Galveston Historical Foundation opens the doors to Galveston’s incredible architectural history through public tours of privately-owned homes during its annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour.
Tours will be held on May 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th from 10am- 6pm. Tickets are available online at galvestonhistory.org for non-members at $30 until May 3rd, and then for $35 until May 12th. Members of Galveston Historical Foundation can purchase specially priced $25 tickets by calling (409)765-3405 or by visiting any of GHF’s retail locations.
“Our annual Historic Homes Tour highlights some of the best preservation projects on the island. This year we recognize more than forty-five years of preserving historic Galveston,” explains Dwayne Jones, Galveston Historical Foundation’s Executive Director. “There are few places in the country that have our quality and supply of historic properties. It’s what makes the island unique and a treasure for all who visit. Come help put more of the island into use and save your own small piece of history.”
2019 Homes on Tour
August Roemer Tenant House, built 1873: 1416 Sealy
August Roemer built this one-and-one-half-story Gulf Coast cottage with triple dormers in 1873 for use as rental property. The center-hall house features a notable entry with double doors and transom, turned balusters, and square porch columns. Roemer sold the house in 1879 to Julius and Elizabeth Ruhl, who used it as tenant property and a residence for extended family.
James and Amelia Byrnes House, built c.1881: Rehabilitation in Progress House: 2113 Ball Street
In 1883, paving and roofing contractor James Byrnes purchased this lot with an existing building. Byrnes “improved” the house in 1884, 1885, 1886 and 1895. Located adjacent to Galveston’s business district, the Byrnes House was used as an example of urban decay in 1969 during a city referendum on urban renewal. The current owners purchased the house in 2013 and began rehabilitation of the property.
Conrad and Henrike Lenz House, built 1887: 1807 Avenue L
Conrad Lenz built this center-hall, side-gable house with double dormers for use as his family residence. He and his wife, Henrike Pruessner, both emigrated from Germany to Galveston where they were married at First Lutheran Church. Lenz, a butcher, operated a shop and smokehouse next door, on the corner of 18th Street.
Allen and Lulu Cameron House, built 1891: 1126 Church Street
English born architect Henry Collier Cooke of the firm Bourgeois Nitchner & Cooke designed this two-story Victorian house for merchant Allen Cameron and his new bride, Lulu Aschoff. The house boasts an asymmetrical façade with double wrap-around galleries separated by a patterned shingle skirt, a decorative balustrade, and a widow’s walk. Cooke trained as an architect in England and Italy before he arrived in Galveston in 1891.
Lucas Terrace, built 1901-1908: 1407 Broadway
Brick mason and English immigrant Thomas Lucas erected this complex using salvaged bricks from his apartment building at 6th and Broadway destroyed by the 1900 Storm. Constructed between 1901 and 1908, Lucas Terrace features two connected gable-front three-story buildings. A courtyard separates the main buildings from two detached two-story servant’s quarters on the south part of the property. When completed, the apartments were advertised as being “superior” to all others in the city.
Peter and Augusta Nielson House, built 1915: 1711 Rosenberg Avenue (25th Street)
Peter Nielson, a Danish-born merchant tailor, built this two-story brick house with details inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement for use as his private residence. A year after construction, Nielson died suddenly. His widow, Augusta, maintained the residence until 1929, when she moved to Houston to live with family.
Iocopo Niccolai Tenant House, built 1922: 2416 38th Street
Italian immigrant carpenter, Iacopo Niccolai, relocated this five-room bungalow, along with eleven others, in March 1938. Originally on 15th Street, Niccolai concentrated the twelve properties within the 2400 block of 38th Street, which he called “Niccolai Subdivision.” Niccolai utilized the block as rental property until his death in 1947.
Peter and Anna Serini House, built 1903, rebuilt 1923: 1810 Avenue N ½
Alexander McLellan, a Canadian immigrant and a foreman for Southwestern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Company, moved to Galveston after the 1900 Storm. In 1902 he purchased this vacant lot, and in 1903 relocated an “old” house there. In 1913, Peter and Anna Serini purchased the property. The Serinis rebuilt the house in 1923, using “part old material,” according to the property’s original 1903 insurance record.
Events in conjunction with the Home Tours are HERE.
