT: “Lost Galveston” reception

WHEN: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 31

WHERE: 1861 Custom House, 502 20th St., in Galveston

DETAILS: The reception will feature a lecture by the author, a book-signing and an exhibit of “Lost Galveston” artifacts.

COST: Free

CALL: 409-765-7834