The Portal of Texas History

[Downtown businesses before the 1947 Texas City Disaster]

[Downtown businesses before the 1947 Texas City Disaster]

Date: 1947
Creator: unknown
Description: A view of part of the business district in Texas City before the 1947 Texas City Disaster. Cars are parked along both sides of the street and are driving down the roads of a four-way intersection. Stores and businesses line the right side of the streets. On the left side a large flag pole stands near the corner. Down the left side of the street, a two-story building can be seen. People are walking or standing along the sidewalks in front of the stores. A bus is pulled up near one corner of the intersection. On the far right, the two nearest businesses have signs which read "Clar[r?]'s Liquor Store" and "Lucas Cafe." Further down the street are signs reading "Plaza Hotel" and "Nusbaum's."
Holding Partner: Moore Memorial Public Library
[Clouds of smoke over the business district after the 1947 Texas City Disaster]

[Clouds of smoke over the business district after the 1947 Texas City Disaster]

Date: 1947-04-16
Creator: unknown
Description: Two lines of stores and small businesses line a wide street in the business district. Cars are parked at an angle to the curbs on both sides of the street. Very heavy black smoke blankets the far end of the street. Signs on the nearest two businesses on the left read "[C]ity [C]afe" and "Edwards Jewelry". The nearest business on the right displays a sign that says "Berkley's [illegible]".
Holding Partner: Moore Memorial Public Library
[A damaged commercial building after the 1947 Texas City Disaster]

[A damaged commercial building after the 1947 Texas City Disaster]

Date: 1947-04-16
Creator: unknown
Description: A large multi-storied commercial building shows heavy damage to the top floor. Building rubble is helped in front of the building. Glass has been blown out of the windows and cases of drinks in bottles are visible through the far left window. On the back of the photograph is written: "Cafe".
Holding Partner: Moore Memorial Public Library