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.
Former Site of Heidenheimer's Castle. . 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.
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.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Samson Heidenheimer, Galveston, Texas
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.
Photographed By Allen Stross, 1967
3. West and South (front) sides
Sydnor-Heidenheimer Building Library of Congress [HABS TEX,84-GALV,39--1]
Photographed By Allen Stross, 1967
4. South (front) side
Sydnor-Heidenheimer Building Library of Congress [HABS TEX,84-GALV,39--2]
Photographed By Allen Stross, 1967
5. Detail of front stair and entrance
Sydnor-Heidenheimer Building Library of Congress [HABS TEX,84-GALV,39--3]
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 1,021 times since then and 44 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.