Marker Inscription
In 1857 John S. Sydnor (1812-1869), former Galveston mayor, built the original two-story, eight-room structure at this site. Samson Heidenheimer (1834-1891) bought it in 1884. The German-born Heidenheimer began with a $100 loan and built a fortune as a Confederate blockade runner. He was associated with Sydnor and his son Seabrook in an auction business. Heidenheimer enlarged the house to four stories and 37 room and added castle-like tower and turrets. It changed owners many times after his death; burned in 1973, and was razed in 1975.
About this site
Heidenheimer's Castle is a historical marker in Galveston, Galveston County, dedicated in 1978. It is one of 283 historical markers documented in Galveston County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 373 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 29.3032, -94.7845 near Galveston. The nearest cataloged historic site is Trube House (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Cottage, The, Kempner, Isaac H. and Henrietta, House, and Lockhart House.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5167007484. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
