Lost

1892 Charles L. Flake House

3601 Avenue M, Galveston

Destroyed by fire on October 4, 2019. Built in 1892 by Charles L. Flake, this two-story Victorian structure has been vacant and abandoned since 2008. The corner structure’s neglected state brings down the overall appearance of the block. Located in an unprotected neighborhood, preservation of the property is critical, as not to allow the house to pass the point of no return which could result in demolition. Due to the property’s prominence on the corner of the block, the continued decline of the house could also threaten current preservation efforts occurring in the area.

1517 and 1519 Church Street

Built 1886, rebuilt 1888

Built in 1886 and rebuilt in 1888, these two buildings were demolished by court order due to neglect in March 2019. Both properties were intended as tenant houses for African Americans and were most likely built by Moses Knodell, a dealer in “paints, oils, window glass, and painters supplies” at his shop located at 1920 Strand. Both properties contributed to the East End Historic District, representing the diminutive residences that were once abundant in the district.

GHF added the houses to our Heritage At Risk List in 2015. Both had been vacant for several years and were minimally maintained. Offers to buy the houses from the owner were denied.

Old Barbour’s Chapel Baptist Church

801 Martin Luther King, Texas City

Built 1913, renovated 1945, demolished 2018

In the early part of the 20th century, Reverend R. C. Barbour moved to Texas City from Galveston, where he led the congregation at Macedonia Baptist Church. With a vision to provide spiritual leadership to African Americans, in 1913, he purchased a parcel of land on the corner of Eighth Street South and First Avenue North (now Martin Luther King Avenue), located in the city’s second division. A small wooden church building was soon erected. The wharf on Bay Street served as the baptismal pool for new concerts. Rev. Barbour continued for seven years, leaving in 1920 to return to Galveston before eventually moving to Tennessee. The wood church became the property of the Old Landmark Association. Over the next few decades, the organizational structure of the church grew, shepherded by seven pastors between 1920 and 1943 when the Rev. J. H. Scott took the helm as the first full-time pastor. In 1945, the wooden church was renovated and became known as the “little church with a big heart.” After the Texas City Disaster in 1947, Barbour’s Chapel opened its doors to the community for emergency medical care, food, clothing, and temporary shelter. It was the first African American Church in Galveston County to establish an educational fund to encourage and provide financial assistance to its college students. Today, the old church is located within the designated “green belt” surrounding the refineries and petroleum plants located at Texas City’s port. In 2006, a new edifice was built and the congregation was moved from Old Barbour’s, affectionately known as “The Castle”, to the new location at 7420 FM1765. Old Barbour’s Chapel is a very special place in the hearts of African Americans of Mainland Galveston County. It is located a block from the only other landmark that symbolizes African American heritage in the community, Booker T. Washington African American School. With the appropriate care, Old Barbour’s could become a facility to house and display historical documents and artifacts as well as a place for classes, activities and special events. Most of all, its existence would help to preserve, and be a reminder to all citizens of the community’s shared heritage.

1424-1428 Strand Street

Built c.1870, Rebuilt 1908, Remodeled 1932

Early 20th-century insurance records for this corner, lots 13 and 14, indicate the age of the buildings as “old” or built “about 1870.” Galveston City Directories, beginning in 1908, indicate the structures were used as tenant property until 1928, when purchased by Manuel Ramirez, and his wife, Modesta. Ramirez was listed in the city directory that year as a carpenter and it is likely he did much of the work that occurred prior to the opening of his restaurant, Dove Chili Parlor, established in 1932. Also known as La Paloma Mexican Café as well as Modesta’s Café, the restaurant was a meeting place for many of the Hispanic immigrants that called the area home. In 1938, Ramirez hired Manual Flores to design “warrior Indians” and a “wishing well” for the chili parlor. Mr. Flores was a mason by trade and when offered the commission by Ramirez, he sold his League City property and relocated to Galveston, living above the restaurant while he created the designs. A father of eleven children, Mr. Flores worked closely with the masons of Galveston through the years. He also designed and created the niche, or arch, that covers the Virgin Mary at The Queen of Angels Church in Dickinson, Texas, which still stands at 41000 Texas Highway 3. His artwork at 1428 Strand is a source of Mexican/Hispanic pride and heritage, worthy of preservation.

1872 William and Annie Outterside House

2805 Avenue L, Galveston

Built in 1872 by early Galvestonians William and Annie Outterside, the two-story, five-bay center-hall house is an early surviving example of a French mansard roof house with an S-curve roof over the front veranda. Brick veneer was added to the house at a later date. The house is included in the City of Galveston Hurricane Ike Disaster Recovery Program and is slated to be demolished and replaced with a new house. The city Landmark Commission granted a 90-day stay, which expired on April 6, 2014. The only scenario to save the house at this point is to move it to another location, where it could become a contributing element reinforcing another historic neighborhood.

4100-4500 Seawall Boulevard (2013 List)

The Fort Crockett Military Hospital and Housing Properties, 4100-4500 Seawall Boulevard, were originally put on the list in 2003. These former Fort Crockett buildings ranged from a pre-World War I hospital to non-commissioned officer housing built in 1939. When the Federal government sold the property it placed protective covenants on the buildings through the Texas Historical Commission but a later court decision voided protective covenants and the buildings were demolished by the current owner who plans a 24-hour urgent care clinic for the site.