Location: East End Historic District, Galveston, Gulf Coast, Texas, USA (On Seawall at 18th Street, close to Historical District) View Map
Accommodations: House, 7 Bedrooms + Loft, 7 Baths (Sleeps 16)
Keywords: House Compound
Seawall house is located on Galveston’s Seawall at 18th Street, between The Galvez Hotel and the Holiday Inn Express and is closer to the gulf and beach than either hotel.
On the first floor, a large veranda and covered porch overlook the ocean and provide a great place to eat, have a cocktail or to just sit and watch the gulf or the parade of people.
On the second floor the two south bedrooms front on a large porch equipped with swing hammock, chaise and chairs. On clear nights, ships shimmer like stars lighting the horizon as they make their way to Houston or from it to all corners of the world.
A deck accessed by the third floor loft looks out on the gulf and the city is great for sunbathing.
Seawall house has four bedrooms on the second floor and one bedroom on the first floor. The third floor loft has two bunks, but it is accessed by any steep stair more like a ladder.
The house is equipped with dominoes, cards, poker chips, board games, a ping-pong table and a small library of books. Reluctantly we do provide cable, a CD player and TV. However it is hoped that the beach is well enjoyed rather than catching up on the latest television shows. A high-speed Internet connection is provided on the first floor.
The back patio is also a great place to have lunch. There the level of activity lessens. Lay in the hammock under the logia and be enveloped in the tropical foliage.
Two one bedroom apartments sit on the north of the patio and both have modest views of the gulf.
The house was built in 1914 by Frederick Langbin, one of the original investor’s in the Galvez hotel who intended the home as a residence for his sister and her daughter. It was constructed of poured reinforced concrete and was the first house so constructed in Texas. The style is similar to that of some Frank Loyd Wright structures. Unfortunately Galveston was not to the taste of Mr. Langbin’s sister who returned to England with her daughter after a stay of only a few years.
The home incorporated such anti-hurricane features as small lights (panes) in the multi-light windows which were much stronger and a Spanish tile roof, now gone. The home went through the 1915 hurricane with nary a scratch.
The house is furnished with an eclectic mix of fine antiques, carpets which accent the cypress, oak, and long leaf pine wood work in the house along with comfortable resort style furniture. There are many nooks to enjoy.
Your may lease the entire estate consisting of the Big House, and two courtyard apartments may be leased -- 7 bedrooms plus the sleeping loft, 3 gulf-view porches, the court yard or you may chose just one of the properties.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Washer
- Dryer
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- Lanai
- View/Location
- Beachfront
- Oceanfront
- Communications
- Telephone
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Furnished with an eclectic mix of antiques, this historical home is the only private home remaining on Galveston's Seawall directly across Galveston's Seawall Boulevard from the beach. Wonderful outdoor spaces, walled tropical garden, terrace, second floor balcony, and third floor deck complement the interior. The property consists of the main house and two one bedroom courtyard apartments that also have attractive beach views. The house is in town and thus close to shopping, historical sites, the Opera House, Art Center and Museums.
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sailing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Surfing
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Fishing
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Shelling
- Hiking
- Restaurants
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Horseback Riding, Coastal Birding Trail, Moody Gardens and it's attractions, Rainforest Pyramid, IMAX 3D Theater, Palm Beach, Discovery Museum, Ridefilm Theater and the Aquarium Pyramid, Schlitterbahn Water Park, Shopping, and Sightseeing - Historical Homes, The Strand Historical District, Duck Tours and water tours on Galveston Bay.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Main House Only/week - $3000* peak season, $2200* low season
Main House 5 bedrooms/5 baths - sleeps 12
Entire Property/week - $3800* peak season, $2900* low season
Entire property (House plus 2 one-bedroom/bath courtyard apartments) sleeps 16
*Note: Rates do not include 15% hotel tax.
See our website.
Call for Holiday rates.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 1982
Why the Owner Chose East End Historic District
We love the house and we love the city and the beach. We want others to experience this exciting and interesting city and enjoy this wonderful house that offers the best of both. We will work to make sure that your stay is fun and trouble free. Please let us know any way we can help.
The Unique Benefits at this House
Seawall House is located on Galveston’s Seawall at 18th Street, between The Galvez Hotel and the Holiday Inn Express and is closer to the Gulf of Mexico and beach than either hotel.
On the first floor, a large veranda and covered porch overlook the ocean and provide a great place to eat, have a cocktail or to just sit and watch the waves or the parade of people.
On the second floor, the two south bedrooms front on a large porch equipped with swing, hammock, chaise and chairs. On a clear nights one sees, on the horizon, ships shimmering like stars as they make their way to Houston, or from it, to all corners of the world.
A deck accessed by the third floor loft looks out on the and the city and is great for sunbathing.
Seawall House has four bedrooms on the second floor and one bedroom on the first floor. The third floor loft has two bunks, but it is accessed by a very steep stair, more like a ladder, and should be used only by the physically fit and sober.
The back patio is also a great place to have lunch. Here, the level of activity lessens; lie in the hammock under the loggia surrounded by tropical foliage -- oleander, ginger, palms and flowering plants -- be enveloped in the usually gentle breeze and enjoy the quiet serenity.
Two, one bedroom courtyard apartments sit on the north side of the patio and both have views of the Gulf. (These may be leased with the main house or separately: see below.)
