Our Mission Statement

The mission of the East End Historical District Association is to preserve, restore and protect its cultural and architectural integrity by promoting education, community advocacy, fellowship, neighborhood awareness and cultural tourism. 

About the East End Historic District

The East End Historical District Association (EEHDA) was formed in 1975 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.

Our Beautiful Neighborhood

The East End Historic District is comprised of over 50 city blocks bounded on the south by Broadway, the east by 10th Street, the north by Mechanic Avenue and the west by 19th Street. The District has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 and has been designated a National Historic Landmark.


Take a few minutes to walk the tree lined streets of the District and experience the charms of Galveston's "Gilded Age" of charm. Hear the clip-clop of a horse drawn carriage and note the architectural details of the fine homes...a towering pillar, shadowed silhouettes of ornate carvings, a splash of stained glass in a window, welcoming porches or a bit of wrought iron fencing.


The architecture of the East End Historic District reflects a variety of styles and periods, the earliest being examples of Greek Revival style built during the 1850's. Early residents represented an economic and social cross-section of the community, also expressed in the dwellings which range from small, simple cottages to large, elaborate houses.


Its rugged old homes, having withstood the test of time and the elements, now respond miraculously to the face lifting efforts of the carpenter and painter. In just a few years this area has turned from a progressively bleak pattern of decay into a thriving, livable neighborhood enjoying increased property values and desirability. Besides its lovely homes, the area offers other advantages for it's resident...a cultural and ethnic mix that enriches the quality of life, several fine schools to serve the young residents as well as close proximity to Galveston's business district, University of Texas Medical Branch, and the Historic Strand District.


Click Here for Self-Guided Walking Tour

Printed copies of the Walking Tour of the East End Historic District Homes brochure are available at the Galveston Island Visitor Center, 2228 Mechanic St.

Meet the Board of Directors and Committee Chairmen

Every member of our board of directors is a thought leader who has made significant contributions to EEHDA. 
Each one brings a unique set of skills and expertise to our organization. 

Committees and Committee Chairs

Finance - Elizabeth Beeton

Membership - Jeff Patterson

Block Parties - Cathi Hofstad

Theater-in-the-Park - Rebecca Walker

Garden Tour - Jill Peveto

Holiday Tour - Rebecca Goodwin

Parks - Robert Peveto

Facilities Oversight - Judith Glaubig

Welcoming Committee - Helen Stroud

Communications - Alyson Poston

Newsletter -  Ed Fowler



Join East End Historical District Association

Why EEHDA?

The East End Historical District Association (EEHDA) is an organization that is focused on preserving, restoring, and protecting the cultural and architectural integrity of the East End Historic District. We are not an HOA (Homeowners Association) - we are a 501(c)(3) non profit that is committed to maintaining the cultural and architectural integrity of the East End by promoting education, fellowship, community, advocacy, neighborhood awareness, and cultural tourism. EEHDA is by far the largest of the historic districts in Galveston, and it is  important that our voices continue to be heard by the community and our city leadership regarding the importance of historic preservation.


The EEHDA owns several historic properties in the East End: 


  • The "Cottage", which is the Victor Gustafson house that was originally located on Market  Street. The house was donated to EEHDA and moved to the corner of 15th and Post  Office, previously the site of the Cordray Drugstore, and serves as our meeting and  gathering place. 
  • Darragh Park located behind the “Cottage” is owned and serves as a pleasant place to sit  and think or just watch life go by, as well as Alderdice Park. 


Individual support through annual memberships helps maintain these historic properties for  future generations. Membership also supports the events and activities EEHDA sponsors  throughout the year. These events include: 


  • The Fall Garden and Holiday Homes Tours which showcase a variety of homes across the  neighborhood for both Galvestonians and visitors.
  • Meetings and block parties where you can meet and interact with your neighbors who share your passion for historic homes and learn more about historic preservation.
  • Membership also makes our monthly newsletter possible and is an additional way to keep  up with neighborhood news and community events, as well as learn more about historic preservation so vital to our mission. 


