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| US Customs House - Galveston, Texas |
By: Heather Savage
Have you ever wondered what life was like before airplanes, cars, trucks, or even old reliable (the train)? How would goods from overseas arrive to our coastal shores over one-hundred and fifty years ago if airplanes were not invented? My journey into Galveston Island brought me to the US Customs House.
At first glance I knew it was a Greek Revival style architect. The many pillars support the magnificent crown molding that frames this beautiful building. The red vibrancy of the brick shouts "Glory!" from its outer walls. One look and I'm taken back to an era when Galveston was the only port for the southern United States. I imagine the horse drawn buggies pulling loads that were just unloaded out of massive ships from another continent. Buildings like the US Customs House, although no longer used as port customs, have endured not only time, but have also weathered storms. On one of the outer walls, about three foot above the ground, is a marker showing the waterline from hurricane Ike. If this building could talk what might it tell you? What stories could it whisper in your ears? What famous people would it claim to have offered shelter to? What history could you read in the pourus cracks of that red brick?
Have you ever wondered what life was like before airplanes, cars, trucks, or even old reliable (the train)? How would goods from overseas arrive to our coastal shores over one-hundred and fifty years ago if airplanes were not invented? My journey into Galveston Island brought me to the US Customs House.
At first glance I knew it was a Greek Revival style architect. The many pillars support the magnificent crown molding that frames this beautiful building. The red vibrancy of the brick shouts "Glory!" from its outer walls. One look and I'm taken back to an era when Galveston was the only port for the southern United States. I imagine the horse drawn buggies pulling loads that were just unloaded out of massive ships from another continent. Buildings like the US Customs House, although no longer used as port customs, have endured not only time, but have also weathered storms. On one of the outer walls, about three foot above the ground, is a marker showing the waterline from hurricane Ike. If this building could talk what might it tell you? What stories could it whisper in your ears? What famous people would it claim to have offered shelter to? What history could you read in the pourus cracks of that red brick?
