1945 Marshall Family Fishing Camp House Move

House moving isn't new, especially here on Galveston Island. That said, house moving via barge isn't something that happens every day!

The 1945 Marshall Family Fishing Camp House was moved by barge from its lot on 71st and Broadway to a new home in Offatt's Bayou after the descendants of the original owner, William Marshall, initiated the donation of the house and its contents, which were donated by the current owners.

William Marshall designed and constructed the house largely by himself using exceptionally high-quality materials. The Marshall family camp is one of many camp houses constructed by Galveston and Houston residents on the “near West End” along Teichman Road, Offatt’s Bayou, and Galveston Bay after World War II. These houses represent the first significant movement to develop residences past 61st Street for resort and weekend recreation.

The house's relocation is more than just a structural move—it represents GHF’s broader mission to preserve and revitalize Galveston’s historic resources. The house will be preserved, adapted to design standards for its new location, and eventually sold with advanced environmental systems. This project is an important demonstration of how to adapt historic buildings for our Gulf Coast environment.