Galveston’s East End Historical District Association will host its 23rd annual “A Victorian Christmas” Homes Tour on Friday, November 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

The architecture of Galveston’s East End reflects some of the state’s most notable examples of residential Victorian architecture with a variety of styles and periods.  This year’s tour will feature four East End homes decorated for the holiday season:

The Sally Trueheart Williams Home, 1616 Broadway.  This Spanish Colonial Revival style home was built in 1929.  This design style was popularized during the Panama-California Exposition in San Diego in 1915.  The home was actually constructed in the gardens of the Trueheart Mansion, which was designed by famed Texas architect, Nicholas Clayton, in 1885.  After the death of the home’s owner, Henry Trueheart, his daughter, Sally Trueheart Williams, decided the mansion was too large and expensive to maintain, so she commissioned a smaller home better suited to her needs. The Trueheart Mansion was demolished after completion of the current home.

The Browning K. Crowell House, 1127 Ball.  This home was built in 1888 in the Queen Anne style. This design style was popularized in the late 19th century during the Industrial Revolution, when the expanding railroads allowed pre-cut architectural details to become available through much of the nation. This home was first owned by Galveston businessman Browning K. Crowell.  Mr. Crowell was an executive with various Galveston companies such as Charles Clarke & Co., the Texas and Gulf Steamship Company and the Bowser Southern Dredging Company.

The Catherine & William Best Home, 1128 Sealy.  This Victorian cottage was built in 1874 and owned by German immigrant William Best and his wife, Catherine.  Mr. Best was Captain aboard the Steamship Maddox.  Mr. Best died in 1884, but Catherine continued to own the home with her son-in-law, Stanislaus Fagan, a Galveston plasterer.

The Alexander Allen House, 1118 Sealy.  This home was built in 1874 and owned by Alexander Allen and his wife, Elizabeth.  Mr. Allen was a marble contractor and monument maker, and was dubbed “the founder of the marble business in Texas,” having established the state’s first marble yard in 1852.  Mr. Allen’s partner in the business was Charles S. Ott, founder of Ott Monument Works, the oldest memorial business in Texas, currently in its 5th generation of business, located at 39th & Broadway.

Three Complementary East End sites will aslo be included on the tour:
Darragh Park, 15th & Church.  This park was built after a fire destroyed Darragh House on this site in the 1990s.  The property was donated by Galveston Historical Foundation to the East End Historical District Association, and a longtime association supporter, Dr. E. Burke Evans, donated the funds to build the wrought iron gazebo.  The association maintains this park, along with Alderdice Park at 15th & Ball.

Victor Gustafson Cottage, 1501 Postoffice St.  This historic cottage was built by Victor Gustafson, a Galveston Wharves cotton screwman.  The cottage was partially destroyed during the 1900 storm, but Gustafson rebuilt and enlarged it for his family.  The cottage was moved to its current location from 6th & Market in 1979 for use as a community center for the association.  Refreshments will be served at this location by volunteers of the association.

First Presbyterian Church, 1903 Church Street.  This Romanesque building was designed by prominent Galveston architect, Nicholas Clayton, and was constructed in 1872.  The church is considered one of the best examples of Norman style architecture in the region.  Its sanctuary has been remodeled since Hurricane Ike, and features breathtaking stained glass windows, three of which were designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.  Homes Tour ticket holders will enjoy a variety of holiday music at the church from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Tickets are $15, and are available through The Grand 1894 Opera House.  To purchase tickets call 409-765-1894 or 800-821-1894, or purchase online at www.thegrand.com.