San Antonio: King William National Historic District

San Antonio: King William National Historic District

  • <p>Edward Steves Homestead Museum, built in 1876 (Library of Congress)</p> <p>Two storey, flat roofed house with second floor front balcony and a decorative rail on roof. Palm trees along side of house</p>
  • <p>Edward Steves, 1873. Painted by Carl G. von Iwonski. (UTSA Special Collections Library)</p> <p>Portrait of Edward Steves</p>
  • <p>Edward Steves’ old dwelling built by himself in 1856 on Cypress Creek in Kerr County. (UTSA Special Collections Library)</p> <p>People standing in front of a house with a covered porch and an outbuilding, a split rail fence along unpaved road. Photo labeled “Steves old dwelling built by himself in 1856 on Cypress Creek, Kerr County, Texas. This picture is taken in 1886” </p>
  • <p>San Antonio River, Mill Bridge, 1907 (University of Houston Libraries)</p> <p>Colorized postcards of horse-drawn buggies fording a river with two large buildings in background. Labeled San Antonio River from Mill Bridge</p>
  • <p>Villa Finale, built by hardware merchant Russel C. Norton in 1876.</p> <p>Two storey building with covered porch and balcony and a tower on one side of building</p>

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The King William District, the first historic district in Texas listed in the National Register of Historic Places – was home to many German Texans. A walking tour features 14 sites within the district, including the historic bandstand, River Walk, flour mill, various bistros and restaurants, and, of course, mansions. Two of the district’s mansions – the opulent Villa Finale, and the beautifully restored, three-story Edward Steves Homestead – are open for self-guided tours. The grounds of the Steves Homestead include a carriage house, wash house, and former servants’ quarters converted to a visitors’ center.

Credit for the district’s revitalization belongs to preservationist Walter Nold Mathis, in part, whose final residence – Villa Finale – is the only Texas property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

King William National Historic District

  • South of downtown and bounded by Durango, South St. Mary’s, Eagleland and the San Antonio River, San Antonio, TX
  • 210-227-8786
  • Visit Website
  • National Register of Historic Places