DUANE
Duane's take
Here's the story as the official marker tells it, and I'll do my best to do it justice. Now, if you've spent any time wandering the streets of Galveston, you know this island has a way of holding onto things — its history, its homes, its characters. And George Seeligson was exactly that kind of character.
Born right here in Galveston in 1841, he made his name as a prominent local merchant, the kind of man this city seemed to produce by the dozen in its gilded years. In 1872, he married Maria Davenport, who came into this world in 1847 and, as it turned out, would stay in it all the way until 1928 — outlasting her husband by sixteen years. Now there's a woman who saw some history.
George built this house in 1875, right here in this block — though not quite on this spot, and that detail matters, so hold onto it. The house blends Greek revival and Victorian styling, the way so many of Galveston's finest homes do, like the island couldn't quite make up its mind between old-world dignity and new-world ambition, so it just went ahead and chose both. Then comes 1887, and the Seeligsons decided they wanted something grander.
They erected a larger residence, and rather than tear down what George had built, they moved the whole house — moved it — to this site right here. That's not a small thing, friend. That is confidence in a structure.
The house passed eventually to their daughter Lillian, born in 1875, who became Mrs. John Winterbotham and lived here until 1953. Then in 1954, Mr. and Mrs.
James E. Johnson purchased it and carried the story forward. George himself left this world in 1912, but this house he raised in 1875 is still standing right where the Seeligsons put it — and Galveston, as ever, isn't letting go.
What the marker says
Galveston-born George Seeligson (1841-1912) was a prominent local merchant. In 1872 he married Maria Davenport (1847-1928). He built this 1875 house on another lot in this block. Like many fine Galveston homes, it combines Greek revival and Victorian styling. It was moved to this site with the Seeligsons erected a larger residence in 1887. Later occupied by their daughter Lillian (Mrs. John) Winterbotham (1875-1953), it was purchased in 1954 by Mr. and Mrs. James E. Johnson. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1976