Page 35 - Galveston Monthly Apr2019
P. 35
One Saturday night in November heidenheimer Castle was dismantled
1973 while Charlotte was in St. Mary’s and salvaged architectural elements
hospital recovering from surgery, were sold off piece by piece. The
the police department received an Castle was torn down in 1975.
anxious call from a neighbor of the Not long after the Castle had been
heidenheimer Castle, reporting that razed, Peter Brink, the Executive
juveniles were carrying some of the Director of the Galveston historical
house’s contents away. Just a few foundation at the time, approached
hours later, the grand structure was island native E. Douglas McLeod
engulfed by fire. firemen battled the about purchasing the site and
flames for hours, but in the end most developing a residential project that
of the furnishings and contents of the would conform with the historical
stone structure were destroyed, and structures of the area.
the building was heavily damaged. McLeod agreed to purchase the
Charlotte decided to sell the Castle former heidenheimer property.
and J. E. Cooper, Jr. of Texas City Working closely with Ghf and
purchased the partially destroyed renowned houston architect Dean
home the following May with the Robert h. Timme, McLeod designed
intention of restoring the structure, a plan to develop six condominiums
but he was transferred by his (now called The heidenheimer
employer before that came to be. Condominiums), which were
An attempt to auction off the home completed in 1977.
was made, but no bids were received. in some ways the Castle still lives
Cooper delayed demolition to provide on. When the 1858 hendley Building
an opportunity for late bidders. on The Strand was being restored
The estate auction of Cooper and
Images courtesy of Rosenberg Library Photo of condos by John Hall numerous household items from replace damaged floorboards. GM
in 1979, floor wood from the
his wife in September 1974 listed
heidenheimer Castle was used to
the Castle, including a cherry wood
ABOvE fROM TOP: A look down 1700 Sealy
settee, matching chair, two oak chests,
with heidenheimer Castle on left in
cypress shutters, newel posts, and a
1904; heidenheimer Castle in 1974 after
stairway handrail.
a fire damaged it; The heidenheimer
Soon after the estate auction, the
Condominiums in March 2019. OPPOSiTE
property was sold in October 1974
PAGE fROM TOP: The heidenheimer Castle in
for $17,500. What remained of the
1967; the stone piazza and ruins garden.
APRIL 2019 | GALVESTON MONTHLY | 35
