Real Estate for Sale

1890 McKinney/McDonald House
926 Winnie Avenue – Galveston, TX

Add your touch to one of Galveston’s most distinct Victorian homes.

The McKinney/McDonald House has captured the attention and imagination of many visitors to Galveston Island, but has sat vacant since a fire in January 1993.  The once-majestic residence was recently purchased by the Galveston Historical Foundation, and is currently undergoing a major improvement project.  This includes foundation repairs, reconstruction of the widow’s walk and roof (with a patterned shingle to match the original), reconstruction of the front porch and details and painting of the exterior.  

Built in 1890 for the merchant and importer, Liberty S. McKinney and his wife, Annie, the house was sold in 1907 to trial lawyer and later judge, Dominic D. McDonald.  The McDonald Family owned the house until 1974, during which time it was included in Howard Barnstone’s Galveston That Was, a book instrumental in bringing attention to Galveston’s historic buildings.  Large rooms, unique exterior detailing and a spiral staircase recall the feel of Victorian Galveston.  Once restored, the widow’s walk will afford views of the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Harbor.

The current project will stabilize the house and renovate the exterior.  The interior of the building will need complete renovation, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall, floors, etc.  A recently renovated 885 sq. ft. (2br/1bath) garage apartment borders the alley, at the back of the property. 

The main house is 4,100 sq. ft. on two floors, and sits on two city lots (85’x120’ total).  Located blocks from the University of Texas Medical School, the apartment may be easily rented to students or used as a residence while renovating the front house.

Included in this price:

• Foundation repairs and parging over brick

• Front porch replacement and replication of missing decorative elements

• Roof and framing removal and replacement, (including shingle pattern, widows walk, ridge caps and railing) – lifetime warranty on roof

• Replacement of rotten wood framing and exterior siding

• Reworking of existing windows to an operable and weathertight condition

• Improve drainage on site to prevent runoff under house

• Replicate and install doors at front entry

• Prep, prime and paint exterior

• Reconstruct missing balcony at east side (as seen in 1894 photo)

List Price:  $399,000

For information, contact Brian Davis, GHF Director of Preservation Services at brian.davis@galvestonhistory.org or 409.765.3419

3320 Avenue O – John Charles Harris Residence

Date of Construction: 1891
Lot size: 42’-10” x 95’
Building size: approx. 1,500 sq. ft.
List Price: $79,700

Built for attorney John Charles Harris in 1891, this 1,500 sq. ft., two-story Victorian cottage’s floor plan incorporates a unique design that is suggestive of architectural plan books of the period. The Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) recently purchased the property with its Revolving Fund to stabilize the house, which was damaged in a fire around 2005.

GHF installed radiant-barrier decking and a new roof on the original portion of the house. A flat-roofed addition was removed, and exterior siding and foundation piers were repaired. A 1950s brick addition to the front porch received a pergola and stucco over the brick, to make it blend better with the style of the original structure. If desired, GHF will work with the buyer to develop a plan to reduce energy consumption and incorporate sustainable systems during their buildout. The lot size is 42’-10” x 95’ and does not include the 2-story building behind the house.

As with most properties GHF purchases to stabilize with its Revolving Fund, the interior will remain untouched, awaiting the design and personal taste of the buyer. While the exterior repairs are included in the sales price, the house will need new wiring, plumbing, etc. Since 1972, GHF has used its Revolving Fund to purchase and stabilize over 75 endangered properties. Once a property is sold, the proceeds return to the fund, to purchase and stabilize another endangered building.

Recent GHF Revolving Fund projects include the Green Revival House at 3101 Avenue Q, which was certified LEED for Homes Platinum earlier this year - the highest level of energy efficiency a house can achieve. GHF moved this Hurricane Ike-damaged cottage to a new site and showed that a historic house can be made energy efficient. GHF is currently making repairs to the 1890 McKinney/McDonald House at 926 Winnie, an important house which has sat vacant since a fire in 1993.

Construction is nearing completion, and the window repairs, exterior painting and parging of the brick porch will be completed as part of GHF’s scope of work. For more information on 3320 Avenue O, please contact Brian Davis brian.davis@galvestonhistory.org 409.765.3419 or Matthew Pelz matthew.pelz@galvestonhistory.org 409.765.3423 in the Preservation Services Department at GHF.

3801 Winnie Avenue – Gustav Butterowe Cottage

Date of Construction: 1882
Lot size: 42’-10” x 76’-3”
Building size: approx. 1,400 sq. ft.
List Price: $99,500 – sliding scale based on qualified buyer

Built as an investment property for Gustav Butterowe in 1891, this 1,400 sq. ft., center-hall cottage was slated for demolition until purchased by the Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF). GHF purchased and rehabilitated this house using grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the City of Galveston Grants and Housing Department. As part of the affordable housing grant to GHF as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), the family living in this residence must qualify as low-to-moderate income.

This three bedroom, two bath house includes a new range, refrigerator, HVAC system and off-street parking. A fenced yard is ideal for pets. Original hardwood floors have been refinished in the main portion of the house and washer/dryer connections are located in a utility closet. A brick patio and back yard are good for weekend gatherings.

List price for the property is $99,500 and the price will be discounted, based on the percentage of the median household income levels determined by HUD for the Galveston area. For example, if the qualified buyer makes 80% of the median household income for the Galveston area, the price will be 80% of the list price. The owner of the property does not have to be owned by a low-to-moderate income family, but the inhabitants over the next 15 years must qualify as low-to-moderate income, as a condition of the CHDO program.

For more information on 3801 Winnie Avenue, please contact Brian Davis brian.davis@galvestonhistory.org 409.765.3419 or Matthew Pelz matthew.pelz@galvestonhistory.org 409.765.3423 in the Preservation Services Department at GHF.