The main house is equipped with dominions, cards, poker chips, board games a ping-pong table and a small library of books. There, reluctantly, we provide cable, a DVD player and TV, but it is hoped that guests will take advantage of the unique opportunities offered by the house to get back in touch with each other, have a good read or enjoy the sea and sky and will postpone any addictions to electronics until their return to the real work-a-day world. However for digitally addicted, a high-speed Internet connection is provided.
Owner's Map of East End Historic District
The house was built in 1914 by Frederick Langbin, one of the original investors, in the Galvez Hotel. He had intended the home as a residence for his sister and her daughter. It was built of poured, reinforced concrete and was the first house so constructed in Texas. The style is similar to that of some Frank Loyd Wright structures. Unfortunately Galveston was not to the taste of Mr. Langbin’s sister who returned to England with her daughter after a short stay. The property became home to the Nedwing family. After WWII it suffered through many owners until purchased by Kenneth Shelton and his brother in the 1970’s. Kenneth purchased his brother’s interest years later, and, with his family, lived in the house, which he continues to own, until 1994.
Mr. Langbin incorporated many anti-hurricane features into the home. Small lights (panes) in the multi-light windows were much stronger than normal windows and a Spanish tile roof, now gone, provided additional heft to the structure. The home went thought the 1915 hurricane with nary a scratch.
Along with comfortable resort style furniture, the house is furnished with an eclectic mix of fine antiques, oriental carpets and art which accent the home’s cypress, oak, and longleaf pine woodwork, most of which was milled especially for the house. There are many unique areas from which to enjoy the Gulf, and they can be seen from almost every room.
You may lease the entire property consisting of the Seawall House and two one bedroom, courtyard apartments for a total of 7 bedrooms, not including the sleeping loft, and 7 baths. The house boasts 3 – Gulf view porches and marble paved court yard. Or, you may lease only the main house or one or both apartments. (We reserve the right to require the lease of the entire property certain times of year.)
Property Photos
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- - Galveston Vacation Rental
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- Seawall House is located on Galveston’s Seawall at 18th Street - Galveston Vacation Rental
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- Along with comfortable resort style furniture - Galveston Vacation Rental
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- Veranda
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- Dining Room
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- Master Bedroom
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- Second Floor Porch
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- Middle Bedroom
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- Third Floor Bunk
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- Logia
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- Middle Bedroom
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- Game Room with ping pong table
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- Front Patio
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- Front Patio facing beach
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- Logia
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- Living Room
Traveler Reviews (23)
An Awsome Time
Guest: Barbara
(-)
Date of Stay: 12/17/11
Review Submitted: 12/20/11
Hi Ken. We had an awesome time celebrating our family Christmas at your house. The house was perfect for us... the layout of the house was great, the location was excellent, and it was so spacious with a well equipped kitchen and gameroom. We were able to enjoy the beach during the day - the sunrise over the water, looking for shells, flying kites, visiting shops along the Seawall, and awesome views from the balconies. The evening was filled with a visit from Santa, a gift exchange game, an ugly sweater contest, and a spaghetti dinner. We could not have been happier with our stay and look forward to renting this amazing house again. In addition, we would like to thank you for your kindness. It was a pleasure renting from you. Thanks so much! Barbara PS: Everyone was interested in hearing a little history on the house and the artwork. It really is beautiful
Recommended for:
Return Visit
Guest: Stephanie
(-)
Date of Stay: 11/05/11
Review Submitted: 11/28/11
Mr. Shelton, I do have to say that I really enjoyed my stay at the house, and I am wanting to see about getting the house in Jan, from the 13-15 it is my 40th bday and I am choosing to be at your house for this bday. I have gloated about the house to many and I am very honored to spend the weekend at the house with my kids and my family for my bday. Can you please send me a quote for the weekend for the entire compound for this weekend.
Recommended for:
Family Vacation
Guest: Gina
(Houston)
Date of Stay: 08/11/11
Review Submitted: 09/12/11
We take our extended family on a vacation every summer using VRBO. This year we needed to stay closer to home and we came across this wonderful house on the Seawall. Let me first say that Ken was wonderful to work with. We have never had an owner who was so involved and cared so much about his guests. The interior pictures were entirely accurate and the home was clean and stocked when we arrived. We are a very large family with lots of kids and they loved the house. They turned the third floor into their personal bunk house. Every evening they would sit on the wall and watch the activity. Of course, the proximity to the beach is perfect. We didn't have to pack alot to take with us, we just walked across the street to have lunch, etc. Even with our record heat this year it was always pleasant sitting out on the huge porch and watching the ocean. The historic value of the house is amazing and if you are fortunate enough to stay here be sure to read some of the literature Ken has made available.You will also want to read the wonderful book that he published using his mothers drawings. It is a great house with plenty of room for everyone. Our entire family voted a resounding "yes" to coming back again!
Recommended for:Tourists without a car, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Great Rental
Guest: Jackie
(-)
Date of Stay: 03/24/10
Review Submitted: 08/29/11
We all really enjoyed our stay at your rental property. The house is very well kept and neat. We all had enough space in the house. The kids enjoyed the hammocks and the loft for the teens. This is a place we would like to rent again in the future. Perfect location.
Recommended for:
Historic Home
Guest: Liz
(-)
Date of Stay: 03/13/09
Review Submitted: 08/29/11
I AM SOOOOO SORRY I HAVE BEEN SO REMISS IN DOING THIS!!! I REALLY DO WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW HOW BEAUTIFUL IT IS AND WHAT A GREAT TIME WE HAD!!!!
Recommended for:
First (10) of (23). View all Reviews | Write a Review
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #135949
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