We ask you to seriously consider one of our membership levels in the East End Historialc District  Association. Your commitment will play a vital role in helping to maintain and improve the  community you live in and the historical homes and properties in the historic district that very  likely played a role in your decisions to live here. 



Printable Application Form

Online Application Form

Join or Renew

Printable Application Form

Payment Options


1. Complete and submit the form, then send your check payable to EEHDA to:


EEHDA, P.O. Box 2424

Galveston, TX 77553


or


2. Complete and submit the form, then select your Membership Level, then click the "Pay Now" button to pay via PayPal (credit cards accepted). 


3.  You may also may a Donation by clicking the "Donate" button below.

Select Membership Level

Donate

You may make a donation by clicking the Donate button to the right or by sending your check directly to:


EEHDA

P.O. Box 2424

Galveston, TX 77553

Updates about Our Neighbors

Stormwater Pump Station Update

Some of our neighbors may be wondering about the new fence going in at a parking lot at Post Office and 20th Street. This location will support CenterPoint’s part of a project to install a stormwater pump station at 14th and Harborside to help streets drain more quickly.



The project consists of the relocations of a major underground electric ductbank that runs down Postoffice Street that has been identified as being in conflict with the proposed improvements associated with the 14th Street Pump Station project. Specific improvements planned as part of the 14th Street Pump Station project include a gravity operated series of double 5’x8’ Reinforced Concrete Boxes that will make up the trunk line of the stormwater collection and conveyance system that will feed directly into the planned pump station. Since the trunk line relies on gravity, it cannot be rerouted around the existing underground electric ductbank. 

 

This is a CenterPoint Energy project, and the limits are from an existing manhole located approximately 250’ west of 19th Street to another existing manhole located approximately 130’ west of 14th Street. The project is scheduled to start 9/16/24 and end 4/12/25, so we can expect street construction/traffic impact in that area of Post Office Street probably through April 2025.


This column below is presented to help keep us apprised of major changes along the port that will affect East Enders


A Vision for the Port of Galveston Wharves

- An update from Port of Galveston CEO Roger Rees

Galveston is unique among Texas ports in two big ways. It’s the Lone Star State’s only cruise port and it’s the only public port with a commercial area open to the public. Nowhere else in Texas can you sit at a waterfront restaurant and watch cruise and cargo ships sail by.
The port’s commercial area at Pier 21 was developed in the early 1980s through the vision of port leaders and George and Cynthia Mitchell to promote tourist development.  Today the restaurants, hotel and historical attractions at Pier 21 remain popular waterfront destinations for locals and visitors alike. Forty years after it was developed, many of us have asked ourselves how we can make the area even better.
The port’s 20-Year Strategic Master Plan adopted by the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees in 2019 and a recent study funded by the Mitchell Foundation envision improvements to the area to enhance public access and enjoyment. Ideas are the first step, but there are many steps to a final plan. Based on direction from the Wharves Board, port staff would collaborate with key stakeholders, including port tenants, city officials and the community. 
Enhancing That Early Vision
The port’s master plan is our roadmap to maximize cruise, cargo and commercial assets to strengthen and grow the port, a self-sustaining city entity. For the Pier 21 area, the plan identifies opportunities for a waterfront boardwalk, flex parking space and enhancements to Harborside Drive to connect the mid-port area to the Strand Historic District.  The port master plan describes how an internal roadway and walkways will connect the port’s two cruise terminals west of Pier 21 with the new cruise terminal at Pier 16 and the Strand area. The plan also envisions creating multi-use spaces for parking and events between Harborside and the waterfront for festivals and other public uses. 
The Mitchell Legacy
Now the Mitchell Foundation is carrying on the Mitchell family legacy by funding a detailed plan with colorful renderings that takes the port’s master plan vision for the port commercial area to the next level.  The foundation initiated and is championing an ambitious proposal created by Stoss Landscape Urbanism. Stoss representatives presented their renderings of an enhanced Pier 21 area at the Galveston Wharves Board of Trustees meeting in March.

 Read the Stoss Visioning Plan - Galveston Wharves Public Realm Visioning Piers 19-22

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