Hagemann, John, House
a.k.a. Hagemann-Cobb House
3301 Ave. L, Galveston, TXThe Hagemann House represents a good example of a transitional Italianate- Queen Anne style residence in Galveston and is particularly noteworthy for its wrap-around veranda with an ogee curve roof. This uncommon ogee-shaped roof is, perhaps, the only illustration of its kind in Galveston, a city well known for its eclectic, Victorian-era architecture. Hagemann, a prosperous grocer and produce merchant of the late 1800s, contracted Richard Zincke to build the house in 1892. The two-story wood frame residence stands today in excellent condition with only minor alterations to its original appearance.
The structure exhibits a combination of two architectural styles popular during the late 19th century in Galveston. The hip roof and broad eaves with supportive brackets demonstrate an Italianate influence on the house. On the other hand, the asymmetrical plan and the ornate woodwork exhibited on the porch are characteristic of Queen Anne-style residences, thus creating a stylistic hybrid. The house's porch with an ogee curve roof is its most distinctive architectural feature and may possibly be the only example of its kind in the city.
City directories indicate that John Hagemann lived and worked as a grocer on the north side of Avenue I (Sealy) between Bath (25th) and 26th streets during the late 1870s and 1880s. Like many other businessmen of Galveston of that era, Hagemann's operations soon expanded, and by 1889 he had relocated his business onto the Strand, Galveston's commercial hub and, at that time, Texas' most important financial center.
Hagemann soon decided to erect a fine residence to symbolize his wealth. He purchased lot seven and the eastern half of lot six of block thirty-three from John R. Gross. And on September 10, 1892, Hagemann contracted Richard Zincke to erect the house at 3301 Avenue L. Remaining in the Hagemann family until the 1920s, the house has since been owned by several other families. Fortunately, the house has changed little since its completion, and it still retains much of its original integrity. The present owners purchased the house in 1974, and have completely refurbished the house.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.