• Originally published March 6, 2010 at 7:33 p.m., updated March 6, 2010 at 7:35 p.m.

The list of historic "titans" of commerce in Victoria is not particularly long.

Let's begin with John J. Linn, for whom Juan Linn Street is named. He was a shrewd business man who speculated in real estate and founded the town of Linnville down on the coast.

The next entrepreneur would be Jessie Obadiah Wheeler. Wheeler built the railroad from Port Lavaca north to Victoria. He brought the first paddle wheeler to Victoria. His brick house of business stood at the intersection of Main Street and Constitution - the corner where the National Bank stands today. He was the wealthiest citizen in Victoria County in 1860.

Abraham Levi arrived in 1849 and dramatically altered the history of Victoria. He was, at first, a dry goods merchant. Then he made a huge success out of his wholesale grocery business. Levi was a highly respected man, who also earned the respect of the community. His office housed quite a large safe, and many citizens kept their personal cash therein.

I am not quite sure what banker John M. Brownson thought about this.

By 1875, the "private" banking had grown to such a degree that Levi and his sons separated out the banking, forming a new entity: The A. Levi & Co., Bank. That year, he commissioned a fine building at 116 S. Main. It featured cast iron work on the façade.

As you can see from the photograph, this building certainly inspired a lot of confidence.

Levi passed away on Nov. 2, 1902. His sons, Godcheaux and Charles, and his son-in-law, Jules K. Hexter, continued in the business for a few years before selling out and moving to Dallas.

Each of these family members built elegant homes here. By the late 1890s, John J. Welder was emerging as the last of the great "titans."

Louis G. Kreisle purchased the 1875 Levi building when the Levi family moved away. He replaced the Levi name with his own atop the building.

The 1875 Levi building survived until 1953; at that time it was home to M. O. Simon Company. That year, the Bank & Trust purchased the 1875 building, the 1890 building and the Kreuger Drugs Store building.

By January 1954, all these buildings had fallen under the wrecking ball.

Progress took its worst toll on Main Street. By the 1930s, dramatic changes were taking place. Little value was placed on the magnificent structures from Victoria's Golden Age of Architecture.

Down they came, one by one.

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