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Set Sail to the 38th annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour May 5, 6, 12 and 13, 2012 and Get Ready to Set Sail!
Galveston Historical Foundation Announces Line-up of Homes for this year’s tour and Grand New Giveaway!
View the 2012 tour map
Steeped in history, rich in style and standing as a testament to survival on a barrier island, the Galveston Historic Homes Tour once again brings you a variety of privately owned homes, only open during the first two weekends in May. Visitors of this year’s tour will have the opportunity to view ten distinct homes each with its unique story and character.
Purchasing a ticket to this year’s Homes Tour not only offers the ability to tour these wonderful properties but also enters each purchaser in a giveaway to win a cruise. Offered by GHF and GalvestonCruises.com one lucky ticket purchaser will win a cruise, worth $3,000 on any cruise line out of Galveston Island, at any time and for any destination! See giveaway rules and details at www.galvestonhistory.org/cruisegiveaway.
2012 Homes on Tour:
Louis and Margaret Wenzel Cottage, 1870
2002 Avenue N ½
Originally owned by Louis and Margaret Wenzel, early German immigrants to Galveston, this 1870s vernacular cottage has been moved twice. In 1959, the old house was moved from the front of the lot at the original location on Broadway, to the back, making room for a street-front commercial bicycle shop. Vacant from 1961 to 1978, it was moved that year to its current lot at 2002 Avenue N ½ by concerned Galvestonians with an interest in historic preservation.
John L. Darragh Tenant House, 1886
1510 Church Street
Originally located in the 1800 block of Postoffice Street, this double gallery, side hall Victorian was one of three identical structures built by John L. Darragh in 1886 as rental property after a fire in 1885 destroyed more than 40 blocks of homes, creating a housing shortage. After two of the houses were demolished, GHF was able to relocate this house in 1992 to the site of John L. Darragh’s residence, which burned two years prior.
Restoration In Progress
McKinney-McDonald House, 1890
926 Winnie
GHF purchased this formidable Victorian residence in January 2011 in order to save it from the threat of demolition. Built in 1890 for Liberty S. and Annie McKinney, the commanding 2 ½ story frame house was vacant since sustaining fire damage in 1993. GHF’s purchase of the McKinney-McDonald house continues the work of the Foundation’s Revolving Fund, celebrating its 40th year, which enables the stabilization of endangered properties in support of neighborhood revitalization.
Christian Wolfer Tenant Cottage, 1891
3101 Avenue Q
Built in 1891 by German carpenter Christian L. Wolfer, this Victorian gable-front cottage was donated to GHF by the owners with the condition that the building be relocated. Moved by GHF in February, 2010, this Hurricane Ike ravaged structure was renovated by GHF and has received local, state and national awards. It combines modern energy efficiency with the charm of a historic cottage
Robert and Carrie Palliser House, 1895
1904 Avenue M
Prominent local contractor, Robert Palliser, built this raised three-bay, two-story house with double verandas in 1895 for his residence. An English immigrant, Palliser’s works included Galveston’s Grand Hotel and Opera House, the First National Bank Building and City Hall (demolished). He married Carrie Elbert Hess in 1898. The couple and their children lived at 1904 Avenue M until 1921.
August J. Henck Cottage, 1897
1412 Sealy
In 1897, prominent German real estate broker and builder August J. Henck built this raised Victorian five-bay-wide cottage for his residence. The L-shape structure features a projecting chamfered bay, crowned by a gabled roof, with dove tail shingles and ornamental brackets at the cornice level. The bay, combined with other Queen Anne decorative elements and original art glass windows throughout the design make this cottage a visual delight.
Charles F. Rhode Co., Island City Cigar Factory, 1898
2001 Postoffice Street
(entrance to loft, 509 20th Street)
German immigrant Charles Rhode built this two-story, two-part commercial building in 1898, to house his business, the Island City Cigar Factory. A typical design for turn of the century commercial buildings, the first floor features double storefronts featuring display windows and double door entries. In 2009, the current owners renovated the second floor, home to the Galveston Odd Fellow Lodge for 70 years, creating one large living space and additional efficiency apartment.
Josephine Drouet House, 1898
1409 Avenue M
Built by French immigrant Josephine Chambord Drouet after the death of her husband, Sebastian, this classic dormered Queen Anne cottage has been moved twice. Originally located at 1903 Avenue K, the structure was moved to 1720 Avenue O ½ in 1923. Saved from demolition by GHF in 2004, the house was moved a second time to 1409 Avenue M. In the spring of 2005 it was sold to preservation minded owners who embarked on a complete rehabilitation.
Oscar and Laurence Hoecker House, 1916
3315 Avenue O
This two-story Craftsman with porte-cochere was built by Oscar Rudolph Hoecker and his wife, Laurence Eugenia. Married in 1879, Oscar and Laurence had eleven children. In 1916, the couple built this house, containing six rooms with a den and kitchen, three halls, one bathroom, eight closets, a pantry and three porches. Insurance records indicate construction was completed in 20 days. The house remained in the Hoecker family until 1979.
Louis and Anita Runge House, 1916
1301 Market Street
Architect Anton F. Korn, a representative of New York architects Crow, Lewis & Wickenhoefer, designed this Italian villa for prominent German businessman Louis H. Runge and his wife, Anita. Built in 1916, the house remained in the Runge family until 1988 when it was sold to the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). The elegant property was used as the residence for the university’s presidents until 2004.
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