How many stories can this Davidson-Penland House Plaque tell? We’re standing before a tangible link to Galveston’s past. Erected by the Texas Historical Commission in 2011, this plaque tells the story of the Davidson-Penland House, built in 1868. Imagine the many lives that have graced this home! It all began with Captain John Davidson, a Norwegian immigrant, who built the house between 1866 and 1868. Sadly, he died trying to rescue a pilot from a shipwreck in 1868. His widow later sold the home to the McKeens, whose connection to Texas history is fascinating! Mary McKeen was the daughter of Henry Fisher, a key figure in the Fisher-Miller Grant which brought German immigrants to Texas. But the story doesn’t end there. In 1872, Samuel Moore Penland, a grandnephew of Sam Houston himself, bought the home. Imagine the conversations that must have happened under this very roof! Penland, a Civil War veteran, auctioneer, and businessman, even served as a trustee for the Galveston Orphans’ Home. He was also a bit of a history buff. He donated artifacts and letters from famous figures, including his granduncle, to the Galveston Rosenberg Library. The Davidson-Penland House, a testament to Galveston’s rich history, has seen it all. It even survived the 1885 fire and the devastating 1900 hurricane! As you admire its Greek Revival architecture – the hipped roof, the wide front porch, the ornate railings – remember you’re looking at more than just a house. This is a survivor, a storyteller, and a piece of Texas history.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to