Beissner, Henry, House

Fine wood caring and carpentry reached a high state of the art in Galveston, Texas, in the last quarter of the 19th century; as evidenced by the Henry Beissner House at 2818 Ball Avenue. Wood was a favored building material in Galveston, and Henry Beissner, a cypress lumber dealer, built a house that represents the richness and variety of de-tailing and texture that could be achieved in wood. Inspiration for the design and ornamentation of the Beissner House is freely drawn from contemporary styles; especially the Eastlake and Queen Anne Styles. It is in the areas of stylistic interpretation and the superior handling of materials in a medium-sized dwelling that makes the Beissner House outstanding. The Beissner House also is a representative example of the many fine residences in this area of Galveston which have received little recognition. Henry Beissner was born in Welsede, Germany on June 1, 1837. He sailed to Galveston in 1855 where he worked for his uncles Charles L. Beissner (1809-1882), the pioneer hotel keeper of the city, and George W. Beissner, then engaged in the liquor business. Galveston was the point of entry for a vast majority of German immigrants coming to the United States. Many of them remained in Galveston to become leading citizens, especially in business and the building trades. In 1861 Henry married Helena Kaper, a native of Germany, and with her aid and counsel went into business for himself. He first operated a small but successful coffee house until he was conscripted into the Confederate Army in 1864. Returning to Galveston after the war, he became a wholesale and retail grocer and pursued that endeavor for about 12 years (1870-1882). In 1883, with an assessed worth of $41,640 in property, Henry purchased the lots on Ball Avenue, plus an adjacent lot (block 328, lots 10-12, book 44, pg. 261 of the Galveston County Records) for $4,500 including three structures that had been built between 1881 and 1883. At this time, Henry opened a cypress lumber yard and maintained his office and residence in his old grocery store, located on the southwest corner of 29th and Market Streets, and listed himself in the 1884-1885 City Directory as a cypress lumber dealer. Between this time and the publishing date of the 1890-1891 Directory, Henry replaced the three existing structures at 2818 Ball with the Beissner House at a new assessed value of $7,900. for lots and improvements, (Galveston City tax records) 1884-1910, Ashton Villa, Galveston). He moved his office and residence here, as evidenced by the advertisement appearing in the 1890-91 Directory classified advertisements. His wife Helena, son Henry, jr. (born 1874), and daughter lived here with him. Shortly thereafter, about 1893-1894, Henry began winding up his affairs and dispensed with the lumber yard prior to retiring. He held considerable investments in Galveston real estate and stock in local enterprises. Beissner died in 1908.

In 1914 Helena Beissner sold the house and 2 lots (11 & 12) to the Hebrew Benevolent Association, who used it as a synagogue from 1914-1923. The Association in turn sold it to Harry Fradkin who maintained it as rental property until his death in 1972.

The Galveston Historical Foundation acquired the property and sold it to the present owners, who plan extensive restoration. Lots 11 and 12 have been subdivided, with the Beissner house standing on Lot 12 and a 4-unit apartment remaining to the rear on Lot 11, retained by the previous owners.

The house is locally known as "Noah's Ark", which is said to derive from its use as a sanctuary during the 1900 hurricane and flood. The subsequent grade-raising did not affect the house; the elevation and appearance of the foundation remain almost unaltered.
Much of the area has deteriorated and been demolished, but some blocks, including the 2800 block of Ball remain relatively intact. Although there is a large portion of rental property and public housing in the area, many dwellings are owner-occupied and are well maintained. The Beissner House was built in a thriving neighborhood of medium to large dwellings and at the time of its construction was probably the strongest architectural statement in the neighborhood. Interest is reviving in this area of Galveston and the planned rehabilitation of the Beissner house will provide a needed impetus for further work.