The 1875 Julius and Elizabeth Ruhl House

Location: East End Historic District, Galveston, Texas 77550

Chuck Morris Coastal Homes prides itself on a strong sense of creativity and extensive research to meet the client’s wishes. By consulting with recognized historic experts and craftsmen, we provide a unique product with the highest quality materials, fitted to the project’s style and goals.

Due to numerous hurricanes the Widow’s Walk was gone when the house was purchased.  After the Galveston Historical Foundation found a 1890’s photo taken of Ruhl House from an attic window in Bishop’s Palace, we decided to rebuild the Widow’s Walk to its original two story design, rare in American architecture.  This entailed opening the roof, hoisting 12 twenty four ft. long 6X6’s up to the roof, uprighting them to drop into the house, through the attic, where they rest and are secured to the second floor ceiling joists.  In May 2014 Ruhl House is serving as the lead house in the Galveston Historical Foundations 40th Historic Homes Tour.  CLICK HERE for more information about the event.

Features:

• Unique 2 story Widow’s Walk with decorative brackets, balusters, flowers and dentil. Built according to a 1890’s photograph taken from Bishop’s Palace.
• Designed by noted Chicago architect Thomas J. Overmire in 1874
• New wiring, plumbing fixtures and pipes, AC and ducts, restored plaster walls, ceilings medallions and crown mouldings. New standing seam metal roof and 20 new pilings.
• Original restored 1875 Cast Iron Fence by Champlin Iron Fence, Kinton, Ohio.
• Restored three story walnut staircase.
• Extensive antique and vintage lighting collection including 4 Baccarat chandeliers.
• Master bedroom, bath and closet suite consists of three previous bedrooms and includes cast iron fireplace, a pair of matching 1880’s chandeliers, original medallions, heart pine floors, arched pocket doors, stained glass windows, original plaster mouldings.
• Restored warming kitchen/butler’s pantry with 12′ mahogany aged cabinets, underlit onyx countertops and backsplash, beverage refrigerator, wine refrigerator, warming drawer, ice maker and glass sink.
• Kitchen with copper sink and ceiling, Bertizzoni range, stone corbels from Charleston, SC, unique faux painted cabinets with antique English stained glass, antique chandeliers from New Orleans, heart pine floors and island countertop.
• Large double front and side porches that serve as outdoor rooms, built to catch prevailing sea breezes with Italianate bracketing and Victorian detail.