Page 34 - Galveston Monthly Apr2019

islaNd hisTOrY | GALVESTON LOST

home, each with a marble mantle and European tile hearth. Reported in poor condition with many of the fireplaces being
One even had a secret panel for storing valuables - very castle- covered over time, it operated as a rooming house during
like, indeed. World War ii.
Similar aesthetics were provided to the outdoor spaces with James L. koroneck made repairs to the Castle after the war
the addition of six porches, a stone piazza, and a “ruins” garden in 1946, after which it once again operated as an apartment
after the style of the day. boarding house until 1954. Most of the 11 apartments had
The 1890s additions have occasionally been attributed to private baths, and the total monthly income from tenants was
Nicholas Clayton, but no proof exists of this. The theory was $428, approximately $4,470 today.
based on characteristics such as in 1954 and 1955, the home
the detailing of the home’s bay was successively owned by
windows. Robert f. Wilburn, a patrolman
heidenheimer’s last project for the Seafarer’s international
for his beloved Castle was the union, and John E. Gray who
construction of a conservatory operated it as a rooming house,
in March 1890. On february mostly for sailors.
22, 1891, he passed away from The Castle’s savior appeared
complications after surgery. in the form of Charlotte Ellen
his pallbearers were among Warner, who was determined
Galveston’s most prominent to bring back the Castle’s
citizens, including Julius Runge, dignity and original beauty.
h.M. Trueheart, i. Lovenberg, She purchased the home in
h. Marwitz, and J. Sonnenthiel. 1962, and moved into it with
The illustrious Rabbi Cohen her seaman husband kenith
performed his eulogy at the and daughter Ellen kay. They
funeral, which took place in the operated it as a rooming house
home. while painstakingly restoring
Though Samson left a generous the property room by room.
sum and the bulk of his She was instrumental in
$150,000 estate to his wife, his bringing attention back to
family took her to court and heidenheimer Castle by
won possession of the Castle. allowing inclusion of her home
The castle remained in the on a local tour just two years
heidenheimer family for later, while restoration was still
the remainder of the 19 in progress. her eight-year-
th
century with Abraham, isaac, old daughter Ellen kay took
Moses, David, or S. Mackay great pride in helping to show
heidenheimer either being visitors around, and regaled
listed as the owner or paying them with the story of how her
taxes at various times. mother had discovered a box
The home was not raised of seashells hidden inside the
during the grade raising that ceiling.
took place on the island in 1965, workmen digging in
between 1903 and 1905. The search of sewer pipes in the
first of the four floors became backyard uncovered a rusty,
a basement, with fill being laid old safe, which was pried open
close to the building. Wells were and discovered to be empty. it
dug to clear the lower level had been buried just below the
windows and a small flight of surface of an old brick patio.
steps was installed to reach the Though no one knew how it
front door. came to be there or to which
The family used the home as owner it had once belonged,
a boarding house for the next the decision was made to leave
two decades, and the property it in place.
subsequently suffered neglect. Restoration of the Castle Images courtesy of Rosenberg Library
in 1936 the Castle left the heidenheimer family, when it sold and it’s grounds continued over the next couple of years. Photo of condos by John Hall
to W. i. N. hammons for $2,500 and became a rest home. unfortunately in 1968, kenith passed away and the immense
hammons then sold it to Raphael B. Munvine, but in the late- home became a challenge to maintain and restore for
1930s, it remained vacant. Charlotte.

34 | GALVESTON MONTHLY | APRIL 2019