Explore Galveston's Historic Homes

Discover Galveston Through Historic Home Tours

By Cynthia J. Drake | Published on September 12, 2023

A city of surprises, historic Galveston has played host to Hollywood starlets, pirates, bootleggers, hardworking first-generation American entrepreneurs and more throughout the years. People flock here seeking respite on the stunning beaches and a place to realize their dreams. This seaside city's storied history is told through the architecture of Galveston's historic homes.

Join me on a guided tour of historic homes in Galveston, and a few of my favorite architectural wonders.

aerial view of Galveston Sea Wall and Beach. Galveston, Texas

This city by the sea has so much to see.

Start At The Beginning

Victorian Houses in Wealthy Neighborhood, Galveston, Texas

Much of Galveston's architecture was designed by Nicholas Clayton.

Though the average beachgoer might not realize it, Galveston is considered to have one of the most impressive examples of Victorian residential architecture in the U.S. When you visit, discover this for yourself by touring the impressive collection of historic homes in Galveston, in addition to churches and other buildings here on the island. A visit here will be enriched by learning the story of some of the island's most illustrious residents and longstanding architecture.

As you wander through beautiful Galveston, you may notice some of the architecture is similar to others, and you'd be right. The island is dotted with so many fine examples of architect Nicholas J. Clayton's designs — more than 150 from 1870 to 1900 — that the era has been dubbed the "Clayton Era" in Galveston. The Irish-born Clayton contributed his designs for many buildings, particularly Catholic cathedrals, throughout Texas. But Clayton's high Victorian style found a home in Galveston, where the rapid growth — thanks to the influx of immigrants through this busy port and a wealthy clientele seeking luxury homes on East Broadway — ensured that he and fellow architects had a blank canvas upon which to experiment and create their masterpieces.

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Tour Galveston's fine architecture before or after your cruise out of Texas.

A Glimpse At Galveston's Most Intriguing Historic Homes

Galveston is frozen in time.

Perhaps Galveston's most remarkable Victorian residential architecture designed by Clayton, the 1892 Bishop's Palace — also known as Gresham House or Gresham's Castle — cannot be missed on your Galveston trip. Located at 1402 Broadway in the East End Historic District, the intricate wood carved and glowing stained-glass details throughout its three stories are truly breathtaking.

The home was commissioned by railroad magnate Walter Gresham and later housed the local bishop. It survived the 1900 Galveston hurricane — one of the deadliest natural disasters in U.S. history — during which Gresham is said to have provided refuge at his home for Galvestonians who lost theirs. Bishop's Palace is open for self-guided historic home tours in Galveston Wednesday through Monday. A Basement to Attic Tour, giving access to areas usually off limits to the public, is hosted by the Galveston Historical Society twice per month.

Moody Mansion is available for tours seven days a week.

Just one mile down west on Broadway, you'll arrive at Moody Mansion, another one of Galveston's greatest architectural hits. Visitors can roam the 28,000-square-foot 1895 home and its 20 rooms, where one of Texas's most influential families once lived. William Lewis Moody Jr. was an entrepreneur who went on to be named one of the 10 wealthiest men in America. While touring this historic Galveston mansion, you can envision — with the aid of historic artifacts — what it was like to receive formal cards from callers on a silver-plated tray or to celebrate daughter Mary's society debut in 1911. The mansion is open seven days a week for self-guided historic mansion tours, and weekend all-access two-hour tours are also available.

While touring this historic Galveston mansion you can envision, with the aid of historic artifacts, what it was like to receive formal cards from callers on a silver-plated tray.

Learn The Legends Behind Historic Homes

Vintage homes in the historical district. Galveston, Texas.

The legends behind Galveston's history are fascinating.

According to one legend, the erection of the mansion now known as Open Gates began with a challenge from Magnolia Sealy to her husband, influential Galveston businessman George Sealy: "Sir, I'll give you a second son if you'll build me the finest home in Galveston," she is alleged to have said. The neo-Renaissance mansion was designed by New York architect Stanford White in 1889 with a carriage house designed by architect Clayton completed in 1891 (the year the Sealys welcomed a second son, in addition to their five daughters). The exterior decor, which boasts terracotta roof tiles and sun-ray ornamentation, complements Galveston's temperate climate. Open Gates is currently owned and occupied by the University of Texas and is not open for public tours, though there's much to be admired from the outside.

Complete the Broadway mansion circuit with Ashton Villa, an Italianate three-story structure with wrought iron front-facing balconies that feel a bit like neighboring port city New Orleans. Built in 1859, it's the oldest of this group of historic mansions and was one of the first known brick buildings in the state of Texas. It was built by James M. Brown for his family, and its Grand Ballroom hosted many legendary Galveston parties in its heyday. It is not available for public tours, but due to a persistent supernatural legend of one of Brown's daughters, it's an occasional stop on Galveston ghost tours.

To see Galveston's oldest home, head to the Michel B. Menard House on 33rd Street, which was constructed in 1839 for a Canadian fur trader and a founder of the city of Galveston. Its four columns herald the home's Greek Revival style. Though it's not the most lavish of all of Galveston's historic homes, the furniture and artifacts inside are authentic to the time period. The home is not available for regular public tours, but occasional private events are held here and visitors can take a glimpse of the exterior on a walking tour.

Other Must-See Historic Stops On Your Galveston Tour

Spot Galveston's tree sculptures on your tours.

Galveston is such a walkable city, and a self-guided tour is definitely doable to see many places in just one day, before or after your cruise. Though Segway, bicycle, walking, and ghost tours abound in historic Galveston, a somewhat unusual — and tangentially architecture-related — self-guided tour is the Tree Sculpture Tour, showcasing imaginative sculptures transformed by once-towering oak trees that were taken down during Hurricane Ike in 2008. Galveston homeowners and artists made the best out of a bad situation and used the tree waste to dream up these whimsical sculptures. These intriguing tree sculptures are all over the city — can you spot them all?

While you cruise out of Galveston and tour the key historic sites, be sure to visit The Bryan Museum, a repository for some of the world's most robust collections of American West memorabilia and artwork all housed in the former Galveston Orphans Home. The home was built in 1902 to replace its former location, which was destroyed during the devastating hurricane of 1900. The Bryan Museum bought the building in 2013 and has preserved it in the condition it was in way back when it was used as an orphanage. Today, you can explore the museum exhibits that focus on uniquely Galveston ephemera. Recent exhibits focus on 140 years of swimwear and Galveston beachside bathing machines, which ensured modesty for changing into swimsuits during the Victorian era. If you can, stop by the conservatory, a beautiful glass-domed building with chandeliers.

The Grand 1894 Opera House is on Postoffice Street, just a few blocks from the historic Strand District in Galveston's downtown Cultural Arts District. Deemed the "Official Opera House of the State of Texas," the Grand still operates year-round, hosting musical acts, theatrical performances and more. Visitors can marvel at the Romanesque Revival style with original stone and terracotta trim designed by New Orleans architect Frank Cox.

There are so many ways to immerse yourself in historic Galveston and find out what makes this city just so exciting. Put on your walking shoes, grab your camera, and discover Galveston, Texas.

Written By

CYNTHIA J. DRAKE

Cynthia J. Drake is an award-winning freelance writer in Austin, Texas, whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Wine Enthusiast, House Beautiful, Southern Living, Cruise Critic, AAA, Texas Monthly, and others. She specializes in writing about food, cruise travel, family travel, and off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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