King William Historic District

continued from San Antonio Mini-Site

If there's a preferred address in San Antonio, it's most likely in the King William Historic District. Just a stone's throw south of the River Walk, this neighborhood boasts elegant homes, stately shade trees, and an atmosphere of grace and gentility--perfect for romantics in search of a cozy getaway in the Alamo City.

Its status as a superior neighborhood goes back to the mid-1800s, when this district was populated by the Alamo City's most successful businessmen and their families. Many of these frontier citizens were German immigrants with names like Guenther, Wulff, and Heusinger. With their wealth gained in merchandising and investing, they set about building the most lavish homes in the city, most in the grand Victorian style.

One of the most opulent of these residences was the Steves Homestead, positioned right on the banks of the river. Besides a natatorium and a carriage house, the home also boasted the finest furnishings and detail work of its era. Today it's open for public tours, as is the Guenther House next to Pioneer Flour Mills. The old mill still churns out some of the best flour gravy mix found on grocery shelves, along with cornbread, pancake, and similar mixes.

Other homes in King William are privately owned, but residents are accustomed to tour buses and pedestrians sight-seeing in the area. The two of you can enjoy a self-guided tour by picking up a brochure ("King William Area — A Walking Tour") in front of the San Antonio Conservation Society headquarters in the Anton Wulff House (107 King William St., 210-224-6163) or at a visitors center in town. The walk takes you past over three dozen stately homes.

Edward Steves Homestead
509 King William St., San Antonio
(210) 227-9160
www.saconservation.org
On a walk or a driving tour of King William, you may wonder just what the inside of these mansions is like. Satisfy your curiosity with a tour of the Steves Homestead. Once the home of German immigrant Edward Steves, founder of Steves Lumber Company, today the grand home is owned by the San Antonio Conservation Society.

The home is an example of Victorian French Second Empire style and is furnished with late 19th century antiques. One unique feature of the home is the River House, a one-story brick building at the rear of the home which contained a natorium, San Antonio's first indoor swimming pool. Today flooring has been laid over the pool and the building is used as a meeting space for the San Antonio Conservation Society.

Even older than the home is its Carriage House, built a year before the grand home. This two-story building was later used for storage. The year after the home's completion, servants' quarters were added. Today these servants' quarters serve as the visitors center.

Guenther House
205 E. Guenther, San Antonio
(210) 227-1061
www.guentherhouse.com
Built in 1860, this was the home of Carl Hilmar Guenther, founder of Pioneer Flour Mills. With its crystal chandelier, gold leaf mirrors, and piano from Stuttgart, Germany, the parlor offers a lovely glimpse of the elgance once enjoyed by the Guenther family. The home's library is now a museum, displaying pieces used by Pioneer Flour throughout the years, from Dresden china anniversary plates to cookie cutters and family photos. The San Antonio River Mill Store is housed in the former music room and bedroom, and visitors can purchase stoneware, baking accessories, and gift items here. Finally, the Guenther House Restaurant, decorated in the Art Nouveau style, serves breakfast and lunch as well as Sunday brunch.

San Antonio Art League Museum
130 King William St., San Antonio
(210) 223-1140
www.saalm.org
Built in 1896, this historic building now houses the San Antonio Art League. Changing exhibits feature various types of art, from members' current works to pieces from previous decades.