Carl Wilhelm August Groos House, San Antonio
The Carl Wilhelm August Groos House in San Antonio is a striking example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, designed in 1880 by renowned architect Alfred Giles and constructed by builder John H. Kampmann. This cream-colored limestone mansion, situated on 0.7 acres along the San Antonio River, was commissioned by Carl Wilhelm August Groos, a German immigrant who moved to Texas in 1848. Groos and his brothers initially established a successful freighting firm in New Braunfels before he relocated to San Antonio in 1872, where he became a founding member of the Groos National Bank.
Distinguished by its elegant blue-green columns, intricate iron detailing, and Corinthian capitals, the two-story home boasts covered porches that reflect the ornate charm of the era. The property is surrounded by a four-foot limestone wall crowned with decorative iron fencing, accessible through an iron gate flanked by limestone piers on King William Street.
The meticulously landscaped grounds adhere to Victorian principles of symmetry and order, featuring a central stone-paved walkway that divides the lawn into four quadrants. The lush greenery includes live oaks, Texas sabal palms, and decorative crape myrtles. The northern cul-de-sac of the lawn hosts a circular pool with a fountain centerpiece depicting a cherub surrounded by ferns, adding to the property's stately appeal.
After serving as the Groos family residence until 1948, the house transitioned into various private ownerships, including its acquisition by the San Antonio Council of the Girl Scouts in 1957. It was later restored and remains privately owned. The Carl Wilhelm August Groos House, recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1977, is a contributing structure within the King William Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Its rich history and architectural splendor make it a treasured landmark in San Antonio.
Distinguished by its elegant blue-green columns, intricate iron detailing, and Corinthian capitals, the two-story home boasts covered porches that reflect the ornate charm of the era. The property is surrounded by a four-foot limestone wall crowned with decorative iron fencing, accessible through an iron gate flanked by limestone piers on King William Street.
The meticulously landscaped grounds adhere to Victorian principles of symmetry and order, featuring a central stone-paved walkway that divides the lawn into four quadrants. The lush greenery includes live oaks, Texas sabal palms, and decorative crape myrtles. The northern cul-de-sac of the lawn hosts a circular pool with a fountain centerpiece depicting a cherub surrounded by ferns, adding to the property's stately appeal.
After serving as the Groos family residence until 1948, the house transitioned into various private ownerships, including its acquisition by the San Antonio Council of the Girl Scouts in 1957. It was later restored and remains privately owned. The Carl Wilhelm August Groos House, recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1977, is a contributing structure within the King William Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Its rich history and architectural splendor make it a treasured landmark in San Antonio.
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Carl Wilhelm August Groos House on Map
Sight Name: Carl Wilhelm August Groos House
Sight Location: San Antonio, USA (See walking tours in San Antonio)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Antonio, USA (See walking tours in San Antonio)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Antonio, Texas
Create Your Own Walk in San Antonio
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Antonio is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
San Antonio Introduction Walking Tour
San Antonio, one of Texas' major cities, boasts rich colonial heritage. The city was named by a 1691 Spanish expedition for Saint Anthony of Padua, whose feast day is June 13. At the time of European encounter, the area near the San Antonio River Valley was inhabited by Payaya Indians who called it Yanaguana, the "refreshing waters".
In 1709, Spanish Father Antonio de Olivares... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
In 1709, Spanish Father Antonio de Olivares... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
King William Historical District Tour
San Antonio鈥檚 first 鈥渟uburb鈥� and the very first historical district in Texas, revitalized during the 1960s, the King William District encompasses 25 blocks south of downtown and east of the San Antonio River.
Back in the late 1800s, it was the most elegant residential area in the city. Settled by German immigrants, the neighborhood was named after Kaiser Wilhelm of Prussia and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Back in the late 1800s, it was the most elegant residential area in the city. Settled by German immigrants, the neighborhood was named after Kaiser Wilhelm of Prussia and... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
River Walk Tour
The San Antonio River Walk (also known as Paseo del R铆o or simply The River Walk) is a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River, one story beneath the streets of the city. A successful special-case pedestrian street, this walk winds and loops under bridges as two parallel sidewalks lined with restaurants and shops, connecting major tourist draws and attractions that add to its... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles