Galveston Island’s The Cradle is the little known, historic building where the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) was founded. While there are many historic home tours available for Galveston visitors, few people realize this unassuming one-story house, located behind a white picket fence in an older part of town, is an important Texas site.
It was here that Betty Ballinger (1854-1936) and her cousin, Hally Ballinger Bryan Perry, started DRT in 1891. The organization was dedicated to honoring the memory of the heroes of San Jacinto and the Republic of Texas.
Photo: Jo Ann Holt
Ballinger’s maternal grandfather, William Houston Jack, fought at the battle of San Jacinto. Her father Sam Ballinger was issued the state’s first law license. Betty was raised in “The Oaks,” the Ballinger home at Avenue O and 29th Street in Galveston.
Betty and her cousin were moved to start the organization after discovering two Texas patriots (David G. Burnet, first President of the Republic of Texas, and Sidney Sherman, a San Jacinto battle veteran) were buried in an old Galveston cemetery with little recognition of their service.
Support for DRT from Influential Texas Women
Photo: Jo Ann Holt
The cousins solicited support from such women as Mary Smith Jones, widow of Anson Jones, the last President of the Republic of Texas. Along with Mary Harris Briscoe, widow of another Texas patriot, they organized the DRT in 1891. Mrs. Jones served as President of the organization. Their first task was removing the remains of Burnet and Sherman to a new Galveston cemetery.
In 1894 a 23-foot stone obelisk was placed in memorial of the two Texas patriots. The Galveston chapter was named the Sidney Sherman Chapter, the first chapter in the fledgling society. It was headquartered in Sam Ballinger’s old law library. Once a separate building on The Oaks property, the house is located at 2902 Avenue O ½ in Galveston.
The Cradle Museum Open for Tours
Photo: Jo Ann Holt
DRT membership soon included chapters in numerous Texas cities, quickly outgrowing its first home. The primary headquarters of the Daughters of the Texas Republic is now located at 510 Anderson Lane in Austin.
From 1993-1995, The Cradle was restored and furnished to reflect the original 1800s furnishings. It is operated as a museum by members of the Sidney Sherman DRT chapter. Curator Gwen LaSalle gave this Texas Hill Country writer a private tour of The Cradle on a recent visit. To make an appointment to tour the museum and hear its fascinating history, call 713-582-1914.
DRT co-founder Betty Ballinger also campaigned to produce statues of Texas patriots Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin to place in Statuary Hall at the Washington DC Capitol. The project was completed in 1903. Following the horrific 1900 Galveston Hurricane, Miss Ballinger (who never married) became involved in organizations like the Women’s Health Protective Association, working to improve conditions for all residents of the island. In 1912, Ballinger served as VP of Galveston Equal Suffrage Association.
