Are you looking to show your loved ones a quirky part of Houston history over the Thanksgiving holiday? Or have you always wondered why this house near Memorial Park is covered in beer cans? Either way, the iconic The Beer Can House on Malone Street has been a fixture in the neighborhood since 1968. So, how can you visit, and who created the one-of-a-kind house?
The History of the House
John Milkovich, an upholsterer for the Southern Pacific Railroad, purchased the property with his wife, Mary, in 1942. The couple raised their three children there and continued to make a life for themselves in Houston. In 1968, John began to flex his creative muscles around the house. First, he and his wife installed a patio cover in the backyard, so he could have a place to drink beer after work. Then, John designed a colorful patio fence covered in marbles from his collection of over 14,000 marbles. John also collected empty beer cans for 17 years. After he retired from his job in 1976, he had more time to work on his house projects and decided to put his beer can collection to good use, adding aluminum beer siding to his house. The house is now covered in flattened beer cans.
How To Visit The House
The Beer Can House is free and open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., but will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. You can participate in a guided group tour and hands-on creative workshops if you request ahead of time. On the last Sunday of every month, gather with other creatives to help upkeep the house and learn new restoration skills.
new restoration skills.
Have you been to The Beer Can House? Tell me all about it!
Speaking of beer: What are the best breweries you can visit after you go on a tour of The Beer Can House?
