1 impressive Galveston mansion not on Broadway is the Pauls Chuoke Home. Interested in Galveston historic homes and Galveston history? Take time to explore the streets OFF the main throughfare. There are a number of remarkable homes with marvelous histories.
The enchanting Queen Anne at 1804 35th Street is known as the Pauls Chuoke House after two familities who lived there for decades. The first resident of the home was Felix Emile who built the house with his wife Eva Wilson and moved into it in 1899.
Mistrot and many of his brothers followed their father who immigrated from France to Louisiana to open his own mercantile.
In 1880, Feliz worked as a clerk in his brother, Charles’ store in Johnson County, Texas. At that time, he met young Eva Wilson and they were married 3 years later.
The young couple moved to Waco and Felix went to work briefly as a traveling salesman for Sanger Brothers. They later moved to Bryan, TX where Felix opened his own a larger store in 1886. He thrived as a business owner and gained a patent for “knock-down” glass and metal showcases in his store. Showcases could be moved around the floor and had adjustable shelves.
In 1896, Felix, Eva, and their four young children relocated to Galveston. Felix partnered with two other brothers, Simeon Pierre and Gustave Antoine , in operating Mistrot Bros. & Co. Mistrot Bros. & Co. sold dry goods, notions, clothing, furnishing goods, boots, shoes, hats, and other items. The store was located at 2310-2328 Mechanic St. The building is now home to the Tremont House.
The family did well and soon saw financial success and elevated social standing and was able to build a home that properly reflected their prosperity and position in the community.
The slate and metal-roofed house reflected the couple’s exquisite French Art Nouveau style. The impressive exterior featured five porches, including two wrap-around porches on the first and second floors with walk-through windows that allowed access and also invited breezes to cool the house. A porte cochere on the left side of the home allowed a covered entrance for vehicles and carriages.
Guests walking through the gates to the home past the gracious grounds, were greeted by an impressive entryway leading to a spacious reception hall. The grand staircase featured a bronze statue upon the newell post, and a Juliet balcony landing. The balcony landing provided a pictureque opportunity for grand entrances by the ladies of the house.
The house was designed with 10 rooms and 2 baths. The house showcases large living areas. hardwood floors, five fireplaces, 13 closets, 2 pantries, a floored attic, and gas and electricity.
Insurance papers for the house were dated December 2, 1899, just 9 months before the 1900 Storm. Though the home survived the historic 1900 Storm. it did need substantial repairs that required 30 days or so to complete, in addition to having the home raised during the island grade raising. During home repairs, Eva and the children stayed with her parents in Bryan while Felix tend to the restoration of the home and his business.
During the restoration of the home according to insurance documents and photographs of the home, Felix took advantage of the opportunity to add a rounded corner feature to the upper and lower porches, masonry arches to the ground floor, and “gasoline powered machines” to one of the outbuildings.
The Mistrot family enjoyed their updated home until they moved from the island to Peter George Pauls in 1906.
Pauls, who immigrated from Germany at the age of 15, moved from his house at 1717 Postoffice into the larger home bringing his wife, Caroline, “Carrie” W. Cortes, their 5 children and a Scotch collie named Taffy. Pauls wife, Carrie was the daughter of German immigrants as well, so it is likely that German was spoken in the home, as it was in numerous Galveston homes of that era.
Pauls was a cotton buyer who officed in the magnificent Cotton Exchange building. Social events hosted by the Pauls in their new home, no doubt included many business acquiant and provided opportunities for their children to meet members of other successful families in the community. All five of the Pauls children were married while the Pauls lived in the house on 35th Street.
Carrie, the matriarch of the Paul’s family passed away in 1931. Her husband Peter died a dozen years later in 1943. Both of their funeral visitations were held at their home. Pauls son, Waldo, his wife, and their son lived with his dad Peter in the house on 35th Street at the time of his death.
Waldo then moved his family to Houston and rented the house on 35th Street. During World War II, numerous servicemen and their families looked for housing on the island.
One such couple was Lettie Faye Clawson and Sargeant Lavern Gilbert Leverington, Sr. After their weddingson in February 1945 at the Galveston Army Airfield chapel they moved in the home. Sargeant Leverington then returned to his assignment at the radio operator’s school. The couple likely shared the house with other renters.
The next chapter in the home’s history involved a family equallly active in the community, Robert “Bob C. Chuoke, his wife, Mary Lee Ranieri. and their teenage son who purchased the home in 1946.
Chuoke began his successful plumbing business in 1924. When they moved into the house, he began serving his first 10 years as Galveston Water and Sewage Commissioner in 1955-1961.
By the end of his first term as commissioner he was able to build a new building for Chuoke Plumbing at 40th and Broadway, now home to Bayside Chic.
Chuoke also served as president of the influential Sunday Morning Coffee Club. The club inckuded a cross section of prominent island businessmen who gathered regularly to discuss problems of Galveston and propose solutions. Many of these members were in a position to take action on these issues.
Chuoke’s accomplishments included the establishment of a pension plan for City of Galveston employees.
After Chuoke’s passing, his wife Mary sold the grand home. Although the following owners made some changes to the home over the years, including decreasing the fireplaces and increasing the number of rooms the residence retains chandeliers, sconces, fireplaces, art work, and pieces of furniture that are origin to the home.
Today this lovely home is a reminder not only of Galveston’s diverse architecture but how and the people that lived there set the course to a formative era in island history.
OTHER INTERESTING PLACES TO VISIT IN GALVESTON
If you found 1 impressive Galveston mansion not on Broadway to be interesting and informative, please see my blog, 3 notable Galveston landmarks on Broadway at 3 notable galveston landmarks on broadway (mygalvestonrealtor.com) and another of my blogs about the historic Ashton Villa Home at, Historic Ashton Villa Home Galveston (mygalvestonrealtor.com).
Read about other historic homes of Galveston at Historic homes of Galveston: 4 of the island’s most iconic abodes (click2houston.com) and historic homes at Galveston Monthly – Exploring Your Island Paradise.
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