Julius H. Ruhl Residence, Galveston

The Julius H. Ruhl Residence, built between 1874 and 1875, is a beautifully preserved example of Italianate architecture nestled in Galveston鈥檚 East End Historic District. Julius H. Ruhl, a Prussian native who arrived in Galveston in 1872, commissioned the home during his tenure as a cashier and clerk for the prominent mercantile firm Kauffman & Runge. Though Ruhl passed away in 1882, the home remained in his family for nearly a century, until 1962. Its enduring legacy is marked by elegant design features and historical charm that have withstood the test of time.

The residence showcases classic Italianate design elements, such as the bracketed cornice running along the roofline and a central triangular pediment that accentuates its symmetry. A standout feature is the grand two-story porch, supported by delicately detailed classical wooden colonettes. Above, a second-story balcony with finely patterned balusters wraps around the facade, offering a picturesque space to enjoy Galveston's coastal breezes. The front entry, centered between large shuttered windows, is topped by a transom window that allows sunlight to filter into the home鈥檚 foyer.

Crowned by a gabled roof and accented with a charming turret at one end, the Julius H. Ruhl House captures the refined elegance of 19th-century Galveston living. The turret itself features a small balcony, likely used for quiet retreat or observing the lively neighborhood below. The home's weathered shingles and seasonal holiday decor鈥攚reaths and garlands adorning the porch鈥攁dd to its timeless character.

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Sight Name: Julius H. Ruhl Residence
Sight Location: Galveston, USA (See walking tours in Galveston)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Historic Houses Walking Tour

Walking Tours in Galveston, Texas

Create Your Own Walk in Galveston

Creating your own self-guided walk in Galveston is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Galveston Introduction Walking Tour

Galveston, perched on a barrier island along the Gulf Coast, holds a unique place in Texas history. Its modern chapter began in the early 1800s, when the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte set up a short-lived base here鈥攄riven out by the U.S. Navy in 1821. The city itself was officially founded in 1836, soon after Texas won independence from Mexico, and was named in honor of Spanish colonial governor... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles

Historic Houses Walking Tour

Galveston鈥檚 Broadway Avenue is a living corridor of architectural ambition, lined with grand homes that speak to the city鈥檚 Gilded Age past. Most of these stately mansions were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, during a period when Galveston thrived as a key Gulf Coast port. Wealthy merchants, civic leaders, and industrialists commissioned elaborate residences here, hoping to place the... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles

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