Model Laundry
Why it's listed
Model Laundry is a two-story reinforced concrete commercial building at 513-23 25th Street in Galveston, faced in brick and tile. Its square plan, flat roof, shaped corner parapets, flat pilasters, corbeled roofline and decorative colored diamond and square tiles set it apart from most downtown buildings. A later rear addition of yellow brick varies slightly in its window treatment. Maps and tax records place construction in 1913 and 1914, with further improvements in 1915. A 1913 city directory called it the laundry's new fireproof home, and it was then the only steam laundry in Galveston. Wm. A. Johnson, who arrived in 1909 to take over a struggling business dating to 1888, built the structure. He later served two terms as president of the national laundry owners' association. The company was the first laundry in Texas, and among the first industrial employers, to provide life insurance for all its workers. Laundry-related use continued through 1970, and the building now houses a paint and body shop.
Significance in brief: The building represents a type of later commercial architecture not common in Galveston. It is also tied to a laundry business considered progressive for its time, run by Wm. A. Johnson, who was nationally known in the laundry trade. Model Laundry was the first laundry in Texas, and among the first industrial institutions, to provide life insurance for all employees.
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 84001707, listed August 14, 1984. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 513-523 25th St., Galveston |
|---|---|
| County | Galveston County |
| Listed | August 14, 1984 |
| Reference number | 84001707 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | Contractor Eubank & Dibrell; built under Wm. A. Johnson |
| Architectural style | Commercial |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Present use is a paint and body shop; condition described as good. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 29.30308, -94.79613 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
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 84001707.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q110002047
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.