Williams Borden Neighborhood Assoc

WBNA Historic Homes On-Line Database:
The Williams-Borden Neighborhood lies in the heart of Galveston Island, between Avenues M & S, from 35th to 39th Streets. Our mission is to encourage preservation, revitalization, and neighborhood livability efforts within our boundaries, the surrounding community, and Galveston Island. WBNA serves not only as a community organization but also as an advocate for residents, property owners, and business.

The goal of the WBNA HOMES DATABASE project is to document the current status of homes in the WB Neighborhood. ALL homes, regardless of age, are welcome to enter their information into the database. We hope this catalog of homes will provide useful information as we look back on the past, as well as plan for the future.

NOTE: Former WBNA resident, Nancy Budde, put together a very comprehensive look at our historic neighborhood. She highlighted a number of homes, businesses and so much more. The WBNA Historic Homes Database is an extension of her work.

Instructions: Click on the RED link below. Complete the on-line form and upload a photo of your home.

CLICK HERE to submit information on your home.

Looking for historic information on your property? Check out the Rosenberg Library's HISTORY CENTER.

Homes of the Willams-Borden Neighborhood

Address: 3815 Avenue P

Year Built: 1928

Original Owner: William and Marie Helmbrecht

Brief History:
The William and Marie Helmbrecht home has a well documented history. The Helmbrechts commissioned the nationally recognized architect, John Staub, to design their home and outbuildings. In the style of a French manor house, it is one of the smallest homes Staub designed.Typical of Staub designs, the Helmbrecht home is quite symmetrical and perfectly plain. At the direction of Marie, Staub used marble tiles removed from the second Tremont Hotel in the foyer and dining room. The home and property are currently land marked by the city of Galveston.

Address: 2012 36th St.

Year Built: 1901

Original Owner: Edmond Fish

Brief History:
The home was built in 1901 - shortly after the1900 hurricane. It is what's frequently referred to as a Commissary House or Shotgun. There are several of these style homes still standing across the island. They were specifically built for workers helping to rebuild the Island after the Great Storm. It has approximately 680 sq'. of living space. Indoor plumbing was added sometime in the early 1900's. There is also the remnants of an old chimney in the kitchen, used for a wood burning stove.The earliest known owner was the Fish family. Last purchased in 2008.

Address: 3528 Avenue M

Year Built: 1874

Original Owner: Amos & Kate Tuller

Typical of Staub designs, the Helmbrecht home is quite symmetrical and perfectly plain. At the direction of Marie, Staub used marble tiles removed from the second Tremont Hotel in the foyer and dining room .

The home and property are currently land marked by the city of Galveston.