GALVESTON – Perched just off the beach at 1410 Miramar Drive on Galveston’s West End sits one of the island’s most curious landmarks: the Kettle House. What began as an industrial steel tank has since transformed into a beloved, award-winning Airbnb with global appeal.

The Kettle House originated in the late 1960s as a steel sphere crafted by Graver Tank & Manufacturing for an unknown client. When the contract fell through, WWII veteran and skilled tank welder Clayton E. Stokley acquired the structure, envisioning a one-of-a-kind convenience and liquor store.

Stokley and his family painstakingly disassembled, moved, and reassembled the tank at its current seaside location, incorporating a spiral staircase and open-concept layout. But the store never opened. A sudden stroke sidelined Stokley, and his passing in 2005 left the project incomplete. The structure sat unfinished for over a decade—its upper level boarded-up and frequently vandalized—though his family kept up occasional maintenance.

That changed in 2017, when Galveston locals Michael and Ashley Cordray—known for their HGTV shows Big Texas Fixand Saving Galveston—bought the dilapidated structure with plans to breathe new life into it.

“Like many, I’ve loved this place since I was a kid,” Michael told KGTX 7. “I just didn’t want it to disappear, and the only way to guarantee that was to take on the project ourselves.”

The Cordrays gave the Kettle House a full mid-century-modern renovation. They added a wraparound deck, two bedrooms, updated plumbing and HVAC, and brought modern comforts to the once-abandoned shell. With its smart, open layout, the now-stylish two-bedroom, one-bath rental feels remarkably spacious.

“I didn’t have any interest in buying the property at first,” Ashley admitted to KGTX 7, “but now have no regrets.” She added, “It certainly offers a unique glimpse into what arguably shouldn’t be a house.”

In 2021, the couple’s efforts were recognized with the Sally B. Wallace Preservation Award from the Galveston Historical Foundation. Featured on HGTV and praised online, the Kettle House has become both a tourist attraction and a destination for architecture lovers.

Today, it’s a popular Airbnb offering high-speed Wi‑Fi, a 4K television, a fully equipped kitchen, and a spiral staircase leading to a cozy master suite. While some purists lament the deck and paint that conceal much of the original metal exterior, guests routinely describe the space as “unique and special,” especially for its proximity to the beach and attention to design.

The Kettle House, once a forgotten steel tank, now stands as a symbol of creative reuse—and a testament to the power of vision, preservation, and a little Galveston grit.

Photo credit: KGTX 7/Whisper Williams