Milam Building
115 E. Travis St., San Antonio, TX?The Milam Building, completed in 1927 and opened in January 1928, was constructed for the Travis Investment Company, a partnership of prominent San Antonio businessmen led by Harry H. Rogers. Named for Texas Revolution hero, Ben Milam, the structure was designed by local architect George Willis who began his career in the studio of Frank Lloyd Wright, and was built by L.T. Wright Construction Company. The concrete, brick and cast stone structure was noted for its modern features, most notably an air conditioning system designed by Willis H. Carrier, founder of the Carrier Engineering Company. The building was completed during a major construction boom in downtown San Antonio that preceded the Great Depression. For a brief time after its completion, the Milam was the city's tallest building. The Milam has housed some of San Antonio's leading business professionals during its history. Most notably, it has been occupied by individuals and firms engaged in oil and gas exploration and production and related fields such as law, real estate and equipment supply. In 2014, the Milam Building remains a prominent address and is occupied by a diverse mix of business professionals. The Milam Building is eligible for the National Register under Criterion A (local level) in the area of Commerce because of its long association with all aspects of the oil and gas industry during the 20th and early 21st centuries. It is also eligible under Criterion C (local level) in the area of Architecture as one of San Antonio's most notable tall structures built during the boom period of the 1920s. It is an important local example of reinforced concrete architecture, as well as an excellent expression of the work of architect George Willis. The period of significance extends from 1927 to 1964.
Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
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.