Galveston Historical Foundation opens the doors to Galveston’s architectural history through public tours of privately owned homes during its annual Galveston Historic Homes Tour. Large, small, and everything in between, the 2023 tour will have something for everyone. Tours will be held on May 6, 7, 13, and 14 from 10am to 6pm.
“The annual historic homes tour features everything from recent large-scale residential restorations to small livable coastal cottages,” explains Dwayne Jones, Galveston Historical Foundation's Executive Director.
“We are bringing some of the finest examples of historic island properties to tour. The 2023 tour is once again a great introduction to the island’s architecture for newcomers as well as a familiar set of wonderful properties to those who have attended GHF’s homes tours for years.”
In addition to the tours, the annual event features numerous special events, allowing guests unique experiences in many of the tour homes and historic sites across the island. Special event tickets are only available online on the GHF website.
For general information questions, please call 409.765.3424. For group sales of 20 or more, please call 409.765.3432. Tickets are not sold for individual homes. There are no discounts for children; infants in arms are free.
Tickets are $50 for non-members and are available online at www.galvestonhistory.org/homestour or by calling 409.765.7834. Members of Galveston Historical Foundation can purchase specially priced tickets by logging into their #GalvestonHistory+ account. All tickets are non-refundable.
2023 HOMES ON TOUR
McKinney-McDonald House, Built 1890
926 Winnie
In 1890, Liberty and Annie McKinney hired English contractor William Evans to build this commanding Victorian house. One of the most remarkably detailed houses in the East End Historic District, decorative elements of the ornate double gallery include gooseneck pendants, undulating arches, and mariner’s wheel motifs. Damaged by fire in 1993, GHF purchased the house in 2011 to save it from demolition. Featured on previous tours as a “restoration in progress,” the current owner recently completed rehabilitation of the prestigious property after purchasing it from GHF.
Julius Lobenstein Tenant Cottage, Built 1890
1212 19th Street
Capitalist Julius Lobenstein built this side-gable Victorian cottage in 1890 for use as tenant property. Lobenstein was born in Germany and immigrated to New Braunfels, Texas before he relocated to Galveston in 1846. Located in the Lost Bayou Historic District, the tenant cottage is one of several investment properties built by Lobenstein in the neighborhood.
George Bendixen Corner Store & Residence, Built 1892
3128 Avenue L
German immigrant George Bendixen built this corner store with attached residential wing in 1892. The building served Old Central Neighborhood as a grocery for 76 years and is representative of a vernacular form identified as a square or rectangular building with a hipped roof and entries oriented toward the corner. Recently rehabilitated for residential purposes, the owner contracted with a designer for a modern interior complementary to the building’s architecture.
Charles and Estelle Miller House, Built 1899
1826 Avenue K
Located in the Lost Bayou Historic District, Charles and Estelle Miller built this L-plan Victorian house in 1899 for use as their primary residence. GHF acquired the house after it was damaged by fire in 2018. GHF’s Revolving Fund, established in 1973 to save endangered buildings from demolition and stimulate revitalization of The Strand, supported the purchase and rehabilitation of the house that was acquired by the current owners in 2020.
James and Mary Prindiville House, Built 1901
1127 Avenue M
New Orleans native and plaster contractor James J. Prindiville built this gable-front Victorian cottage with inset porch in 1901. When completed, the property served as his office and family’s residence. Located blocks from the beach in the San Jacinto Neighborhood, the house replaced their previous residence destroyed by the 1900 Storm.
Edmund and Lorena Toebelman House, Built 1905
1113 Church Street
In 1905, real estate agent Edmund Toebelman and his wife, Lorena, contracted with German carpenter Henry Rabe to build this Victorian house according to plans drawn by architect Donald McKenzie. Elevated seven feet on colossal concrete piers, the architectural massing of the East End Historic District house dominates the surrounding streetscape. Notable architectural features include an inset front porch supported by smooth Ionic columns and original interior millwork.
Joseph and Frances Gengler House, Built 1905
2102 Avenue P
In 1904, Joseph Gengler married Frances Ellen Beaver, and a year later, they contracted with William Janssen to build this high-raised Victorian cottage. Located on a corner lot in the San Jacinto Neighborhood, the L-plan house features a wrap-around porch that takes advantage of breezes from the Gulf of Mexico located one block south.
Nathan and Mary Spence House, Built 1906
1928 Avenue O
Nathaniel Spence, proprietor of the Texas Produce & Commission Company, and wife Mary Ann Topliffe, contracted with Galveston-born architect Donald McKenzie to build this somewhat restrained Victorian house in 1906. McKenzie designed a number of Galveston buildings in the early 20th century and is considered one of the city’s best 20th-century architects.
City National Bank Building, Built 1920
2219 Market Street
Chicago architects Weary & Alford designed this Neoclassical stone building to house William L. Moody Jr.’s City National Bank. Renamed Moody National Bank in 1953, the bank operated until 1962 and later housed a local museum. GHF acquired the building in 2020 and recently completed rehabilitation for residential use.
Joseph and Edith Eiband House, Built 1928
3112 Broadway
Architect Raymond Rapp Sr. designed this Colonial Revival brick house for Joseph and Edith Eiband. Eiband was employed as general manager of Eiband’s Department Store, founded by his father in 1895 and once the largest privately owned retailer in the county. Located on Broadway, the Eiband House is one of the last residences constructed for a prominent family after the grand avenue was declared a state highway and first paved roadway to Houston.