National Register Listing

Meerscheidt, Otto, House

322 Adams St., San Antonio, TX

The house was built in 1892 by Otto Meerscheidt, a German immigrant who became a prominent banker in San Antonio. He lived there until his death in 1939.

Otto Meerscheidt, who was a dominant figure in San Antonio's banking history, was born on January 21, 1871, near Round Top, Texas, to Arthur and Amanda Karoline von Rosenberg Meerscheidt. The noble lineage of his family can be traced back to Otto von Rosenberg who came from Sweden to Kurland in 1500. Otto, who was the twelfth in a family of thirteen, grew up in La Grange. He later followed his brothers to San Antonio, where he enrolled in Alamo Business College.
With the founding of the Alamo National Bank in San Antonio in 1891, Meerscheidt began his business career as a teller. In 1919 he became the bank's president and left in 1933 to manage the regional office of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. He also helped implement the San Antonio Clearing House Association and the Federal Reserve for San Antonio. Otto was a shrewd, incisive man, and was also considered a magnificent practical joker. He was, however, compassionate and helpful to the unfortunate who needed loan money. He headed a bank staff for twenty years that was fiercely loyal to him and one of the most cohesive and efficient teams in the bank's history.
Otto Meerscheidt and his family continued to occupy the house on Adams St. until his death in 1939. The Masonic Lodge, which purchased the property at this time and renovated the second floor to accommodate a large meeting hall, maintained this structure as their headquarters for nearly forty years. In September of 1978 the present owners and current residents, Mr. and Mrs. E. Spencer, purchased the house from the Masonic Lodge and have recently made plans for its partial restoration.
Bibliography
Alamo National Bank Archives

Ben Head, M.A. Thesis on the history of the Alamo National Bank. (Southwest Texas State University)
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

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
Audiobooks about the history of Texas.
Texas is also home to the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The venue covers three acres and can hold up to 6,000 people.
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.