Beissner, Henry, House
Why it's listed
Built in 1890-1891 at 2818 Ball Avenue in Galveston, this frame house was the office and home of Henry Beissner, a German-born cypress lumber dealer who had earlier worked as a grocer. It is a raised cottage set ten feet up on brick piers faced with scored plaster to resemble dressed stone, with a second story tucked into a multi-gabled roof. Its irregular massing, turned posts, spindle frieze, fish-scale shingles and patterned siding blend Eastlake, Queen Anne and Stick influences, and most of the original cypress siding and trim survives. Inside, a central hall is flanked by double parlors with high ceilings, plaster moldings and pocket doors. After Beissner, the house served as a synagogue from 1914 to 1923 and later as rental property. Locally called "Noah's Ark" for its reported use as a refuge in the 1900 storm, it was recognized as an outstanding example of wood craftsmanship in a neighborhood of medium to large homes.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the house shows the high level of wood carving and carpentry reached in Galveston in the late 19th century. It draws freely on Eastlake, Queen Anne and Stick styles and handles materials superbly for a medium-sized dwelling. It is also a representative example of fine residences in an area of Galveston that has received little recognition.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 78002929, listed April 3, 1978. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 2818 Ball Ave., Galveston |
|---|---|
| County | Galveston County |
| Listed | April 3, 1978 |
| Reference number | 78002929 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Stick and Eastlake influences; raised cottage |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Marked unoccupied in the form; it was sold to new private owners who plan extensive restoration. Known locally as "Noah's Ark", and its original cypress siding and trim are almost completely intact. |
| Acreage | 0.3 |
| Coordinates | 29.30052, -94.79907 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary for a privately owned home: it does not by itself restrict what an owner may do with their own money, and it does not require public access. Restrictions come from local landmark or historic-district ordinances, which are separate (how they differ).
Owner-occupied houses are not eligible for the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit, which applies to income-producing buildings, but many states offer credits for homeowners. Listing also opens the door to preservation easements and to buying a plaque. Start with what listing means for homeowners, renovating a listed house and selling one.
Noted as vacant in the nomination. Nomination documents can be decades old; current status may differ. If you are considering buying an empty listed property, read the due-diligence checklist.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 78002929.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q110000987
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.