National Register Listing

Light House

300 Argyle Ave, Alamo Heights, TX
The Light House, designed by Brooks Martin with Harold Wong, is one of the finest midcentury modernist residences in the San Antonio area. Constructed in 1961, the house appears as a glass jewel box floating in a garden at the northwest corner of Argyle Avenue and Morton Streets in Alamo Heights. Martin employed slender steel columns on an innovative concrete foundation to support a flat roof with deep overhangs, shielding the home's interior from the hot Texas sun filtering through its glass walls. Utilizing principles common to modernist residential dwellings of the first half of the twentieth century-especially those built in southern California Martin's design seamlessly blends the Light House with its designed landscape, considering the placement of large trees in his site plan and cutting spaces for them in the overhanging roof eaves. The house opens to patios and gardens on all sides. In 1962 the Texas Society of Architects recognized Martin with an AIA Award of Merit for his design of the Light House, and the house is featured in the publication A Guide to San Antonio Architecture. The one-story Light House is nominated to the National Register of Historic Places at the local level of significance under Criterion C for Architecture, as an exemplary modernist residence designed by San Antonio architect Brooks Martin.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

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.

architecture houses residential buildings
The Texas Rangers, a famous law enforcement agency, were first organized in 1835 to protect settlers from Native American attacks.
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 concise overview of the key events in the history 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.