Galveston in Galveston County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Former Site of Heidenheimer's Castle

Photographed By Jim Evans, May 23, 2012

1. Former Site of Heidenheimer's Castle Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In 1857 John S. Sydnor (1812-1869), former Galveston mayor, built the original two-story, eight-room structure at this site. Samson Heidenheimer (1834-1891) bought it in 1884. The German-born Heidenheimer began with a $100 loan and built a fortune as a Confederate blockade runner. He was associated with Sydnor and his son Seabrook in an auction business. Heidenheimer enlarged the house to four stories and 37 rooms and added castle-like tower and turrets. It changed owners many times after his death, burned in 1973, and was razed in 1975.

Erected 1978 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 7484.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 29° 18.194′ N, 94° 47.071′ W. Marker is in Galveston, Texas, in Galveston County. Marker is at the intersection of Sealy Avenue and 16th Street, on the right when traveling west on Sealy Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1602 Sealy Avenue, Galveston TX 77550, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trube House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Cottage

Photographed By Jim Evans, May 23, 2012

2. Former Site of Heidenheimer's Castle Marker

The house in the picture is not Heidenheimer's Castle. It was built after the castle burned.

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(about 300 feet away); Isaac H. and Henrietta Kempner House (about 500 feet away); Lockhart House (about 500 feet away); Fredrick William Beissner House (about 500 feet away); Julius H. Ruhl Residence (about 500 feet away); John and Eliza Hertford House (about 600 feet away); Thomas Chubb House (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Galveston.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Samson Heidenheimer, Galveston, Texas

West and South (front) sides image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen Stross, 1967

3. West and South (front) sides

Sydnor-Heidenheimer Building
Library of Congress [HABS TEX,84-GALV,39--1]

South (front) side image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen Stross, 1967

4. South (front) side

Sydnor-Heidenheimer Building
Library of Congress [HABS TEX,84-GALV,39--2]

Detail of front stair and entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen Stross, 1967

5. Detail of front stair and entrance

Sydnor-Heidenheimer Building
Library of Congress [HABS TEX,84-GALV,39--3]

Detail of interior window trim image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Allen Stross, 1967

6. Detail of interior window trim

Sydnor-Heidenheimer Building
Library of Congress [HABS TEX,84-GALV,39--4]

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 802 times since then and 45 times this year. Last updated on January 18, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 24, 2012, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 25, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.