A cherished piece of Galveston history avoided demolition this week as a 1940s fishing camp house was floated across Offatts Bayou. The house is set for restoration and resale through a local preservation initiative.
This week, a two-story fishing camp house from the 1940s in Galveston has been revitalized, now resting gracefully on the water. The historic home, built near the I-45 causeway by William Marshall, a Rice University graduate and local contractor, embarked on a remarkable journey as it was transported by barge across Offatts Bayou, overcoming the challenges that made land transport impractical.
The house, known for its mid-century Gulf Coast fishing camp design, had gradually slipped into disuse as the burden of rising taxes and insurance took their toll over the years. Yet, the allure of its nostalgic charm and rich history captivated the Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF), prompting them to preserve the entire structure via their salvage department and revolving fund program.
Marilyn Marshall Jones, the granddaughter of Marshall and a dedicated director at Houston’s Inprint literary nonprofit, reminisced about her childhood in the house—fishing, crabbing, and observing the graceful water birds as they glided across the bayou. “It filled me with a deep sorrow to imagine it being crushed and discarded in a landfill,” she expressed. “They approached and examined it, then remarked, ‘Well, in fact, we’re interested in the entire house.’”
On a bright Wednesday morning, a throng of onlookers assembled to witness the meticulously planned transition. A semi-cab gently pushed the house onto a barge, trailing closely behind the recently added bedroom addition. A journey awaits as the home embarks on a new chapter, moving a few miles west to a lot off 91st Street. Here, GHF will elevate it by ten feet, breathe new life into its structure, and prepare it for a new owner to cherish.
Laura Bourgeois from the GHF salvage department shared that the proceeds from the eventual sale will replenish the foundation’s revolving fund, thereby supporting future preservation projects. This year’s annual Historic Homes Tour will showcase the house as a highlighted “work in progress.”
Once a serene sanctuary for a single family, the fishing camp now stands as a testament to Galveston's vibrant architectural history—a symbol that even homes can embrace new beginnings.
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