McKinney-McDonald House
a.k.a. McDonald-Lee House
926 Winnie St., Galveston, TXThe McKinney-McDonald House is significant to Galveston as one of the fine examples of Victorian architecture which survived the devastating Hurricane of 1900 and represents an example of the evolution of Galves- ton's rich 19th-century architectural heritage. Located near the East End Historic District, the house is similar to the Victorian houses represented in the district but is distinctive as an excellent example of the elaborately detailed Eastlake style.
Built ca. 1889 by Liberty S. McKinney, the house has features typical of Galveston homes during this period---the two-stary, raised, frame structure with a prominent double gallery. However, the McKinney- McDonald House represents a subtle break away from the symmetrical Victorian houses typical of Galveston and introduces elements, such as the front bay, off-set gallery, projecting corner pavilions, and the northeast corner wing. In addition, the house is particularly unique in its lavish display of ornamentation. The bays have richly molded detail and carved friezes. The gallery on the south and east facades displays bold three-dimensional detail in a variety of curved, circular, and rounded shapes, rows of spindles, and turned posts. Even the foundation of the house and rear chimney have elaborate brick molding and decorative detail.
Liberty S. McKinney who had moved to Galveston in 1876, built this prominent home ca. 1889. During the Hurricane of 1900, the McKinney family and several friends survived the storm shelter in this house. McKinney was engaged in the wholesale grocery business for 20 years, but in 1898 branched into the real estate and insurance business in partnership with J. L. Boddeker and E. D. Beall. By 1901, however, McKinney sold the business and the house to Boddeker and presumably left Galveston. Boddeker probably rented the house between 1901-1905, for there is no evidence he ever lived at this address.
In 1905 the house was sold to Dominic D. McDonald, a young attorney in Galveston. McDonald was born in Pentwater, Michigan, in 1871 and received his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1893. Shortly, thereafter, he moved to Galveston, Texas, where he practiced law for nearly 50 years.
McDonald replaced all the trees and shrubbery that were lost in the Great Storm and the 14 live oak trees on the grounds date to this time. He was also responsible for filling in the basement during the island grade-raising in 1907. Judge McDonald died in 1941 and was survived by his wife Elva LeMoine McDonald and three children. Mrs. McDonald continued to live in the house until her death in 1972.
The present owners bought the McKinney-McDonald House in 1973 and are in the process of restoring the structure.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
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.