Sweeney-Royston House

The Sweeney-Royston house is an excellent example of the 1t story-raised Victorian cottage, popular in Galveston in the late 19th century. The house exhibits a number of unique details such as the mariner's wheel motif in the balustrade, the angular dormer windows and the decorative window that pierces one of the chimneys on the west facade. Completed in 1885, the house was built and furnished by one of Galves- ton's most interesting nineteenth-century businessmen, J.M. Brown, as a honeymoon cottage for his daughter, Matilda and new son-in-law, Thomas Sweeny. According to local tradition, Nicholas Clayton, Galveston's most important nineteenth-century architect, served as the architect for the house, although plans have not been located.

Thomas Sweeney came to Galveston from Boston to work with his brother in the stevedoring business. In 1878 he went into business with Jens Moller and Co. Shipbrokers and Agents. With Sweeney as a partner, the company diversified and Sweeney held the major position as Secretary of the Affiliated Galveston Steamship and Lighter Co.

After the death of Mr. Sweeney in 1905, Mrs. Sweeney sold the house to Mr. John Harvey Steele. He and his wife lived at 2402 Avenue L for two years. After their departure, the house stood vacant until Judge Mart Royston acquired the home in 1911.
Judge Royston was undoubtedly a scholar who for many years contributed to the professional and cultural life of the city. In 1927, after practicing law for thirty-five years alone, he formed a partnership with J. Newton Rayzor. At the present time, the firm exists as Royston, Rayzor, Vickery, and Williams with offices both in Galveston and Houston. The Roystons (Judge Royston, his sisters, Maud and Elizabeth) lived in the home from 1911 to 1954. The Judge died in August of 1948 and when the last sister died, the house was left to the Trinity Episcopal Church.

Mr. Floyd F. Sanborn and his wife purchased the house from the church in June 1955. He was employed by the Y.M.C.A. and then transferred to another city in 1960, sold the house to Dr. Herndon Clark and his wife, Houstonians, who used it as a weekend cottage.
Sometime between 1960 and 1966, Dr. Clark died. His heirs sold the house to Herbert Hudler, Jr., an architect, who established his office downstairs and allowed Richard Fowles, a Galveston artist, to use the upstairs for his studio. Mr. Hudler removed the room which had been added to the rear of the house by Judge Royston and also the garage. In September of 1968 when Mr. and Mrs. Paul Powell purchased the house, it was in poor condition. At this time many homes and buildings were being demolished and replaced with modern structures.

During the past three years, tours have been provided for groups of school children, interior design students, senior citizens, and other individuals, many of whom are planning to restore old homes themselves.