Edward Steves Homestead

Edward Steves Homestead is a three-story limestone residence at 509 King William Street featuring a mansard roof and thick exterior walls facing the San Antonio River. The compound includes several structures: the main house, a carriage house, a river house, and servants' quarters spread across the property.

Built in 1876 for lumber company founder Edward Steves, the residence was designed by architect Alfred Giles in Second Empire style. The property became a museum in 1952 after Edna Steves Vaughan donated it to preserve the family's history.

The mansion displays the lifestyle of German merchants in Texas through original furnishings, including a mosaic table depicting St. Peter's Square. The way rooms are arranged and decorated shows how a wealthy German-American family lived during this period.

The main house opens for guided or self-guided tours during regular hours, and the grounds along the river offer pleasant places to walk. Plan time to explore the different buildings and see how this site fits within the larger King William Historic District neighborhood.

The river house contained one of San Antonio's first indoor swimming pools, a luxury that was rare at the end of the 1800s. The main house also received early electrical wiring and telephone lines, making it a technological leader among homes in the region.

Location: San Antonio

Architects: Alfred Giles

Architectural style: Second Empire style

Part of: King William Historic District

Address: 509 King William St.

GPS coordinates: 29.41278,-98.49500

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:01