East End

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George Washington Grover House, 1520 Market Street, was built in 1859. It is one of the first brick homes built in Galveston. (Photo taken in 2016)

George Washington Grover House, 1520 Market Street, was built in 1859. It is one of the first brick homes built in Galveston. (Photo taken in 2016)

The East End Historic District of Galveston encompasses a large 19th-century residential area. Roughly bounded by 11th Street, Broadway Blvd., 19th and 16th streets, and Market and Postoffice streets, the area has one of the best-preserved and largest concentrations of 19th-century residential architecture in Texas. It was developed mainly at a time when Galveston was the state's preeminent port.

The Issac Heffron House, located at 1520 Postoffice Street, was built in 1890. (Photo taken in 2016)

The Issac Heffron House, located at 1520 Postoffice Street, was built in 1890. (Photo taken in 2016)

The densely populated East End suffered significant damage in the Great Fire of 1885, with houses destroyed from 16th to 20th streets and from The Strand past Broadway. The tight grid pattern of lots and the existence of multiple alley residences made fighting the fire difficult within the neighborhood. Rebuilding was swift, with entire blocks rebuilt in 1886. This provided a great opportunity for local architects, such as Nicholas Clayton, Alfred Muller and George Stowe, to design elegant Victorian residences throughout the district.

The historic district, designated locally in 1970, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and declared a National Historic Landmark in 1976.

Significant and representative properties, some of which are individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places or as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark include: Bishop’s Palace at 1402 Broadway, George Washington Grover House, at 1520 Market Street and the Issac Heffron House at 1509 Postoffice Street.

East End Historical District Association
EEHDA was formed in 1974 to preserve and maintain the heritage and livability of the East End Neighborhood. Though historical preservation is an important goal of the EEHDA, an equally important goal is to provide a high quality of life for all residents – regardless of age, ethnic background,and interest in historical preservation or EEHDA membership. For example the block parties are open to the public, with nonmembers as well as people living outside the east end encouraged to attend. The EEHDA seeks to accomplish this goal by working closely with city agencies, including the Galveston Police Department, City Council and the Landmark Commission, as well as surrounding historic neighborhoods.