A Second Chance

This past February, we were about to sell a house that we moved to 1605 Avenue K, using our revolving fund. That house was later featured as a rehabilitation-in-progress during our Historic Homes Tour and is now nearing completion. The owner of a house in the next block approached us about purchasing his house, after a fire caused minor damage. The GHF Real Estate Committee reviewed the property and decided it was an important early house for Galveston and should be saved.

The first thing was to clear the vegetation from the site, and begin removing literally tons of trash from within the house. The fire did no structural damage to the house, which we believe could date to the 1850s. A new roof was installed, charred wood and loose plaster removed and 1920s porch columns were replaced with ones more appropriate to the original construction date. Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps show that the house was originally constructed on the adjacent lot, at the corner of 16th Street and Avenue K but was moved to its current location sometime after the 1900 Storm. A back T-shaped gallery continues the axis of the first floor hallway and opens to a large back yard with a canopy of pecan trees.

The house has 2,000 sq. ft. of space and has two slate mantles (one damaged by the heat of the fire), a claw-foot tub, pocket doors between two rooms and French doors between rooms on the opposite side of the first floor hall. The house is receiving a fresh coat of paint on the exterior this week and will soon be available for sale to someone ready to put their personal touch on this circa 150 year-old structure.