Essential members of the Port Lavaca community gathered on Main Street despite some gloom and drizzle on January, 21st, 2012 to dedicate the Dean and Barbara Johnstone building, at 309 E. Main Street in Port Lavaca, which has been recently restored to serve as a local art gallery.

The event was attended by local names such as Port Lavaca Mayor Jack Whitlow, City Manager Bob Turner, Russel Cain, historian and long time local resident Jan Regan, the Rev. Dean Holford, Calhoun County Commissioner Neil Fritsch and the honorable Judge Michael Pfeifer.

The building, which has been a part of Main Street since it was built in 1907, was bought by husband and wife team Dean and Barbara Johnstone, who have restored other buildings on the historic street.

Built in 1907 by a man known only as Cruces, the building has survived two hurricanes and also served as the town laundry from the 1940s until the 1970s. The building, after changing hands several times was donated to the Port Lavaca Main Street Committee, who then sold it to the Johnstone’s with the promise that the couple would restore the location to it’s former glory.
Johnstone and his wife plan to restore other buildings in the future, with Dean Johnstone himself saying that the goal is to begin “restoring the tradition of Main Street businesses…(you can) feel the energy of downtown. Everybody loves a downtown, and you can (almost]) feel the nutrients in the soil.”

Port Lavaca Mayor Jack Whitlow stated that the building at 309 Main would be a boon not only for Port Lavaca, but the surrounding areas as well:
“I think [the building] is an education of our historical past, looking into the future it will also bring in tourism. It’s a great start for Port Lavaca. It will give our local citizens a heart to reach out from to other communities.”

The gallery, hosting a mixture of historical photographs, watercolors and wildlife photography will be open to the public most weekends and Dean and Barbara have plans to also hold photography classes on the property in the near future.

The event was also attended by the American Legion, with a reception held at the Texas Traditions restaurant on Main Street after the ceremony.