King William District Homes

The King William District is a 25-block area near downtown on the south bank of the San Antonio River. In the late 1800's, this District was the most elegant residential area in the city. Prominent German merchants originally settled the area.

It was zoned as the state's first historic district, and has once again become a fashionable neighborhood. We found a spot for a late breakfast in this area, and then took a look at the architectural styles of the homes with the help of the Walking Tour Guide published by the San Antonio Conservation Society.

Carl Harnisch House, 1884

This Queen Anne house was one of the earliest brick homes in the city. Of note are the many porches and gables decorated with wooden scrollwork.
I liked the ironwork fence of this home.
The Steves Homestead, 1876

This residence is of Victorian French Second Empire design and constructed of smooth-dressed ashlar limestone. It has a concave mansard roof with dormer windows, cast iron cresting, and tall round windows. The house is operated as a house museum.
George Kalteyer House, 1892

This James Riely Gordon-designed home reflects his interest in the powerful masonry forms that are associated with the Richardsonian Romanesque style--the solid, heavy proportions; the banded, arched window heads; and the turrets.

Ike West Home,1887

Scaffolding made it difficult to see the Second Empire-style home's unusual entrance that suggested that it was adapted from a pattern book design for a corner lot.
Norton/Polk/Mathis House, 18761880

Preservation architect O'Neil Ford brought this 1876 Italianate home back to life for Walter Mathis in 1967. Villa Finale was Mr. Mathis' name for his last residence.

Mathis contributed to the resurgence of the King William neighborhood by spearheading the restoration of over a dozen homes.

Carl Wilhelm August Groos House, 1880

Designed by Alfred Giles, this is a superb example of Italian Villa Style. Delicate cast iron balustrades, columns, and gingerbread define the porches.
Adolph Heuslinger House, 1883-85

This Italianate house was built of brick and later covered in plaster.
Max Oppenheimer House, 1900

Built at the beginning of this century, this brick house is a superb example of the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival style with arches of stone and brick.

Ernst Altgelt House, 1878

This two-story limestone residence with Victorian galleries is as significant for the activities of its builder as it is for its architectural character. Ernst Altgelt, a surveyor, was responsible for the platting of the King William neighborhood. He named the street King William for Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia.
Anton Wulff House, 1870

Built of native limestone, this house is reminiscent of Italian hillside villas with its square tower (partially hidden) and paired windows.


We reached the end of King William Street and headed back to the Guenther House along Madison Street. The next photos are a sample of homes along this street, but no details are available about any of them.