The O'Connor-Proctor Building on one corner of the courthouse square has been a bank, a church, law offices, a hardware store, a paint store, clothing store, and photography studio. It was used as an emergency hospital during the influenza epidemic of 1918 and as officers' quarters during World War II. Today it is the home of the Victoria Junior League and serves as a venue for social events. Built in 1895 at a cost of $7,721 it is constructed of St. Louis red brick and trimmed with Kerrville (Texas) white limestone. Originally the first floor contained one large room and vault and the second floor housed three offices, that of rancher T.M. O'Connor, the legal firm of the brothers Venable and Fred Proctor, and the dental office of Dr. William L. Ward. Each suite had its own marble lavatory.
The 1892 Allnoch building seems to enjoy a refurbished second floor but the first floor is boarded up. I found references to the Allnoch family on the Internet but nothing specifically other than they were related to the Mitchell family whose home was featured in yesterday's post.
Fraschio "Frank" Fossati, an Italian immigrant opened his first delicatessen and saloon in Victoria in 1882. The present day building was constructed in 1895. It is the oldest delicatessen in Texas and one of the oldest restaurants in the country. At one time the deli offered live music and many famous musicians have played here, including Willie Nelson.
We stopped by Fossati's for a cold drink and had we not had lunch just a couple hours before, we would have tried out their menu. They offered the usual deli fare and a good selection of various beers. Well-known throughout the state, a visiting Texas governor was once told as he prepared to enter the establishment, "Sir, out here on the street you are Governor. When you step inside, you are just another customer." The Fossati family continues to operate the business 133 years after its establishment. That's just downright amazing!
A twin pair of angels guard the graves of a family plot in Victoria City Cemetery.
A miniature version of the sculpture "Grief" by Frank Teich is found in Victoria City Cemetery. This replica is about half the size of the original work which is located at the Scott Cemetery here in East Texas not far from my home. That sculpture was featured in this blog in December of 2012 and can be seen here.
9 comments:
The angels you find in Texas cemeteries are some of the best I have ever seen. I think this is the first delicatessen/saloon I've ever seen.
That first building has pretty much done it ALL. What a history.
that weeping angel is magnificent... when i see these old brick buildings it amazes me that they could build it way back when... the deli i love and would like to visit and wow on being that long in one family. i love the 3 sets of screen doors. i am betting that was to beat the Texas heat way before anyone thought of AC...
I like red brick buildings and the white trim sets it off just right. The deli is tempting!
It's interesting what magnificent sculptures can be found in cemeteries.
That deli sounds very inviting. Any restaurant that has been in business that long has to have something going for it.
Those angels are absolutely beautiful! The deli looks inviting, pleasant decor. Love the outside of the deli.And interesting architectural design features in the O'Connor-Proctor builing.
very, very, very cool deli!
Beautiful angels.
Delis are important business but are decreasing in numbers throughout the country, or so I have been told. This one is one I would frequent! Your post today has great variety.
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