Old Red was completed in 1890 as the home of the University of Texas Medical Department, now known as UTMB. The Medical Department, housed entirely in the new building, opened for its first session on Oct. 5, 1891, with 23 students and 13 faculty. Designed by renowned architect Nicholas C. Clayton, who also designed many other Galveston landmarks, Old Red was built in the Romanesque Revival style. The building’s colorful nickname comes from the construction materials Clayton chose—red pressed brick, red Texas granite and sandstone.
For the complete story on Old Red: http://www.utmb.edu/tour/oldred/Old_red_2003.pdf