Baden-Sproule House

May 11th, 2022

This Historic House was designed by the noted Galveston architect Nicholas J. Clayton. It was built in 1899 by Ida B. Baden on land once known as Thomas Bordens farm. West Island landowner John D. Settle sold Miss Baden the land and assisted here in the architectural arrangements. A wealthy property owner, Baden owned considerable stock in the Galveston Wharf Company, which was highly unusual. She died in 1906 at 43, following a sudden illness in her uptown residence, 2407 Avenue E. Her sister of Boston inherited the estate. The house was sold in 1913 to Benno Sproule, the principal in an ocean freight brokerage business. Following Sproules death in 1932, his family continued to occupy the home until 1959. A fine example of the Queen Anne style of architecture, the house features a wraparound veranda with paired turned posts. Bow windows can be seen at the first and second floor levels, and fishscale shingles appear on the second floor. A balconette in the front gable exhibits a Palladian-inspired motif. Outstanding features also include the paneled and pedimented fireplace back and corbelled chimney caps. The home stands as an important element of Galvestons development and architectural history. This House was officially Recorded as a Texas Historic Landmark in 1989.
May 23rd, 2020