National Register Listing

Navarro, Jose Antonio, House Complex

a.k.a. Navarro House

228--232 S. Loredo St., San Antonio, TX
The three stuccoed limestone buildings that make up the Navarro House Complex, in San Antonio, were the home and business place of Jose Antonio Navarro, a significant figure in Texas history. Navarro was born in San Antonio, February 27, 1795, and was one of the two native Texans who signed the Texas Deer claration of Independence, March 2, 1836. He was an active proponent of independence for Texas in his youth against the Spanish, and later against the Mexican government. He was a friend of Stephen F. Austin, a representative of Texas in the Mexican State Legislature in 1824, and assisted in colonization projects of Milam, Wavell, and DeWitt. Navarro had land grants in five counties, operated a general store, and practiced law. Frequently elected representative of Bexar County before and after independence and a member of the committee of twenty-one which drafted the constitution of the Republic, he was also delegate to the Convention which voted for Texas annexation in 1845.

Navarro was a commissioner on the ill-fated Santa Fe Expedition in 1841, and was sentenced to death by Santa Anna; later the sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. Navarro did spend three years in the dungeon of San Juan de Ulloa before his parole and escape.

In 1846 Navarro County was created in North Central Texas, its county seat, Corsicana, named for the birthplace of Navarro parents — Corsica. As late as 1861, Jose Navarro was still politically active and attended the Austin meeting to encourage secession. All four of his sons fought in the Confederate Army. Navarro died in San Antonio in 1871.

The Navarro House Complex is significant not only as the residence of an important Texas patriot, but architecturally significant as examples of San Antonio buildings of the 1850s. The complex was purchased by the San Antonio Conservation Society in 1960 and restored in 1962. Brooks Martin, architect for the restoration received the Texas Architectural Society Award for Restoration in 1970 for his work on the Navarro Complex.

The main dwelling and the other buildings have been furnished with antiques of Texas, Louisiana, and Mexico, known to have been in use in San Antonio during Navarro's lifetime. The office contains an exhibit of pictures and documents telling the Navarro story. The kitchen is used for social functions of the San Antonio Conservation Society.

Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1964.
Bibliography
Ramsdell, Charles. San Antonio. (Austin,1959)

San Antonio Conservation Society files, 1971

Texas State Historical Survey Committee marker files Webb, Walter P.,ed. Handbook of Texas. (Austin,1952) San Antonio chapter, American Institute of Architects, Historic San Antonio. San Antonio, 1963.
Local significance of the building:
Politics/government; 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.

politics government 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.