National Register Listing

Levy, E.S., Building

a.k.a. National Hotel Building

2221-2225 Market St., Galveston, TX
The 1896 E. S. Levy building is named for the founder of an early Galveston business, E. S. Levy & Co., also known as Levy's, that operated continuously in the city until 1979. Architect Charles W. Bulger designed the transitional style building and incorporated the ground floor cast iron facade of the 1871 Tremont Opera House that previously stood on this site. The Levy building was Galveston's first professional office building and its tenants included doctors, lawyers and other professionals as well as the U.S. Weather Service office at the time of the 1900 Great Storm. The E. S. Levy building is an addition to the Multiple Resource Listing of the Historic Resources of Galveston Central Business District/Downtown (NR 1984). The building meets Criterion A, significant at the local level, in the Area of Commerce as the city's first professional office buildings and demonstrated the growth of the city and the retail trade in the late nineteenth century. It meets Criterion C in the Area of Architecture, also significant at the local level, as an excellent example of turn-of-the-century commercial architecture in Galveston and the first large commercial commission of architect Charles W. Bulger.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Commerce

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

architecture commerce
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
The discovery of oil in 1901 near Beaumont, Texas, sparked an oil boom that transformed the state's economy and led to the rise of the modern petroleum industry.
Texas random facts
Galveston County, located on the Gulf Coast of Texas, has a rich and fascinating history that dates back centuries. The area was inhabited by Native American tribes for thousands of years before European explorers arrived in the 16th century. Spanish explorers were among the first to visit the region, followed by French and English explorers in the 17th and 18th centuries.

In 1816, Pirate Jean Lafitte established a short-lived settlement on Galveston Island, which became a haven for smugglers and criminals. However, the pirate era came to an end when the Mexican government took control of Texas and drove out Lafitte and his fellow pirates.

The 19th century saw Galveston County become a major seaport and commercial center. In 1839, the city of Galveston was founded and quickly grew in size and prosperity. The city became an important hub for the Texas cotton industry and played a significant role in the Texas Revolution and the Civil War.

However, Galveston faced numerous challenges throughout its history, including devastating hurricanes. The most notable was the Great Storm of 1900, which remains the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history, claiming thousands of lives and causing extensive damage. Despite the destruction, Galveston rebuilt and implemented engineering projects, including the construction of a seawall, to protect the city from future hurricanes.

Today, Galveston County is a popular tourist destination, known for its beautiful beaches, historic architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. The county has successfully preserved its rich heritage while embracing modern development, making it a unique and diverse place to visit and live.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Galveston County, Texas.

  • 1528 - Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca becomes the first known European to set foot on Galveston Island
  • 1816 - Pirate Jean Lafitte establishes a base on Galveston Island
  • 1825 - Galveston becomes a port of entry for the newly formed Republic of Mexico
  • 1836 - Galveston becomes an important port during the Texas Revolution
  • 1839 - The City of Galveston is officially incorporated
  • 1854 - Galveston becomes the largest city in Texas
  • 1900 - Galveston is struck by a devastating hurricane, resulting in over 6,000 deaths
  • 1901 - Oil is discovered in nearby Spindletop, leading to a period of economic growth
  • 1957 - The world's first offshore drilling rig is built in Galveston
  • 2008 - Hurricane Ike causes significant damage to Galveston