Galveston Island ~ UTMB Medical School ~ Old Red Photos ~ Galveston Beaches

Galveston Vacation

Many people think of Galveston for one reason only...a Galveston vacation. After all, this barrier island located just 45 miles southeast of Houston has miles and miles of beaches luring those who like to play in the sand and surf. But some people come to Galveston Island to get an education at UTMB Galveston. Old Red and its architectural design along with the lure of beaches will be the subject of this hub.

UTMB stands for University of Texas Medical Branch for those who might be unfamiliar.

From very modest beginnings in 1891 when this oldest medical school West of the Mississippi River, and the first medical school in Texas was begun, UTMB has grown to become something that the originators of this complex probably never dreamed possible.

Old Red

"Old Red" is the affectionate nickname for this outstanding building designed by noted architect Nicolas Clayton who also designed other buildings on Galveston Island during his exceptional career.

For people who appreciate architecture, Old Red is a great example of Romanesque Revival style with its round arches and rows of bricks and stone used in continuous fashion. Note the semi-circular arches over so many of the windows. It makes for an elegant and grand appearance!

Old Red was initially christened the Ashbel Smith building named after Dr. Ashbel Smith who was one of the people instrumental in getting the medical building established on Galveston Island.

The colors of the red Texas granite and sandstone along with the red pressed brick used in construction of this building gives it this pink to reddish overall appearance...thus the affectionate nickname, Old Red.

Old Red has the distinction of not only being beautiful but has earned a Texas Historical Commission marker and is also on the National Register of Historical Places.

UTMB Galveston

Up until the year 1922, the Ashbel Smith building ( Old Red ) was the only classroom and also lab space for the medical students who came there to study and attain their degrees.

Starting from just one building in 1891 with an initial class of 23 students, this UTMB Galveston campus has grown to encompass 84 acres of land and now has over 70 buildings and around 2,500 students.

These students study everything from becoming different types of therapists to nurses, physician assistants, doctors, researchers and more.

Just about anything related to the health field can be studied and learned here.

With 7 hospitals and multiple clinics and a focus on serving the under-served people in the community, this offers students a chance to become fully involved in this learning environment without having to go elsewhere to gain experience.

Galveston offers one of only three level 1 trauma centers in the Houston area!

If one is in a serious life threatening emergency situation, this is one of the places where one would want to find oneself being treated if at all possible.

UTMB also has the distinction of having 1 of the 2 national bio-containment laboratories in all of the United States where vital work is accomplished which impacts not only United States citizens, but potentially those all around the world.

Important research done here can hopefully ward off or at least help mute the effects of the next world pandemic among other things.

Galveston Beaches

OK now...just imagine that you are one of those students attending UTMB Galveston and have had a long day studying and doing some clinical practice.

Would the lure of walking on a beach just minutes from where you live be of interest when wanting to relax?

Are you drawn to liking water sports and catching an occasional wave or doing some surfing?

Do you like to fish?

How about playing volleyball or badminton on a sun drenched sandy beach?

Perhaps you like shelling and finding that perfect shell that has washed ashore for a growing collection?

Maybe you just like to ride a bicycle on the beach or lay on a beach blanket and let the sounds of the repetitive waves and calls of the ever present seabirds wash over you.

There is every type of beach offering various kinds of activities to be found on Galveston Island.

Linocut art

Old Red is one of the Galveston buildings that I have captured with one of my Original Linoleum Cut Art Prints.

Many school children who take art classes are introduced to linocut art but this form of art creation escaped me until I took a free class at a local community center as an adult.

Architectural design of buildings makes for good subject matter and Old Red certainly drew my interest.

A few of these hand printed limited edition linocuts were tinted using water color pencils after they were printed making them 1/1 prints.

A number of them have been sold to graduating students from UTMB Galveston during the one person shows that I have had on Galveston Island.  Hopefully you have enjoyed this look at the architectural design of Old Red and learned a bit more about the medical school and beaches found on this alluring island of Galveston.