The Strand National Historic Landmark District, Galveston

The Strand is a popular tourist area that recalls the history of Galveston Island. Warehouses, banks and traders were once housed in the buildings that today contain restaurants, specialty shops, and tourist sites. In the late 19th century, The Strand was the city's business district. Located a block away from the busy seaport, shippers unloaded merchandise from around the world and took a cargo of Texas cotton. Bankers and traders filled the buildings of the Strand, so many that it was known as the "Wall Street of the Southwest."

Today trolleys clang along the historic streets, transporting visitors along the district filled with specialty shops and restaurants housed in one of the nation's largest collections of Victorian commercial architecture. One of the most noted buildings in the area is The Grand 1894 Opera House, which has been restored to its turn of the century look when it hosted performers including Sarah Bernhardt, John Philip Sousa, and Anna Pavlova.

Many travelers visit the Strand for a half day of shopping and lunch; we especially enjoyed the waterfront attractions.

The Elissa, the restored tall ship, is well worth the visit. Travelers can board the 1877 ship for a self-guided tour.

The adjacent Seaport Museum is small but has some nice exhibits on the history of the island and its role both in immigration and commerce.

Nearby, we watched a multi-media presentation on the Great Storm that killed over 6000 residents of Galveston at the turn of the 20th century; joint tickets to the museum and the show are available.

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