National Register Listing

Maverick-Carter House

a.k.a. Henry C. and Ella G. Carter House

119 Taylor St., San Antonio, TX

The Maverick-Carter House is significant at the local level under Criterion B for its association with Aline Badger Carter who lived there from 1914 until her death in 1972.

The Maverick-Carter House was built in  1893 by William Harvey Maverick, a successful  real estate investor  and son of Samuel  Augustus  Maverick, early Texas settler  and signer  of the Texas Declaration of Independence.  Maverick built his house on the northside of San Antonio's central business district a short distance from Avenue C (Broadway) where many  San Antonians were building residences in the  late 19th century.  The house was designed  by Alfred Giles, a prominent local architect who drew building plans for many of San Antonio's most prominent citizens, including no fewer than ten buildings for various members of the Maverick Family.  When completed. Maverick's house was  one of Giles'  several fine expressions of Richardsonian  Romanesque architecture in San Antonio.  William Maverick fumished the house with  objects  purchased during his European  travels,  and lived there until  1910, when he sold the house to his son, Robert.  In  1914, the house was sold to Henry Champe whose son still  owned it in  1997.  In 1916, Carter  married Aline Badger,  an accomplished  and unique woman in early 20th century  San Antonio who made changes to the house reflective of her interests in religion and astronomy.  Long-active at nearby  St. Mark's Episcopal Church,  she  remodeled  the library  as a chapel  and installed carved wooden chairs  and stained  glass windows with religious motifs.  Her knowledge  and love of astronomy  inspired her to purchase a telescope and construct  an  observatory  atop the house.  Active in social service work,  she  hosted  an annual  Christmas party for the City's orphans. Following Aline Carter's death in  1972, her  son, David, fully restored  the house.  The Maverick-Carter House is significant at the local level under Criterion B for its association  with Aline Badger  Carter who lived there from 1914 until  her death in 1972.  The house also meets Criterion C in the area of Architecture as an  outstanding  example  of Alfred Giles' Richardsonian  Romanesque design that incorporates  a chapel  and  observatory  reflecting the life-long interests of Mrs. Carter.  The house retains a high degree of integrity and is noted for its stonework, wood paneling, moldings, mantelpieces and parquet flooring.
Bibliography
Bexar County Deed Records

Bobbitt, Lynn Osboume. Preliminary draft of Maverick-Carter National Register nomination, 1979.
Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library Vertical Files, San Antonio, Texas.

Davis, Ellis A. and Edwin H. Grobe, comp. and ed. New Encyclopedia of Texas. Dallas: Texas Development Bureau, c. 1930.
Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Social History

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

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.

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The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, is one of the largest universities in the United States and has produced many notable alumni, including several U.S. presidents.
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.