Toltec, The

Augustus Maverick and his wife, Elizabeth Baxter Maverick, began construction of the Toltec in 1913. The site was immediately north of Dr. Maverick's boyhood home, built in 1893 by his father, William H. Maverick. The Maverick family had extensive land investments nearby and was responsible for much of San Antonio's downtown development in the late 19th century. The Toltec was intended as an investment property but also served as the family's home. Local architect Ernest P. Behles designed the building in 1913, but construction was delayed when Dr. Maverick was murdered on August 18 of that year, and it was not completed until 1915. Elizabeth Maverick and her daughters, Elizabeth Vienna and Augusta Victoria, moved into the building in 1919. The daughters acquired a two-thirds interest in the Toltec from their mother in 1942, and the remainder at the time of her death in 1968. Mrs. Maverick lived at the Toltec until shortly before she died, and Augusta Maverick Huth remained there until 1993. The property was sold out of the family in 1996. The Toltec exemplified the trend toward apartment living that gained popularity throughout the country in the early 20th century. It was among numerous small apartment houses constructed in and near San Antonio's downtown area, and is the finest example of this style remaining today in the central business district. As a fine example of early 20th century apartment construction and as the work of architect Ernest P. Behles, the Toltec is nominated to the National Register at the local level of significance under Criterion C in the area of Architecture. The period of significance is 1915, the date the building was completed. The building and its site remain largely unchanged and retain a high degree of integrity.