The history of Kuhn’s Wharf

Kuhn's Wharf

Kuhn's Wharf was one of Galveston's first and most essential wharves during its founding. Built between 1838 and 1839, the Wharf extended between 18th Street to 20th Street along the bay. In 1838, Texas Ranger Colonel Ephriam McLean was granted wharf privilege by the Galveston City company, provided he started construction of a wharf as soon as possible.

The Wharf was home to landings for large ships, schooners, and steamships, which was imperative to the growth of Galveston, Texas, and the American West. The Wharf was acquired shortly after William Henley built it in J.C. Kuhn's. It was improved to handle increasingly large shipments for large steamships built adjacent to the Koons Wharf historical marker, the Henley Building, also known as Henley Rowe.

Completing Construction in 1860. This building was used as a warehouse and office for shipping operations at Kuhn's Wharf when Texas Seceded from the Union in 1861; J.C. Kuhn sold his residence and property on the strand and left for Europe during the Civil War. Koons Wharf was the dock of choice for the U s s Harriet Lane.

On October 8th, 1862, a detachment of federal troops landed on Kuhn's Wharf and marched to the customs House at 20th Street to raise the union flag over the building during the federal occupation of the island. Three hundred fifty men of the 42nd Massachusetts regiment tore up the approach to Koons Wharf and erected a barricade with the planks about 100 feet from the strand, leaving only one plank to avoid being over.

They also erected a similar barricade at the end of the Wharf. Until the Battle of Galveston on January 1st, 1863, Confederate troops were moved into position around the approach to Kuhn's Wharf. While the federal ships were anchored at the foot of the piers, a landing party from the Confederacy stormed Koons wharf to engage the crude garrison.

However, the battle in the bay was soon over. The Confederacy captured the Union Navy vessel. The Wharf continued to play a leading role at the Port of Galveston into the mid-20th century. The area where the wooden piers once sat is now seafood markets and small fishing boat docks.