Historic Sites
Street of Ten Friends
This site commemorates the former name for Victoria's Main Street, La Calle De Los Diez Amigos - the Street of Ten Friends. The street was originally named in honor of the influential individuals who were responsible for the initial success of the colony commonly referred to as Guadalupe Victoria.
Sign located at the corner of Main & North streets.
This site commemorates the former name for Victoria's Main Street, La Calle De Los Diez Amigos - the Street of Ten Friends. The street was originally named in honor of the influential individuals who were responsible for the initial success of the colony commonly referred to as Guadalupe Victoria.
Sign located at the corner of Main & North streets.
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De Leon Plaza
Originally called Plaza de la Constitucion, De Leon Plaza was set aside by colony founder Martin De Leon. Monuments, a band stand and benches add to this lovely tree-filled green space located in historic downtown Victoria. It is a popular setting for festivals and special events.
101 N. Main
Originally called Plaza de la Constitucion, De Leon Plaza was set aside by colony founder Martin De Leon. Monuments, a band stand and benches add to this lovely tree-filled green space located in historic downtown Victoria. It is a popular setting for festivals and special events.
101 N. Main
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Victoria County Courthouse
The Victoria County Courthouse was built in 1892 by nationally renowned Texas architect J. Riely Gordon in the style of Henry Richardson. The Romanesque structure is made of Texas granite and Indiana limestone. Restored in 2001, it has been named as one of the ten favorite historic courthouses in Texas.
Open to the public during normal business hours. Free admission. Group tours can be arranged for a fee by contacting Victoria Preservation, Inc. at 361-573-1878.
Corner of Bridge & Constitution streets.
The Victoria County Courthouse was built in 1892 by nationally renowned Texas architect J. Riely Gordon in the style of Henry Richardson. The Romanesque structure is made of Texas granite and Indiana limestone. Restored in 2001, it has been named as one of the ten favorite historic courthouses in Texas.
Open to the public during normal business hours. Free admission. Group tours can be arranged for a fee by contacting Victoria Preservation, Inc. at 361-573-1878.
Corner of Bridge & Constitution streets.
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Fossati's Delicatessan
Established in 1882, Fossati's Delicatessen is the oldest deli in Texas and is one of the oldest restaurants in the United States. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is still owned and operated by the same family.
302 S. Main St.
361-576-3354
Established in 1882, Fossati's Delicatessen is the oldest deli in Texas and is one of the oldest restaurants in the United States. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is still owned and operated by the same family.
302 S. Main St.
361-576-3354
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Historic Homes & Landmarks Driving Tour
Victoria enjoys a wealth of fine old houses and buildings and this driving tour features over 80 properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many sites have also been awarded Texas Historical Landmarks.
Historic driving tour brochure and mobile website are now available.
Victoria enjoys a wealth of fine old houses and buildings and this driving tour features over 80 properties that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many sites have also been awarded Texas Historical Landmarks.
Historic driving tour brochure and mobile website are now available.
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Evergreen Cemetery
The first community cemetery in Victoria, located at present day Memorial Square, was unpopular with local citizens. They preferred home burial despite an 1846 city ordinance prohobiting the practice. In 1849 John McCrabb bought 27 acres of a tract granted to the city by the Republic of Texas. The property already contained the gravesite of Dr. Walter Fosgate, who died in 1848. During the 1850s, part of McCrabb's land became the new public cemetery. Following the Civil War (1861-65), many graves were moved here from the original city cemetery. Other reinterments occurred when old St Mary's Catholic Church was razed in 1868. Because of city neglect, local women organized the Victoria Ladies' Cemetery Association in 1876 and took over care of the plot. The name "Evergreen Cemetery" was chosen in 1883 because of abundant trees in the area. The Evergreen Cemetery Endowment Association was established in 1912 to manage investment of maintenance funds. Over the years, further land acquistion has enlarged the site to 30 acres. Among the 9,000 graves here are those of Martin de Leon (1765-1833), early empresario and founder of Victoria; and veterans of the Texas Revolution, Mexican War, and Civil War. Located at the intersections of Vine and Red River streets.
