Menard, Michel B., House
Also known as: Oaks,The
Why it's listed
Set on a large, shaded lot at 1605 33rd Street in Galveston, this frame house is a two-story Greek Revival residence with a central pavilion of four full-height Roman Ionic wooden columns and matching one- and two-story wings. Research in 1967 indicates it was probably built in 1838-39 by Augustus Allen, a founder of Houston. It is linked to Michel Brindamour Menard, born near Montreal in 1805, who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence and helped organize the Galveston City Company, which led to his recognition as Galveston's founder. Menard probably made substantial changes after his wife purchased the property in 1843, and the Ketchum family acquired it in 1885. The house is one of very few pre-Civil War residences remaining in Galveston, and its Ionic columns on both the main facade and the wings are unique among early surviving houses in the city. Its large yard contrasts with the long, narrow lots typical of Galveston.
Significance in brief: The house is associated with Michel Brindamour Menard, considered the founder of Galveston and a leader in early Texas. Architecturally it is an outstanding example of Greek Revival style and one of Galveston's earliest surviving structures. Its two-story Ionic columns on the main facade and the wings are unique among early extant houses in the city.
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 76002031, listed December 12, 1976. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 1605 33rd St., Galveston |
|---|---|
| County | Galveston County |
| Listed | December 12, 1976 |
| Reference number | 76002031 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1838-1839 |
| Architect / builder | Augustus Allen (probable builder) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Exploration/Settlement, Politics/Government, Architecture, Social History |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied as a private residence; condition listed as altered (minor) and on its original site. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 29.29109, -94.80179 (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 76002031.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q20714525
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.