Strand National Historic District
The Strand National Historic District features a number of beautiful commercial buildings – many which survived the devastating hurricane of 1900. Its proximity to Galveston harbor made it the region’s main center of business in the 19th century. Major businesses included banks, wholesalers, attorneys, and even slave auctioneers.
The district is also home to Saengerfest Park, which takes its name from the biennial singing contest sponsored by German immigrant choral societies around the State of Texas in the 19th century. Saengerfest Park features benches to relax, a stage for performances and outdoor movie nights, and its trademark giant-sized playable chess set.
Located just outside the district boundaries is the 1894 Grand Opera House – named by the state legislature in 1993 as “the official opera house of Texas.” The opera house has been beautifully restored after surviving two hurricanes, and now draws headlining musical acts as diverse as Robert Earl Keen and the Galveston Symphony Orchestra.