Galveston Historic Overnights: Levy's Electric House
Built in 1912 by Max Levy.
This English Jacobean-style home is typical of the residential size and design of homes in the first decade of the 20th century. Noticeably smaller than ornate homes built prior to 1900, the architectural preferences that took hold in the decade that followed the Storm of 1900 were likely influenced by the great damage incurred by even the grandest homes, as well as the trepidation of those building anew. Modest (relatively) though it may be on the outside, it's notable for several features that can be found on the inside.... remnants of the home's first owner, Max Levy.
About the Original Owners
The home was built in 1911 for Max Levy, an electrical and mechanical engineer for the city of Galveston. His company, the Max Levy Electric Company, won the bid to install the street lights for the cities of Galveston and Houston. It is rumored that because of his expertise, he installed the first residential phone in Galveston in this home.
In addition to the early addition of a telephone, Levy also made many upgrades that were unusual for the era. For example, push button lights (now solely ornamental) were added to illuminate the entry if the French doors were closed. There is another push button that remains for the door under the stairs, which illuminated when the door was opened (also non-functioning).
Later Owners
John (Jack) and Alberta Siller, ca. 1960-2013
Most of what is known about the house was oral history passed down by "Mad Jack" Siller, the son of the second owners, John (Jack) and Alberta Siller who purchased the home from Max Levy in 1960 and lived there until their deaths in 2010. Jack and Alberta worked for University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and had six children, three boys and three girls. "Mad Jack" resided in the apartment garage, which was located where the pool is now, after he moved out of his parent's attic. Unfortunately, the garage was destroyed in 2008 during Hurricane Ike.
The attic of the home is a true third story with functioning windows all along the perimeter. Two of the Siller boys also resided in the attic. Further into the attic, one can still see paint on the shelves from where the boys made and painted model airplanes. There was a fire in the attic the night before the Levys sold the home to the Sillers, rumored to have been caused by teenagers smoking cigarettes. You can see evidence of this fire—some minor cosmetic damage and charring—still today.
Discoveries During Renovations
- Hanging in the new master closet, you will find a small chandelier that was originally in the dining room. When the electricians were rewiring it, they removed it and set it on the ground, breaking many of the pins that held it together.
- On the stairway landing behind the door, there was a balcony overlooking the kitchen and dining area. The kids used to sneak down after bedtime and listen to the adults talk. If you open the door in the stairway, behind the AC duct work, you can still see the banister of the balcony.
- The previous owners were pleasantly surprised to find that the ceilings were not as low as originally thought. When the AC was added in the 1970s, dead space was discovered above the ceilings. Contractors removed the ceilings and lifted them up to their original height.