The Story of the Henry Henke Building: A Houston Landmark from the 1880s

Origins of the Building (circa 1880)

The Henry Henke Building was constructed around 1880, shortly after local grocer Henry Henke acquired the property from W.R. and Nellie McKee that same year. Henke, a German immigrant and successful Houston businessman, was already operating grocery stores in the region by this time. The building served as the Fifth Ward branch of his growing grocery enterprise.

Architecturally, the building is a two‑story masonry structure, notable for its Italianate design, decorative detailing, and distinctive polygonal footprint, attributes that make it the oldest and most decorative building in Houston’s Warehouse area.

The Neighborhood: Where “the Railroad Met the Sea”

During the building’s formative years, the Warehouse District was a hub of commerce. Rail lines connected directly to Buffalo Bayou, bringing goods, travelers, and opportunity into a rapidly growing city. Henke’s Fifth Ward Grocery capitalized on this prime location, serving both local residents and the bustling flow of trade passing through the area.

At the time, the neighborhood’s streets were constantly being renamed a(n ongoing challenge for historical researchers). For instance, the present-day Nance Street had previously cycled through names like John Street, Walnut, Hickory, and Rothwell as Houston modernized.

Henry Henke: The Grocer Behind the Building

To understand the building, one must understand its founder. Henry Henke, born in Germany in 1851, learned the grocery trade in New Orleans before moving to Texas in the early 1870s. His first Houston store opened on Congress Street across from Market Square, where he introduced innovations such as artificial ice production and more modern retail practices. His businesses eventually evolved into the Henke & Pillot grocery chain (later purchased and rebranded by Kroger).

The Fifth Ward Grocery Building was part of this early expansion, representing Henke’s strategy of serving both commercial and working‑class neighborhoods.

A Landmark With Many Lives

The building didn’t remain a grocery forever. Over the decades, it housed a saloon, billiard hall, restaurant, and even a café that remained in operation as late as 1980. These changing uses reflect both the adaptability of the structure and the shifting character of the neighborhood it anchors.

Despite changes to the first‑floor façade, the building’s original arched upper‑story features remain visible today, and preservation experts note that alterations to the front are reversible, offering hope for future restoration.

Historic Designation and Preservation Efforts

In 2001, the Henry Henke Building received official recognition from the City of Houston as a historic landmark, alongside two other 19th‑century structures on Nance Street. Preservationists praised the building for its architectural integrity and for serving as a “visible reminder of the development, heritage, and cultural diversity” of Houston.

Its longtime owner, Bill Lipscomb of Blumenthal Inc., has expressed ongoing interest in restoring the property and even hopes to see it listed on the National Register of Historic Places; an acknowledgment of both the building’s architectural merit and Henke’s lasting impact on Houston’s retail history.

Why the Henry Henke Building Matters Today

The Henry Henke Building stands as more than just a relic of 1880s Houston. It tells a story of immigration, entrepreneurship, architecture, and the evolution of a neighborhood that played a foundational role in the city’s growth. Its survival through nearly 150 years of change speaks to the durability of good workmanship and the enduring value of historic preservation.

As Houston continues to evolve, buildings like this offer a window into the past and a reminder of the individuals who helped shape the city into the thriving metropolis it is today.