Isaac H. and Henrietta Kempner House
Galveston, Galveston County, Texas
Marker Inscription
At the time of his death in 1894 Polish immigrant Harris Kempner, age 57, was a leading Galveston businessman with interests in banking, insurance, railroads, and cotton. Isaac Herbert Kempner, age 21 and the eldest of Harris Kempner's eight children, took over his father's many businesses. In 1902 Isaac married Henrietta Blum, daughter of a prominent Galveston businessman. Isaac Kempner became an important businessman in his own right and after the devastating storm of 1900 demonstrated exceptional civic leadership in his efforts to rebuild Galveston's entire infrastructure. From 1917 to 1919 he served as Galveston city mayor. In 1904 the Kempners purchased three lots here on Broadway, Galveston's most fashionable boulevard. This imposing two-story neoclassical style house was designed by local architect Charles W. Bulger and completed in 1906. The house features colossal Corinthian columns and extensive use of art glass in its windows and large single entry door with transom and sidelights. In 1924 additional lots became available on the west side and a two-story concrete and stucco wing designed by noted Houston architect John F. Staub was added. The house remained in the Kempner family until 1970. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1995
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Harris Kempner arrived as a Polish immigrant and died in 1894 a Galveston powerhouse in banking, insurance, railroads, and cotton, leaving his empire to his 21-year-old son Isaac. After the catastrophic 1900 hurricane, Isaac Kempner threw himself into rebuilding the shattered island city's infrastructure and served as mayor from 1917 to 1919. On fashionable Broadway the family raised this columned 1906 neoclassical mansion, its art-glass windows and Corinthian grandeur later expanded by noted architect John F. Staub.
Why it matters
The Kempner house embodies the immigrant-to-magnate arc of Gilded Age America and the extraordinary civic will that rebuilt Galveston after the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
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Related people
- · Isaac Herbert Kempner
- · Henrietta Blum Kempner
- · Harris Kempner
- · Charles W. Bulger
- · John F. Staub
Related events
- · Galveston Hurricane of 1900
Themes & tags
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