Near Northside in Houston in Harris County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
William L. Shipp House
Built 1901 - Restored 2010
Photographed by Alex Brogan, November 11, 2023
1. William L. Shipp House Marker
Inscription.
William L. Shipp House. Built 1901 - Restored 2010.
-Neighborhood-. This house is a representation of the early Folk Victorian homes built by the residents in this Houston Historic Near North Side neighborhood circa 1900. This north of downtown area was est. in the late 1800's, like many of his neighbors, William L. Shipp was employed by Southern Pacific Lines as a clerk, others worked in and around the rail yard shops.,
-Structure History and Features-. In 1883 this Lot 10 Block 11 was conveyed by Charlotte and Augustus C. Allen to James Converse, their son-in-law and an engineer; he was married to their daughter Eliza. Augustus C. and younger brother John K. Allen were the founders of the City of Houston. On March 10, 1900, James C. sold this lot to William L. Shipp for $600 and on Feb. 4, 1901 he obtained a mortgage from Bayou City Bldg. and Loan Association for $1200 to build this house. The L-shape plan is a telling feature of a Folk Victorian home; the front gable roof is a decorative arched spindle wooden trim with medallions. The porch features a series of full-size turned balusters columns that provide a frame view of the two full length windows that penetrate the front faηade under the porch. At the top of the front porch skirting is an unusual and unique pierced wave of "Dragon" shaped trim, thus considering the house an architectural gem.,
-Ownership History and Recognition-. Around 1910 William L. Shipp sold the house to Dave and Laura Key, then in 1936 he passed away. In 1945 the Key family sold the house to Antonia Flores, she then transferred it to Margaret Flores in 1972. On May 31, 2000 the Flores family sold the house to Ruben Obregon Banda; after living in it for several years and uncovering the original porch trim wood work one afternoon, and confirming that it was all original and still in tact, he and his brother, Saul Obregon Banda, an engineer, began the restoration process along with the guidance and integrity of their father, a true craftsman by trade. Soon after the complete restoration in 2010 and nearly 110 years from the year it was built, the William L. Shipp house now has its original faηade, hence this house is the first in this area to achieve a Protected Landmark Designation plaque by the City of Houston.
-Neighborhood-
This house is a representation of the early Folk Victorian homes built by the residents in this Houston Historic Near North Side neighborhood circa 1900. This north of downtown area was est. in the late 1800's, like many of his neighbors, William L. Shipp was employed by Southern Pacific Lines as a clerk, others worked in and around the rail yard shops.
-Structure History & Features-
In 1883 this Lot 10 Block 11 was conveyed by Charlotte & Augustus C. Allen to James Converse, their son-in-law & an engineer; he was married to their daughter Eliza. Augustus C. and younger brother John K. Allen were the founders of the City of Houston. On March 10, 1900, James C. sold this lot to William L. Shipp for $600 and on Feb. 4, 1901 he obtained a mortgage from Bayou City Bldg. & Loan Association for $1200 to build this house. The L-shape plan is a telling feature of a Folk Victorian home; the front gable roof is a decorative arched spindle wooden trim with medallions. The porch features a series of full-size turned balusters columns that provide a frame view of the two full length windows that penetrate the front
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faηade under the porch. At the top of the front porch skirting is an unusual & unique pierced wave of "Dragon" shaped trim, thus considering the house an architectural gem.
-Ownership History & Recognition-
Around 1910 William L. Shipp sold the house to Dave and Laura Key, then in 1936 he passed away. In 1945 the Key family sold the house to Antonia Flores, she then transferred it to Margaret Flores in 1972. On May 31, 2000 the Flores family sold the house to Ruben Obregon Banda; after living in it for several years and uncovering the original porch trim wood work one afternoon, and confirming that it was all original & still in tact, he and his brother, Saul Obregon Banda, an engineer, began the restoration process along with the guidance and integrity of their father, a true craftsman by trade. Soon after the complete restoration in 2010 and nearly 110 years from the year it was built, the William L. Shipp house now has its original faηade, hence this house is the first in this area to achieve a Protected Landmark Designation plaque by the City of Houston.
Location. 29° 46.41′ N, 95° 21.518′ W. Marker is in Houston, Texas, in Harris County. It is in Near Northside. It is on Everett Street south of Brooks Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1511 Everett, Houston TX 77009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2025, by Alex Brogan of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 201 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 15, 2025, by Alex Brogan of Houston, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
