Lasker Home for Homeless Children
Also known as: McLemore House
Why it's listed
Built most likely in 1869-70, this large frame house at 1019 16th Street in Galveston is a postwar example of Greek Revival design. It has a three-bay front, double galleries with octagonal cypress columns, a side hall, and a low hipped roof. Its first owners included Judge John L. Darragh and attorney Marcus C. McLemore. After the 1900 hurricane destroyed its earlier building and killed many children, a society for homeless children bought the house in 1901 to continue its work. In 1912, a $10,000 gift from Galveston businessman Morris Lasker paid for raising the building, enlarging the basement, and adding an L-shaped wing. The home took his name in appreciation. It accepted children regardless of race, color, or religion, and it has served the community in the same structure for more than eighty years. Lasker's own residence was demolished in 1967, which leaves this building as the surviving link to his philanthropy in the city.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is an important example of urban Greek Revival architecture, comparable to the antebellum Ball and Grover houses in Galveston. It has also served as a non-sectarian refuge for children since 1901. It is the only surviving link to philanthropist Morris Lasker in Galveston and retains its historic character to an unusual degree.
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 83003140, listed April 14, 1983. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1019 16th St., Galveston |
|---|---|
| County | Galveston County |
| Listed | April 14, 1983 |
| Reference number | 83003140 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1800-1899 (specific dates 1869-70, 1901, and 1912); the form also checks 1900- |
| Architect / builder | Unknown |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still functions as a children's home; the form lists it as occupied, in good condition, with renovations under way at the time. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Lost Bayou Historic District |
| Coordinates | 29.30081, -94.78384 (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.
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 83003140.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q110001125
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.