Looking for something truly unique and breathtaking to see? Why not walk through the King William District in San Antonio, Texas? Located south of downtown along the beautiful San Antonio River, the King William District was settled by prominent German businessmen in the 1800s. In the 1870s, the main street, King William Street, was named in honor of King Wilhelm I, King of Prussia. At this time to the folks in the San Antonio area, King William District was known as “Sauerkraut Bend”.
At the visitors’ center, behind the Steves House, you can pick up an extremely helpful guide for the King William walking tour which lists many of the houses in this area and gives a brief history of each. During your walk of this area, you will find the most elegant and historical homes. One famous home, the Steves Homestead House, located at 509 King William Street, is open to the public for guided and self-guided tours. Constructed out of smooth-dressed ashlar limestone, the elegant Steves Home is a three-story, rectangular block shaped home with a concave roof, and tall rounded windows, and cast iron cresting.
Photo: Cathy L. Kozub
As you enter into the house and turn to your right, you will find this stunning room with this elegant grand piano and the most elegant furniture. This home was built for Edward Steves in 1876, the founder of Steves Lumber Company. The furnishings in this house reflect the lifestyle of this prominent family who lived in this house for 53 years.
Photo: Cathy L. Kozub
In 1952, the property was donated to the San Antonio Conservation Society and has been a museum since 1954. In 1972, this home became designated by the National Register Historic District, becoming a Historic Place and a Texas Historic Landmark.
Photo: Cathy L. Kozub
Steves House is open daily from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. except on major holidays. This is a self-guided tour costing $7.50 for people ages 13 and over.
Guided tours of the Homestead, led by a trained docent or staff member, are also available Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
To arrange a guided group tour, please download the Group Tour Form and follow the instructions.
- Adults: $10.00
- Seniors 65+, active military, students: $7.50
- Children under 12: Free
Call (210) 255-5924 for email [email protected] to confirm availability or visit the Stevens Homestead House Museum’s website at www.saconservation.org. All proceeds from ticket sales go toward the upkeep and preservation of the property.
Photo: Cathy L. Kozub
Many of the furnishings are from the original occupants and their descendants. Also on the property are the River House at the rear of the Steves Homestead property with an indoor swimming pool, the Steves Carriage House (1875), which was used for storage during the construction of Steves Homestead and the Servants’ Quarters (1877), which housed a gardener and stable boy and is now the visitors’ center. The King William District is truly a must see! It’s absolutely breath-taking and a wonderful lesson in history.
References:
www.saconservation.org
www.sanantonio.gov
