Search the Community

Some real history here! The St. Joseph's County Hospital burned down in 1894. This is the story. From the book The Episcopacy of Nicholas Gallagher, Bishop of Galveston, 1882–1918. Catholic Building for had been used by the Franciscan priests when they staffed St. Vincent's Parish, by Ursuline Sisters fro New Orleans when they staffed St. Vincent's School (1867-1869), and by these Sisters when they likewise staffed the same school (1869-1873.) The Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament from Victoria had temporarily lived there before moving to Incarnate Word Academy on Crawford Street (April-November, 1873.) St. Joseph's Infirmary was opened to the public on June 1, 1887. Two years later the medical officer for the indigent sick was impressed with the methods of caring for the sick. After the county judge toured the hospital, Mother St. Louis was requested to receive the indigent sick of Harris County. There was quite a bit of dissatisfaction with the old Houston Infirmary on Washington Avenue. Mother St. Luis agreed. The sisters soon expanded their facilities. A new three-story building, St. Joseph's County Hospital, was erected across the street. The sisters were paid 50 cents a day for indigent patients. Private patients paid two dollars a day. The diagnosis of patients with smallpox led to the construction of a smallpox hospital in an abandoned cemetery. There were three hundred victims of smallpox. Approximately sixty died. All of the Sisters volunteered to help at the “pest house.” Four from the growing staff of Sisters were chosen. Unfortunately, Mrs. Flanagan's Boarding House next to the hospital caught fire (October 16, 1894.) Before long, the entire block was in flames. This was no match for the one fire engine the city owned. Two Sisters lost their lives, and a third was seriously wounded, though she survived. This was devastation to the Sisters. In addition to the-- Photo of the hospital that burned down:

The Cascara School opened as a small schoolhouse in 1893 and was renamed in 1906 for Sidney Sherman. The school building was the second oldest in the city, but the original structure was destroyed and rebuilt. Now the site of Sherman Elementary School. The architect for this beautiful building is Nicholas J. Clayton. From the book The Houston Buildings of N.J. Clayton by Stephen Fox. Cascara School (1893), subsequently known as Sidney Sherman School, stood on the far north edge of Houston when first built. / Art work of Houston, 1894.

Breaking holy ground Incarnate Word Academy will celebrate the 133rd anniversary of the Academy's Foundation Day and break ground for the school's new $8.5 million Fine Arts Center at 2:30 p.m. Friday, May 5. The three-story center for the school, which has been in downtown for more than a century, will be built at the corner of Crawford and Capitol streets.

I assumed there already was a topic on this magnificent Romanesque style church? This link gives good detail of it's beginning's to present. http://www.abcsoffaith.com/artchurch/annuncc.htm Been attending since childhood and although it has had fairly recent restorations it is in need once again. Can't help but notice the signs of rain coming through and paint peeling. You must take a tour one day to really appreciate it's grandeur. The narrow stairs leading to the pipe organ are a something else. You must study the intricate detail of the stain glass windows throughout and the gothic furnishings within. I could wonder in this place for hours examining every detail in the interiors. Nicholas J Clayton - famed prominent Victorian Architect would be proud to see that it still stands today. http://www.travelphotobase.com/s/TXXNC.HTM Simply Magnifico!

If anyone is interested, Annunciation Catholic Church is having an architecture lecture series on Nicholas Clayton. Sponsored by Ziegler-Cooper. Speakers include Stephen Fox and Duncan Stroik. September 6-9th, dowtown Houston. Register at: http://www.bit.ly/AnnunciationSymposium Architectural Symposium Registration Booklet compressed.pdf

Thought I'd share these with you... there are some great ones in Houston and Galveston. Whatever happened to the old railway station and post office buildings in Galveston? They were pretty impressive. http://www.nsula.edu/watson_library/postcards/default_3.htm I cannot see a picture of the Ursuline Sisters Academy in Galveston without the song "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" playing in the back of my mind. Tragic, tragic loss.