by Alix Adams (Photo of the Ashbel Smith Building by Nsaum75)
Welcome to “You Should Move To…”, in which we travel the country scoping out beautiful, under-the-radar old house towns where big charm can be had for little cost. Have a city, town or neighborhood to recommend? Send it along to [email protected]!
Galveston is a small barrier island town on the coast of Texas just fifty miles outside of Houston. With a population of around 40,000, Galveston boasts tight-knit charm along with miles and miles of beaches and an eclectic built environment that would make even the mildest old house fan weak in the knees.
Beautiful Victorian homes line Post Office Street in Galveston. Photo by Laura Scudder.
Tell me this isn’t the pink mansion you’ve always needed in your life. Guess what — it’s for sale! Full listing HERE.
Founded in 1836, the island’s first European settlements were constructed around 1816 by French pirate Louis-Michel Aury to help the Republic of Mexico gain their independence. Following successful independence from Spain, the Port of Galveston was established and went on to serve as the main port for the Texas Navy during the Texas Revolution and as the capital of the Republic of Texas. The port served as one of America’s largest during the 19th century and now attracts millions of visitors a year. It’s a place with rich history and as a result, various architectural influences.
Downtown Galveston. SWOON. Photo by arscheffield.
The landscape is diverse, so if it’s a quaint Queen Anne on a mossy oak lined street you’re envisioning, you’ll find that on the east end of the island. If you’re picturing yourself beachfront on the sparkling Gulf of Mexico, head to the west end! Known as “The Playground of the South” in the late 1800s (I’m picturing streets lined with monkey bars right now), a nice balance has been achieved between appealing to tourists and forging a strong local community that hangs around once summer’s gone.
The c. 1884 Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Photo by Michael Price.
There’s something for everyone in Galveston — especially if you’re interested in buying a gorgeous old house!
Dreamy Victorian cottages abound in Galveston! Photo by Laura Scudder.
Galveston boasts one of the largest and most significant collections of 19th century architecture in the United States. There are six large historic districts boasting over 60 individual structures on the National Register of Historic Places. The East End Historic District is comprised of over fifty blocks of tree-lined charm and architectural treasures ranging from 1850s-era Greek Revivals to ornate Victorians and including other late nineteenth century dormered cottages, gable houses and shot-gun houses, (known as commissary houses here) as well as the work of architect Nicholas Clayton.
Downtown Galveston is too gorgeous for words! Photo courtesy of Galveston.com.
The c. 1882 Stewart Building in the Strand Historic District. Photo by i_am_jim.
The Strand Historic District is comprised of Victorian era structures adaptively reused as restaurants, antique stores, art galleries, museums and more. It is referred to as “The Strand” and the five-block district has become the island’s shopping and entertainment mecca.
The c. 1886 Franklin-Wandless House. Photo by i_am_jim.
Best of all, Galveston has a very strong and nationally recognized preservation and conservation movement led by the Galveston Historical Foundation. Housed in the 1940 Sears Building at the intersection of 23rd and Broadway, there’s even an Architectural Salvage Warehouse on the first floor where donated historic materials are sold for repair, rehabilitation and preservation projects in Galveston. All proceeds go towards the Galveston Historic Foundation Preservation and Conservation operating funds and classes are even provided offering how-to instruction and lessons on local architecture and historical significance.
Trube Castle, c. 1890. Photo by Nsaum75.
The city’s oldest house is the c. 1838 home of Michel Menard, one of Galveston’s founders. Photo by i_am_jim.
Isn’t it a wonderful thing that the community takes such pride in its built environment and works together to maintain it? And doesn’t that sound like the kind of place you’d want to move to?
This Victorian beauty is for sale $225,000. Full listing HERE.
How about the 1886 William Pautch Cottage? It’s for sale for $285,000. Full listing HERE.
If dreamy bungalows are more your style, this c. 1932 beauty can be yours for $179,900. Full listing HERE.
What gets me is how very affordable it would be to relocate to Galveston immediately. I love the kitschy feel of the traditional Victorians painted with bright, tropical colors like here and here and they’re both around $300,000 or less!
Architectural splendor in the East End Historic District. Photo by Rwminix.
The variety of styles available is really exciting, too, like this great c. 1915 Craftsman for under $350,000. This raised cottage is also such a cute vernacular style and a low, low $150,000! What are you waiting for?
Galveston’s c. 1880 octagonal Garten Verein. Photo by i_am_jim
With a subtropical climate and endless avenues for strolling and staring, living on island time sounds wonderful! Living on island time in one of these wonderful homes — now that’s got me thinking about a move to Galveston.
OLD HOUSES FOR SALE IN GALVESTON, TX:
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3202 AVE N
$269,000, c. 1898
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2324 BERNARDO DE GALVEZ AVE
$329,000, c. 1915
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1114 POST OFFICE ST
$189,000, c. 1888
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1620 SEALY ST
$379,500, c. 1896
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3215 AVE P 1/2
$314,500, c. 1898
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2401 38TH ST
$249,950, c. 1914
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1627 CHURCH ST
$375,000, c. 1908
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1124 24TH ST
$675,000, c. 1868
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3219 AVE Q
$219,800, c. 1914
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2405 38TH ST
$235,000, c. 1900
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1711 21ST ST
$229,000, c. 1905
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1211 14TH ST
$120,000, c. 1910
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1414 WINNIE ST
$319,000, c. 1907
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1806 AVE M
$365,000, c. 1886
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2409 38TH ST
$145,000, c. 1915
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3421 AVE P
$249,000, c. 1898
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3516 AVE O
$175,000, c. 1900
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2612 AVE N
$212,500, c. 1901
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1807 AVE L
$239,500, c. 1887
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1515 AVE M
$435,000, c. 1907
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12 CEDAR LAWN CIR
$349,500, c. 1900
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823 BALL ST
$249,500, c. 1913
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1522 BALL ST
$425,000, c. 1886
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1821 BALL ST
$307,000, c. 1892
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2901 BROADWAY ST
$499,000, c. 1891
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3824 O 1/2
$209,950, c. 1904
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5906 AVE R
$62,500, c. 1940
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3018 AVE O 1/2 AVE
$169,000, c. 1895
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2020 BROADWAY ST
$369,000, c. 1904
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1601 WINNIE ST
$325,000, c. 1894
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1923 AVE M
$499,000, c. 1886
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1003 SEALY ST AVE
$179,500, c. 1903
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1616 BROADWAY ST
$499,500, c. 1928
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2301 32ND ST
$159,900, c. 1915
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3125 AVE O
$249,500, c. 1914
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1311 18TH ST
$157,000, c. 1894
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AUTHOR ALIX ADAMS
Alix hails from Charleston, South Carolina. She earned degrees in Historic Preservation and Art History from the College of Charleston and continues to be captivated by the city’s old-world values and architecture as they brush up against the new. She lives in an 1890 Charleston Single with her Sheltie Oliver and prefers to make the commute to work on her shiny red bike.
