National Register Listing

King William Historic District

a.k.a. See Also:Bonham, James Butler, Elementary School

Roughly bounded by Durango, Alamo, Guenther Sts. and the San Antonio River, San Antonio, TX
Large trees, generous lawns, picket and iron fences frame the rows of Victorian houses and mansions of the King William Historic District. The area was primarily established by prosperous German businessmen in the second half of the nineteenth century. The district is only a few blocks south of the simple, vernacular La Villita Historic District and downtown San Antonio. In contrast, the King William homes are opulent Victorian buildings with Italianate towers, mansard roofs, or fancy scroll work.

The lands now occupied by the King William Historic District, are on the meandering San Antonio River and were once an irrigated farm belonging to Mission Concepcion. When the mission were secularized, the land passed to Pedro Huizar, Vicente Amador, and Juana Fuentes, and then was purchased in the 1840s by Thomas Jefferson Devine, a San Antonio lawyer and land speculator. Devine sold most of the northern section to Catherine Elder who transferred it to her husband, Newton Mitchell, when she married in 1857. Devine and Mitchell subdivided their properties into lots. Carl Guenther, a German miller, had purchased the southwestern section of the area, in 1859, and established a mill and his home there. These have been modernized and have grown, but still form the terminus of the King William District.

Bibliography
Garner, John C, Jr. "The San Antonio Architecture Inventory, 1967-68." Historic American Buildings Survey. 1968.

100th Anniversary Pioneer Flour Mills, San Antonio, Texas 1851-1951. She Naylor Company, San Antonio. 1951.

Ramsdell, Charles. San Antonio, a Historical and Pictorial Guide University of Texas Press. Austin. 1959.
Local significance of the district:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

Texas is known for its barbecue, and one of the most famous barbecue restaurants in the state is Kreuz Market in Lockhart. The restaurant has been in operation since 1900 and is still family-owned.
Texas random facts
Bexar County, Texas, holds a significant place in the history of the Lone Star State. Native American tribes thrived in the region for centuries before the arrival of European explorers. In 1718, the Spanish established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, known as the Alamo, which became a symbol of Texas' fight for independence. The area came under Mexican control after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821.

During the Texas Revolution in 1836, the Battle of the Alamo took place, where a small group of Texan defenders valiantly fought against Mexican forces. Although the defenders ultimately lost, their bravery and sacrifice galvanized the Texan cause. Soon after, the Republic of Texas was established, and Bexar County was officially created in 1837, named after San Antonio de Béxar.

Bexar County played a vital role in the westward expansion of the United States. It became part of the United States when Texas joined as the 28th state in 1845. The county saw significant growth with the construction of railroads, the establishment of military bases like Fort Sam Houston, and the influx of European immigrants. In 1968, HemisFair '68 brought international attention to the county, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and attracting visitors from around the world. Today, Bexar County is known for its vibrant tourism industry, robust military presence, renowned healthcare institutions, and prestigious educational establishments.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Bexar County, Texas.

  • Pre-19th Century: The region that would become Bexar County was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Coahuiltecan and Lipan Apache.

  • 1718: The Spanish established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, known today as the Alamo, in what is now downtown San Antonio. This marked the beginning of Spanish colonization in the area.

  • 1821: Mexico gained independence from Spain, and the region came under Mexican control.

  • 1836: The Battle of the Alamo took place during the Texas Revolution, where a small group of Texan defenders fought against Mexican forces. Though the defenders were ultimately defeated, their resistance became a symbol of Texas independence.

  • 1837: The Republic of Texas officially established Bexar County, naming it after San Antonio de Béxar, the former Spanish name for the area.

  • 1845: Texas joined the United States as the 28th state.

  • 1861-1865: During the American Civil War, Bexar County remained part of the Confederacy.

  • Late 19th-early 20th century: The county saw growth and development with the expansion of railroads, the establishment of military bases like Fort Sam Houston, and the arrival of European immigrants.

  • 1968: HemisFair '68, a world's fair, was held in San Antonio, bringing national and international attention to the city and the county.