Logo for McNatt Contracting featuring a large stylized letter "M" inside a geometric diamond shape, with the company name "McNatt Contracting" in light tan text to the right. - McNatt Contracting

1861 Customhouse

1918 Postoffice St, Galveston, TX 77550

The Hodge Law Firm, PLLC

Millwork, HVAC, Plaster Restoration, Hardwood Floor Restoration, Custom Woodwork, Roofing

A historic building with white columns, the 1861 Customhouse stands as a classic example of a custom house’s grand architecture. - McNatt Contracting A red brick building with tall white columns and a sign reading "United States Federal Court House" above the entrance. Two wall clocks and framed notices are visible on the exterior. - McNatt Contracting A two-story brick building with white columns at the entrance, labeled "United States Federal Court House." Palm trees and small shrubs are in front of the structure. - McNatt Contracting A view looking down a wooden staircase with ornate dark railings, leading to a white door with glass panels and an exit sign above it. The walls are light-colored and two round lights hang from the ceiling. - McNatt Contracting A long balcony with tall white columns, a pale blue ceiling, and a white balustrade overlooks a city street with buildings, parked cars, and trees visible in the background. - McNatt Contracting A spacious, empty room with polished wooden floors, high ceilings, a fireplace, tall windows, recessed lighting, and doorways leading to adjacent rooms. - McNatt Contracting An empty room with hardwood floors, two large windows with dark wooden frames, beige walls, and white ceiling. There are electrical outlets on the walls and no furniture or decorations. - McNatt Contracting A spacious, empty room with high ceilings, white walls, hanging round light fixtures, decorative columns, wood flooring, and large windows letting in natural light. An open door is visible on the right side. - McNatt Contracting Empty room with polished wooden floors, cream-colored walls, tall windows with dark wood trim, and matching dark wood doors. Natural light fills the space from the large windows. - McNatt Contracting A spacious, empty room in the 1861 Customhouse features polished wooden floors, tall white columns with decorative capitals, high ceilings, and round hanging lights. Multiple doorways and windows fill the space with natural light. - McNatt Contracting A large black metal door with a circular emblem and a round handle is set into a beige wall above a wooden floor. The door has gold trim and visible hinges on the right side. - McNatt Contracting A large, open metal vault door labeled "Mosler Safe Co 1874" stands in a corner of a room with light-colored walls, white trim, and hardwood flooring. - McNatt Contracting A set of architectural plans labeled "Custom House Renovation" rests on a windowsill inside a house, with a view of grass, trees, and a brick walkway outside the window. - McNatt Contracting A set of custom house renovation blueprints is spread out on a windowsill beneath a window, with a garden visible outside. - McNatt Contracting An empty room with light green walls, large white-trimmed windows, a white ceiling with panels, and polished wooden floors. An open door leads to another similar room in the background. - McNatt Contracting Empty room with large windows, white walls, high ceiling, and wooden floor. An open door leads to another similar room in the background. Natural light fills the space. - McNatt Contracting A wide hallway with white marble floors, tall white columns, beige walls, white trim, and multiple doorways leading to other rooms. The ceiling is fitted with recessed square lights and acoustic panels. - McNatt Contracting A bright, empty room with white walls, white tiled floor, large windows, a white door, and modern ceiling light fixtures. Natural light enters through the windows on the right. - McNatt Contracting A white door with glass panels is set in a white wall, allowing a view of a hallway with white and red brick walls and large windows. The floor is white tile, and the door has a gold handle. - McNatt Contracting A bright, empty hallway with white walls and floor tiles, featuring double glass doors with sidelights at the end. An exit sign is above the doors, and a fire alarm is mounted on the left wall. - McNatt Contracting A bright, empty hallway with white walls and floors, large white columns, several doorways on each side, and a set of double doors with windows at the far end letting in natural light. - McNatt Contracting An indoor landing area with polished wooden floors, white walls, a black metal railing around a staircase, and several wooden doors leading to adjacent rooms. Wall-mounted lamps provide lighting. - McNatt Contracting A spacious, empty room with wooden floors, white walls, large windows letting in natural light, and dark wood trim and doors. Ceiling features several air vents and recessed lights. - McNatt Contracting A hallway in the historic 1861 Customhouse in New Orleans features wooden floors and white walls, with a central walkway bordered by black railings, leading to a tall window that lets natural light pour into this elegant historic space. - McNatt Contracting

Restoration Goals and Challenges

Preserve 19th-century architectural details, according to Texas Historic Commission standards, including interior mouldings and doors. McNatt Contracting was part of the 1998 restoration team when the building was occupied by the Galveston Historical Foundation. We are proud to have been able to complete the renovations and restore this historical gem to its rightful place among the landmarks of Galveston.

Key Highlights

Refinishing the beautiful pine floors upstairs, integrating modern office functionality and repairing this entire, incredible building all while maintaining the original federal style.

Historical Significance

Built in 1861, this was one of the earliest Customhouses in the southern U.S., symbolizing Galveston’s maritime commerce legacy.

Impact

Purchased by The Hodge Law Firm, we performed a complete renovation. We resuscitated the original courtroom and even preserved the original holding cell.
“That’s the fireplace mantel that was made by McNatt Contracting in 1998. It was thrown away and we picked it up and kept it in our back storage for years. When we became the prime contractor, I was able to dig that up and put it back in the building. This is a wooden replica of the original soapstone mantel, built from a photo only.” – John McNatt
White text on a light gray background reads “/FLÈUR” in all capital letters with an accent above the letter E. - McNatt Contracting

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