Gribble-Hofheinz House
Morgan's Point, Harris County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Constructed in 1896 as the summer home of prominent Houston businessman Risdon D. Gribble (1836-1907) and his wife Adelaide (8141-1926), this house was oriented toward the water to take advantage of bay breezes. Flamboyant Houston businessman and politician Roy M. Hofheinz (1912-1982) bought the house from the Gribbles' descendants in 1950. Judge Hofheinz, developer of the Astrodome and part owner of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, decorated rooms in a circus theme and named it "Huckster House." It remained in his family until 1987.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Built in 1896 as a Houston businessman's summer retreat, this house was deliberately turned toward the water to catch the bay breezes of Morgan's Point. In 1950 the flamboyant Roy Hofheinz — future developer of the Astrodome and part owner of the Ringling Bros. circus — bought it, decorated it in a circus theme, and dubbed it "Huckster House." It stayed in his family until 1987, a bayside landmark tied to two eras of Houston enterprise.
Why it matters
The house links Gilded Age leisure on Galveston Bay to the mid-century showmanship of Roy Hofheinz, whose Astrodome would reshape American sports and spectacle.
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Related people
- · Risdon D. Gribble
- · Roy M. Hofheinz
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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