The first community cemetery in Victoria, located at present day Memorial Square, was unpopular with local citizens. They preferred home burial despite an 1846 city ordinance prohobiting the practice. In 1849 John McCrabb bought 27 acres of a tract granted to the city by the Republic of Texas. The property already contained the gravesite of Dr. Walter Fosgate, who died in 1848. During the 1850s, part of McCrabb's land became the new public cemetery. Following the Civil War (1861-65), many graves were moved here from the original city cemetery. Other reinterments occurred when old St Mary's Catholic Church was razed in 1868. Because of city neglect, local women organized the Victoria Ladies' Cemetery Association in 1876 and took over care of the plot. The name "Evergreen Cemetery" was chosen in 1883 because of abundant trees in the area. The Evergreen Cemetery Endowment Association was established in 1912 to manage investment of maintenance funds. Over the years, further land acquistion has enlarged the site to 30 acres. Among the 9,000 graves here are those of Martin de Leon (1765-1833), early empresario and founder of Victoria; and veterans of the Texas Revolution, Mexican War, and Civil War. Located at the intersections of Vine and Red River streets.
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Hiller House
Built by German immigrants Friedrich and Margaretha Beck Hiller in 1852 after their journey from Indianola, the Hiller House still stands as the third oldest home in Victoria. Following three phases of renovations, it now functions as the headquarters of Keep Victoria Beautiful. Tours of the homestead and Hiller Family Museum are available by request, while journeys through the adjacent Athey Nature Area are open to the public all day. Call 361-571-0582 or e-mail ed@keepvictoriabeautiful for reservations.
Built by German immigrants Friedrich and Margaretha Beck Hiller in 1852 after their journey from Indianola, the Hiller House still stands as the third oldest home in Victoria. Following three phases of renovations, it now functions as the headquarters of Keep Victoria Beautiful. Tours of the homestead and Hiller Family Museum are available by request, while journeys through the adjacent Athey Nature Area are open to the public all day. Call 361-571-0582 or e-mail ed@keepvictoriabeautiful for reservations.
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Dig Our History Days
De Leon Plaza
8:00 AM
Take part in unearthing unique finds from our past by attending this public archeology dig in historic De Leon Plaza in Downtown Victoria! Also featuring other events aimed at showcasing the region's rich history.
more info
De Leon Plaza
8:00 AM
Take part in unearthing unique finds from our past by attending this public archeology dig in historic De Leon Plaza in Downtown Victoria! Also featuring other events aimed at showcasing the region's rich history.
more info
Old Victoria Driving Tour
Recently, a prominent Texan was quoted as saying that old Victoria is one of the prettiest places in Texas. After taking a quick mental tour around the Lone Star state, stopping at some of my favorite places along the way, I decided he was spot on. Founded by Martin de Leon in 1824 and with more than 100 landmarks and buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, old Victoria provides a charming home for residents and businesses and a stunning backdrop for festivals and special events. The distinctive design of architect Jules C. Leffland can be seen in many of the homes in old Victoria and noted Texas architect J. Riely Gordon designed the 1892 Victoria County courthouse, voted one of the ten favorite historic courthouses in Texas.
An easy way to explore our downtown is to pick up one of our new Old Victoria Driving Tour Guides here at the Victoria CVB Visitor Information Center and head on down Main Street to De Leon Plaza where the tour begins. The driving tour guide and map will help you wind your way through our historic downtown as well as provides a photograph and the story of each of the 84 truly amazing, historic buildings and sites included in the tour. It also describes a couple other important historic sites like Tonkawa Bank and Evergreen Cemetery and tells the story of why Victoria is known for La Calle de Los Diez Amigos, the Street of 10 friends.
I have the privilege of both living and working in old Victoria. I love to stomp around downtown, feeling history ooze between my toes or ride my bike through the neighborhoods, imagining the breeze is whispering stories of old as I pass by each gem. I confess a particular fondness for numbers 74 and 75 on the driving tour. Both of these grand old dames are survivors, for sure. They were built in Indianola and withstood the devastating 1886 hurricane after which time their owners wisely dismantled them and moved them to Victoria. I don’t mean to take away from the other historic buildings on the tour; each one is special with a fascinating story of its own.
Do yourself a huge favor and invite your favorite someone along on the old Victoria driving tour. Enjoy the beauty of Victoria and step back in time for just a little while. view more...