Strand Historic District

The Strand Historic District
The Strand
The Strand Historic District is located in Texas
The Strand Historic District
The Strand Historic District
The Strand Historic District is located in the United States
The Strand Historic District
The Strand Historic District
LocationRoughly bounded by Ave. A, 20th St., alley between Aves. C and D, and railroad depot, Galveston, Texas
Area45 acres (18 ha)
Built1850 (1850)
ArchitectMultiple
Architectural styleGreek Revival, Late Victorian, Beaux-Arts
NRHP reference No.70000748[1]
Significant dates
Designated NHLDMay 11, 1976
Designated HDJanuary 26, 1970

The Strand Historic District, also known as the Strand District, in downtown Galveston, Texas (USA), is a National Historic Landmark District of mainly Victorian era buildings that now house restaurants, antique stores, and curio shops. The area is a major tourist attraction for the island city and also plays host to two very popular seasonal festivals. It is widely considered the island's shopping and entertainment center. The district includes properties along the south side of Harborside Drive (Avenue A) and both sides of The Strand (Avenue B) and Mechanic Street (Avenue C) from 20th Street westward to 26th Street.

The street labeled "The Strand" is actually named Avenue B, which runs parallel to Galveston Bay.[2]

The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976 for its unparalleled collection of commercial Victorian architecture in Texas, and its role as the state's major port in the 19th century.[3][4]

Today "the Strand" is generally used to refer to the entire five-block business district between 20th and 25th streets in downtown Galveston, very close to the city's wharf.

  1. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. November 2, 2013.
  2. ^ Hartman, Betty. "The Strand". Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved January 8, 2007.
  3. ^ "Strand Historic District". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. Retrieved September 7, 2009.
  4. ^ Carolyn Pitts (February 11, 1976). National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: The Strand Historic District (pdf). National Park Service. and Accompanying 11 photos from 1969 (32 KB)